The word "electroluminescence" is spelled as /ɪˌlɛktrəluːmɪˈnɛsns/. The first syllable "elec-" is pronounced as /ɪˈlɛk/ and is followed by "-tro-" which is pronounced as /troʊ/. The third syllable "-lu-" is pronounced as /luː/ and is followed by "-mi-" which is pronounced as /mɪ/. The final syllables "-nes-" is pronounced as /nɛs/ and "-cence" is pronounced as /səns/. This word refers to the emission of light from a material when an electric current is passed through it.
Electroluminescence is a phenomenon in which light is emitted from a material or device when it is subjected to an electric current or a strong electric field. It is the process by which electrical energy is transformed into light energy. The emitted light can span a wide range of wavelengths, including visible, ultraviolet, and infrared.
This phenomenon occurs in a variety of materials, such as semiconductors, inorganic compounds, and even organic molecules. Electroluminescent materials typically consist of layers with different properties, including a thin emissive layer sandwiched between two conductive layers. When a voltage is applied to the device, electrons and holes, which are electrically charged particles, are injected into the emissive layer. As these charges recombine, they release energy in the form of photons, resulting in the emission of light.
Electroluminescence finds numerous applications, particularly in optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). LEDs are widely used for lighting purposes, electronic displays, and indicators due to their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and fast response time. OLEDs, on the other hand, are increasingly employed in flat-panel displays, mobile phone screens, and other flexible and high-resolution display technologies.
In conclusion, electroluminescence is the process of generating light by applying an electric current or field to a material. It is a fundamental principle underlying the operation of various light-emitting devices and has revolutionized the field of lighting and visual display technologies.
The term "electroluminescence" can be broken down into two parts: "electro-" and "luminescence".
The prefix "electro-" comes from the Greek word "ēlektron", meaning amber or amber-like substances. It originally referred to the attractive force exhibited by amber when rubbed, which was later discovered to be the same force generated by electrically charged objects. The word "electron" was subsequently coined to describe the fundamental unit of charge in electricity.
The word "luminescence" comes from the Latin word "lumen", meaning light. "Luminescence" refers to the emission of light from a substance as a result of various processes like excitation, fluorescence, or phosphorescence.
When combining the two parts, "electroluminescence" refers to the phenomenon of light emission resulting from the application of an electric field or electric current to a material.