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List of light sources
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<h2 id="incandescence">Incandescence</h2> <p>Incandescence is the emission of light from a hot body as a result of its temperature. </p> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Incandescence/8Tng7IuE">Incandescence</a></p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Nernst_lamp/oEYrvMCW">Nernst lamp</a> – Early form of lamp using an incandescent ceramic rod</li> <li><a href="/facts/Incandescent_light_bulb/31frjg0A">Incandescent light bulb</a> – Electric light bulb with a resistively heated wire filament</li> <li><a href="/facts/Volcanic_eruption/AwqpzdaG">Volcanic eruption</a> – Volcanic event</li></ul> <h3>Combustion</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Combustion/ohQoWj8z">Combustion</a></p> <h4>Lamps</h4> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Argand_lamp/E2XRFH6m">Argand lamp</a> – Type of oil lamp invented in 1780</li> <li><a href="/facts/Carbide_lamp/YQkr2aGe">Carbide lamp</a> – Acetylene-burning lamps</li> <li><a href="/facts/Coleman_Lantern/tykTEftt">Coleman lantern</a> – Series of pressure lamps</li> <li><a href="/facts/Betty_lamp/beGAlYjY">Betty lamp</a> – Oil or grease burning lamp originating from Europe</li> <li><a href="/facts/Butter_lamp/gRxWHeQE">Butter lamp</a> – Lamps traditionally burning clarified yak butter</li> <li><a href="/facts/Flash-lamp/CnkKudW1">Flash-lamp</a> – Electrically ignited photographic light source</li> <li><a href="/facts/Gas_lighting/HDfak36f">Gas lighting</a> – Type of artificial light</li> <li><a href="/facts/Gas_mantle/d56ATf6b">Gas mantle</a> – Device for generating bright light when heated by a flame</li> <li><a href="/facts/Kerosene_lamp/tFBCrVm5">Kerosene lamp</a> – Type of lighting device that uses kerosene as a fuel</li> <li><a href="/facts/Lantern/m6auBTAq">Lantern</a> – Portable lighting devices</li> <li><a href="/facts/Limelight/8ASnGSGk">Limelight</a> – Type of stage lighting once used in theatres and music halls</li> <li><a href="/facts/Oil_lamp/g69IsMsg">Oil lamp</a> – Lamp used for lighting by burning oil</li> <li><a href="/facts/Tilley_lamp/GfXRT8uA">Tilley lamp</a> – Pressurized kerosene lamps made by the Tilley company in the UK</li></ul> <h4>Other</h4> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Argon_flash/SxBh5eQJ">Argon flash</a> – Single-use source of very short and extremely bright flash of light - shock wave</li> <li><a href="/facts/Brazier/rpjVxovs">Brazier</a> – Container used to burn charcoal or other solid fuel</li> <li><a href="/facts/Bunsen_burner/Q4BpEuFU">Bunsen burner</a> – Laboratory device used to make fire from fuel and oxidizer gases</li> <li><a href="/facts/Candle/3d0EwvR6">Candle</a> – Wick embedded in solid flammable substance</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ember/mUUpbEUg">Ember</a> – A hot lump of slowly burning solid fuel, usually associated with a fire</li> <li><a href="/facts/Explosive/sUme5Pp8">Explosive</a> – Substance that can explode</li> <li><a href="/facts/Fire/M6XwR3am">Fire</a> – Rapid and hot oxidation of a material</li> <li><a href="/facts/Fire_whirl/gmH1s8Nd">Fire whirl</a> – Whirlwind induced by and often composed of fire</li> <li><a href="/facts/Fireworks/sPEQcu3h">Fireworks</a> – Low explosive pyrotechnic devices for entertainment</li> <li><a href="/facts/Flamethrower/rQ6djWsx">Flamethrower</a> – Ranged incendiary device</li> <li><a href="/facts/Muzzle_flash/M6apgBXV">Muzzle flash</a> – Light created by gunfire</li> <li><a href="/facts/Rubens_tube/yTNcJFsl">Rubens tube</a> – Physics apparatus for demonstrating acoustic standing waves in a tube</li> <li><a href="/facts/Torch/kFWpbjzr">Torch</a> – Stick with a flaming end used as a source of light</li></ul> <h3>Nuclear and high-energy particle</h3> <p class="note">Main articles: <a href="/facts/Nuclear_physics/fzQbt1aF">Nuclear physics</a> and <a href="/facts/Particle_physics/YgIuyj2t">Particle physics</a></p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Annihilation/tm55RWnf">Annihilation</a> – Collision of a particle and its antiparticle</li> <li><a href="/facts/Nuclear_reaction/202yClUr">Nuclear reaction</a> – Transformation of a nuclide to another <ul><li><a href="/facts/Nuclear_fission/LfkIylvm">Nuclear fission</a> – Nuclear reaction splitting an atom into multiple parts</li> <li><a href="/facts/Nuclear_fusion/hP0gLDqj">Nuclear fusion</a> – Process of combining atomic nuclei</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Nuclear_weapon/QVdBcMdm">Nuclear weapon</a> – Explosive weapon that utilizes nuclear reactions</li> <li><a href="/facts/Cherenkov_radiation/lSPJAC3U">Cherenkov radiation</a> – Electromagnetic radiation from a charged particle in a medium</li> <li><a href="/facts/Synchrotron_radiation/mTsSKmRz">Synchrotron radiation</a> – Electromagnetic radiation</li> <li><a href="/facts/Free-electron_laser/ew2F96XV">Free-electron laser</a> – Laser using electron beam in vacuum as gain medium</li> <li><a href="/facts/Bremsstrahlung/XafQtbx6">Bremsstrahlung</a> – Electromagnetic radiation due to deceleration of charged particles</li></ul> <h3>Celestial and atmospheric</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Astronomical_object/BCHLa0Q2">Astronomical object</a></p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Astronomical_object/BCHLa0Q2">Astronomical objects</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Sun/CadPCVHh">Sun</a> (<a href="/facts/Sunlight/WPkJRC7s">sunlight</a>, <a href="/facts/Solar_radiation/SI26I7aD">solar radiation</a>) <ul><li><a href="/facts/Stellar_corona/W4WNqV9u">Stellar corona</a> – Outermost layer of a star's atmosphere</li> <li><a href="/facts/Photosphere/32a139LB">Photosphere</a> – Star's outer shell from which light is radiated</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Star/euBFuo07">Star</a> (<a href="/facts/Starlight/nXTYlHSz">Starlight</a>) <ul><li><a href="/facts/Nova/H1GcmKXT">Nova</a> / <a href="/facts/Supernova/Pfo2J23l">supernova</a> / <a href="/facts/Hypernova/7f0l3sQB">hypernova</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Galaxy/zCyUvEf7">Galaxy</a> – Large gravitationally bound system of stars and interstellar matter <ul><li><a href="/facts/Milky_Way/ulF6lccN">Milky Way</a> – Galaxy containing the Solar System</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Star_cluster/Crs7Y6me">Star cluster</a> – Group of stars</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Deep-sky_object/BwCgVn5p">Deep-sky object</a> – Any astronomical object that is not an individual star <ul><li><a href="/facts/Quasar/HS96328l">Quasar</a> – Active galactic nucleus (AGN) containing a supermassive black hole</li> <li><a href="/facts/Accretion_disk/8zJXshat">Accretion disk</a> – Structure formed by diffuse material in orbital motion around a massive central body</li> <li><a href="/facts/Blazar/gtIlQjQ5">Blazar</a> – Very compact quasi-stellar radio source</li> <li><a href="/facts/Magnetar/By90KFyJ">Magnetar</a> – Type of neutron star with a strong magnetic field</li> <li><a href="/facts/Pulsar/f8c7S5LQ">Pulsar</a> – Rapidly rotating neutron star</li></ul></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Atmospheric_entry/p7TMk9sa">Atmospheric entry</a> – Passage of an object through the gases of an atmosphere from outer space <ul><li><a href="/facts/Meteor/e6NFVNBz">Meteor</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Meteor_shower/ff47hYJA">Meteor shower</a> – Celestial event caused by streams of meteoroids entering Earth's atmosphere</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Bolide/2wftckSU">Bolide</a> – Extremely bright meteor <ul><li><a href="/facts/Earth-grazing_fireball/btc8ecDk">Earth-grazing fireball</a> – Meteoroid that enters Earth's atmosphere and leaves again</li></ul></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Lightning/dLTuxz8n">Lightning</a> (<a href="/facts/Plasma_(physics)/1d3btMVU">Plasma</a>) <ul><li><a href="/facts/Sprite_(lightning)/Y9c1dnlf">Sprite (lightning)</a> – Electrical discharges above thunderstorm clouds</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ball_lightning/bmB4BpMB">Ball lightning</a> – Atmospheric electrical phenomenon</li> <li><a href="/facts/Upper-atmospheric_lightning/487v0T6w">Upper-atmospheric lightning</a> – Rare transient luminous events that occur over tops of thunder storms</li> <li><a href="/facts/Dry_lightning/Fj66dcqR">Dry lightning</a> – Thunderstorm where little to no precipitation reaches the groundPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Aurora/6agpj9Qs">Aurora</a> – Atmospheric effect caused by the solar wind</li></ul> <h2 id="luminescence">Luminescence</h2> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Luminescence/1QkIWyUj">Luminescence</a></p> <p>Luminescence is emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat. </p> <h3>Bioluminescence</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Bioluminescence/IlzgyV4E">Bioluminescence</a></p> <p>Bioluminescence is light resulting from biochemical reaction by a living organism. </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Aequorea_victoria/y8Rk5gul">Aequorea victoria</a> – Species of hydrozoan</li> <li><a href="/facts/Antarctic_krill/k8mwdXbn">Antarctic krill</a> – Species of krill</li> <li><a href="/facts/Biophoton/sAHG9lGL">Biophoton</a> – Photon from a biological source</li> <li><a href="/facts/Mantis_shrimp/bf4ANszS">Cavitation bubbles made by mantis shrimps</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Firefly/AsDYDz2C">Firefly</a> – Family of beetles</li> <li><a href="/facts/Foxfire/3A4Rg6j9">Foxfire</a> – Fungal bioluminescence</li> <li><a href="/facts/Glowworm/3M3TIo05">Glowworm</a> – Bioluminescent insect larva</li> <li><a href="/facts/Luciferase/7yl8dytU">Luciferase</a> – enzyme familyPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback</li> <li><a href="/facts/Panellus_stipticus/VdMdXrnA">Panellus stipticus</a> – Species of fungus</li> <li><a href="/facts/Chaetopterus/ISUWdNtR">Parchment worm</a> – Genus of annelid worms</li> <li><a href="/facts/Pholadidae/GNrcj6e6">Piddock</a> – Family of bivalves</li> <li><a href="/facts/Anglerfish/oTpyBSjS">Anglerfish</a> – Bony fish with a natural lure</li></ul> <h4>Other</h4> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Cathodoluminescence/qqCdFxtQ">Cathodoluminescence</a> – Photon emission under the impact of an electron beam</li> <li><a href="/facts/Chemiluminescence/9LLwID4d">Chemiluminescence</a> – Emission of light as a result of a chemical reaction</li> <li><a href="/facts/Crystalloluminescence/8EwF3ELs">Crystalloluminescence</a> – Luminescence produced from crystallization</li> <li><a href="/facts/Thermoluminescence/v8qxKI1n">Thermoluminescence</a> – Emission of light from certain crystalline materials</li></ul> <h3>Electric discharge (electrical energy)</h3> <ul><li><p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Electric_arc/1hUPPAG0">Electric arc</a></p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Arc_lamp/1y99ep6E">Arc lamp</a> – Lamp that produces light by an electric arc</li> <li><a href="/facts/Flashtube/AMS4bfA5">Flashtube</a> – Incoherent light source</li></ul></li> <li><p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Electrostatic_discharge/I55BBYfS">Electrostatic discharge</a></p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Lightning/dLTuxz8n">Lightning</a> – Weather phenomenon involving electrostatic discharge</li> <li><a href="/facts/Electric_spark/bckGww30">Electric spark</a> – Abrupt electrical discharge through an ionised channel</li></ul></li> <li><p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Gas-discharge_lamp/SQPgULuM">Gas-discharge lamp</a></p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Electrodeless_lamp/S5goJsaM">Electrodeless lamp</a> – Gas-discharge lamp using electric and magnetic fields to transfer energy to the gas insidePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li> <li><a href="/facts/Excimer_lamp/4RWSubI7">Excimer lamp</a> – Ultraviolet source based on spontaneous emission of excimer molecules.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Fluorescent_lamp/R8SlXCyg">Fluorescent lamp</a> – Lamp using fluorescence to produce light <ul><li><a href="/facts/Compact_fluorescent_lamp/gRsYSlYD">Compact fluorescent lamp</a> – Fluorescent lamps with folded tubes, often with built-in ballast</li> <li><a href="/facts/Tanning_lamp/jTsgkjlI">Tanning lamp</a> – Device which produces ultraviolet light used for indoor tanning</li> <li><a href="/facts/Blacklight/pAQ4hnUq">Blacklight</a> – Light fixture that emits long-wave ultraviolet light and very little visible light</li> <li><a href="/facts/Geissler_tube/SHjKIVjf">Geissler tube</a> – Early gas-discharge lamp</li> <li><a href="/facts/Daniel_McFarlan_Moore/WIemnXKE">Moore tube</a> – American electrical engineer and inventor (Obsolete)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ruhmkorff_lamp/SQPgULuM">Ruhmkorff lamp</a> – Artificial light sources powered by ionized gas electric dischargePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets (Obsolete)</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/High-intensity_discharge_lamp/T7179PrP">High-intensity discharge lamp</a> – Type of electric lamp/bulb <ul><li><a href="/facts/Carbon_arc_lamp/1y99ep6E">Carbon arc lamp</a> – Lamp that produces light by an electric arcPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ceramic_metal-halide_lamp/oAheeCNv">Ceramic metal-halide lamp</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Hydrargyrum_medium-arc_iodide_lamp/3hTX4Jt8">Hydrargyrum medium-arc iodide lamp</a> – Stage lighting lamp</li> <li><a href="/facts/Mercury-vapor_lamp/cVCl1CSY">Mercury-vapor lamp</a> – Light source using an electric arc through mercury vapor</li> <li><a href="/facts/Metal-halide_lamp/kxCKb1E9">Metal-halide lamp</a> – Type of lamp</li> <li><a href="/facts/Sodium-vapor_lamp/STEH8FgR">Sodium-vapor lamp</a> – Type of electric gas-discharge lamp</li> <li><a href="/facts/Sulfur_lamp/JzjsShky">Sulfur lamp</a> – Lighting system</li> <li><a href="/facts/Xenon_arc_lamp/xhQlMhDn">Xenon arc lamp</a> – Gas discharge lamp that produces intense white light</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Hollow-cathode_lamp/b3rvWnT5">Hollow-cathode lamp</a> – spectral line source used in physics and chemistryPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback</li> <li><a href="/facts/Induction_lighting/S5goJsaM">Induction lighting</a> – Gas-discharge lamp using electric and magnetic fields to transfer energy to the gas insidePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets <ul><li><a href="/facts/Sulfur_lamp/JzjsShky">Sulfur lamp</a> – Lighting system </li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Neon_lamp/dVz7h0B4">Neon and argon lamps</a> – Light source based on gas discharge <ul><li><a href="/facts/Dekatron/scNcAB7w">Dekatron</a> – Early and obsolete type of computer memory </li> <li><a href="/facts/Nixie_tube/uAf9NEjd">Nixie tube</a> – Electronic numeric display device</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Plasma_lamp/DRQDTVGh">Plasma lamp</a> – Type of electrodeless gas-discharge lamp</li> <li><a href="/facts/Xenon_flash_lamp/AMS4bfA5">Xenon flash lamp</a> – Incoherent light sourcePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li></ul></li></ul> <h3>Electrochemiluminescence</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Electrochemiluminescence/clL0rEF6">Electrochemiluminescence</a></p> <p>Electrochemiluminescence is light resulting from an <a href="/facts/Electrochemistry/C0RUWpBH">electrochemical reaction</a>. </p> <h3>Electroluminescence</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Electroluminescence/geazduXd">Electroluminescence</a></p> <p>Electroluminescence is light resulting from an electric current being passed through a substance. </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Light-emitting_diode/gE8x4MDb">Light-emitting diode</a> – Semiconductor and solid-state light source <ul><li><a href="/facts/OLED/219L1aMJ">Organic light-emitting diode</a> – Diode that emits light from an organic compound</li> <li><a href="/facts/Polymer_light-emitting_diode/219L1aMJ">Polymer light-emitting diode</a> – Diode that emits light from an organic compoundPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li> <li><a href="/facts/AMOLED/hG9wxg06">AMOLED</a>, <a href="/facts/Active_matrix/rDM2fHfb">Active matrix</a> <a href="/facts/OLED/219L1aMJ">OLED</a> - typical OLED addressing scheme for color OLED displays. (Display content) Has to be periodically refreshed to maintain picture, as opposed to for example <a href="/facts/Electronic_paper/b3JWSLz9">Electronic paper</a> – Display technology for use in mobile devices and televisions</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Light-emitting_electrochemical_cell/z2AtkuMh">Light-emitting electrochemical cell</a> – solid-state device that generates light from an electric currentPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback</li> <li><a href="/facts/Electroluminescent_wire/jMVlJ0Rr">Electroluminescent wire</a> – Capacitive light source in the form of a wire</li> <li><a href="/facts/Field-induced_polymer_electroluminescent/f32gCx3E">Field-induced polymer electroluminescent</a> – Electroluminescent light sourcePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li> <li><a href="/facts/Laser/jk6PTvvT">Laser</a> – Device which emits light via optical amplification <ul><li><a href="/facts/Chemical_laser/qy6xvaFW">Chemical laser</a> – Laser that obtains energy from chemical reactions</li> <li><a href="/facts/Dye_laser/IRw09pbC">Dye laser</a> – Equipment using an organic dye to emit coherent light</li> <li><a href="/facts/Free-electron_laser/ew2F96XV">Free-electron laser</a> – Laser using electron beam in vacuum as gain medium</li> <li><a href="/facts/Gas_dynamic_laser/d35rghxp">Gas dynamic laser</a> – Laser based on differences in relaxation velocities of molecular vibrational states</li> <li><a href="/facts/Gas_laser/1eIYl75j">Gas laser</a> – Laser in which electricity is discharged through gas</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ion_laser/Kd3jDNqk">Ion laser</a> – Type of gas laser</li> <li><a href="/facts/Laser_diode/TjHzJteV">Laser diode</a> – Semiconductor laser <ul><li><a href="/facts/Laser_excited_phosphor/FRTheSWG">Laser excited phosphor</a> – Devices and processes that produce lightPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets Long distance beam light</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Metal-vapor_laser/wGEmLDVD">Metal-vapor laser</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Nonlinear_optics/maerngXd">Nonlinear optics</a> – Branch of physics</li> <li><a href="/facts/Quantum_well_laser/fL2l2qXg">Quantum well laser</a> – Laser diode in which the active region is so narrow that quantum confinement occurs</li> <li><a href="/facts/Quantum_dot_laser/kXGsyhjJ">Quantum dot laser</a> – Semiconductor laser that uses quantum dots as the active laser medium</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ruby_laser/rhnwSR4T">Ruby laser</a> – Solid-state laser</li> <li><a href="/facts/Solid-state_laser/FJ24SRrK">Solid-state laser</a> – Laser which uses a solid gain medium</li></ul></li></ul> <h3>Mechanoluminescence</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Mechanoluminescence/6PJX5g3J">Mechanoluminescence</a></p> <p>Mechanoluminescence is light resulting from a mechanical action on a solid. </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Triboluminescence/fwAkDFTp">Triboluminescence</a>, light generated when bonds in a material are broken when that material is scratched, crushed, or rubbed</li> <li><a href="/facts/Fractoluminescence/fwAkDFTp">Fractoluminescence</a>, light generated when bonds in certain crystals are broken by fractures</li> <li><a href="/facts/Piezoluminescence/flX3gC5H">Piezoluminescence</a>, light produced by the action of pressure on certain solids</li> <li><a href="/facts/Sonoluminescence/BIXNbsGX">Sonoluminescence</a>, light resulting from imploding bubbles in a liquid when excited by sound</li></ul> <h3>Photoluminescence</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Photoluminescence/L1u2PJIa">Photoluminescence</a></p> <p>Photoluminescence is light resulting from absorption of photons. </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Fluorescence/qsJVT2qP">Fluorescence</a>, the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation</li> <li><a href="/facts/Phosphorescence/WshJFsKV">Phosphorescence</a>, the delayed re-emission of light by substance that has absorbed it</li></ul> <h3>Radioluminescence</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Radioluminescence/rsBBkXPK">Radioluminescence</a></p> <p>Radioluminescence is light resulting from bombardment by ionizing radiation. </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Radium_dial/6lo5zEV4">Radium dial</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Tritium_radioluminescence/Awtg5wDr">Tritium radioluminescence</a></li></ul> <h3>Thermoluminescence</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Thermoluminescence/v8qxKI1n">Thermoluminescence</a></p> <p>Thermoluminescence is light from the re-emission of absorbed energy when a substance is heated. </p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/List_of_reflected_light_sources/jkAmegXW">List of reflected light sources</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Luminous_efficacy/ryvu6nvc">Luminous efficacy</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Photometry_(optics)/eo6J7qj3">Photometry (optics)</a></li></ul> <p> /<a href="https://www.britannica.com*/">https://www.britannica.com*/</a> </p><h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~zhuxj/astro/html/spectrometer.html">A CD spectrometer</a> Color spectrographs of common light sources</li></ul>