Fluorescent screen is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as flɔːˈrɛsənt skriːn. The term refers to a display screen that emits light by fluorescence. The combination of the letters "uor" in the word fluorescent is pronounced as one syllable, with the "u" sound representing a short "oo" sound, while the "or" sound represents a long "o" sound. The word screen has a long "e" sound for the first letter followed by a short "i" sound for the second letter, as spelled "ee".
A fluorescent screen is a specialized device used in various scientific, medical, and technical applications that fluoresces or emits light when struck by high-energy particles or electromagnetic radiation. It typically consists of a thin, flat panel made of a material called phosphor, which possesses the property of phosphorescence or fluorescence.
When charged particles like electrons or X-rays collide with the phosphor material, they transfer their energy to the atoms of the phosphor, exciting them to higher energy levels. As the atoms gradually return to their original state, they release energy in the form of visible light or photons. This emitted light can then be detected and observed.
Fluorescent screens are widely utilized in fields such as medicine, where they are an essential component of X-ray machines, helping convert X-rays into visible images. They are also used in particle physics experiments, where they assist in detecting and visualizing high-energy particles produced in particle accelerators.
Furthermore, fluorescent screens find applications in electron microscopy to observe and analyze the interaction of electrons with various samples and materials. They have also been utilized in television screens; however, modern flat-panel displays have replaced them with more sophisticated technologies.
Overall, the fluorescent screen plays a fundamental role in transforming or converting high-energy particles or radiation into visible light, enabling scientists, physicians, and engineers to analyze, observe, and interpret various phenomena across multiple scientific disciplines.
A s. coated with crystals of calcium tungstate used in the fluoroscope.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "fluorescent" comes from the Latin word "fluorescens", which is the present participle of the verb "fluorescere", meaning "to flow" or "to emit light". The term "fluorescent" refers to the property of certain substances to absorb short wavelength light (such as ultraviolet) and re-emit it as longer wavelength visible light.
The word "screen" comes from the Middle Dutch word "scerm" or the Old Norse word "skjǫrmr", which both mean "a protective barrier" or "a cover". Over time, it also came to refer to a surface on which images or data are displayed.
Therefore, the term "fluorescent screen" combines "fluorescent" with "screen" to describe a surface that emits light by using materials that exhibit fluorescence, commonly used in devices such as televisions and computer monitors.