List of light sources


This is a list of sources of light, including both natural and artificial processes that emit light. This article focuses on sources that produce wavelengths from about 390 to 700 nanometers, called visible light.

Incandescence

Incandescence is the emission of light from a hot body as a result of its temperature.

Lamps

Luminescence is emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat.

Aventurescence

In gemology, aventurescence is an optical reflectance effect seen in certain gems.

Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence is light resulting from biochemical reaction by a living organism.
Cathodoluminescence is light resulting from a luminescent material being struck by electrons.

Chemiluminescence

Chemiluminescence is light resulting from a chemical reaction.

Cryoluminescence

Cryoluminescence is the emission of light when an object is cooled.

Crystalloluminescence

Crystalloluminescence is light produced during crystallization.

Electric discharge (Electrical energy.)

Electrochemiluminescence is light resulting from electrochemical reaction.

Electroluminescence

Electroluminescence is light resulting from an electric current being passed through a substance.
Mechanoluminescence is light resulting from a mechanical action on a solid.
Photoluminescence is light resulting from absorption of photons.
Radioluminescence is light resulting from bombardment by ionizing radiation.

Thermoluminescence

Thermoluminescence is light from the re-emission of absorbed energy when a substance is heated.