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Definition: luminescence arising from chemical reactions
Chemiluminescence is a luminescence which arises from exothermic chemical reactions. Such a reaction can produce certain molecules in excited electronic states, which subsequently decay to the ground states (or other lower-lying states) with emission of photons (→ luminescence). However, the quantum efficiency for light emission is in many cases small.
The phrase “light without heat” is not literally correct, since the heat generated normally takes away most of the energy provided by the chemical reaction, even if for a slow reaction the heat power is too small to cause a significant temperature rise. However, the light emission is not a consequence of heating, and in that sense chemiluminescence produces “cold light”.
Chemiluminescence is applied in lightsticks, as are contained in disaster kits.
If chemiluminescence occurs in living organisms, it is called bioluminescence.
See also: luminescence
Category: physical foundations
Since October 2008, the Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology is also available in the form of a two-volume book. Maybe you would enjoy reading it also in that form! The print version has a carefully designed layout and can be considered a must-have for any institute library, laser research group, or laser company.
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