List of light sources

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Short description: Devices and processes that produce light

This article lists sources of light, the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum. It focuses on primary light sources (which emit light) rather than secondary light sources (which reflect or transmit light).[1] Primary light sources produce photons from another energy source, such as heat, chemical reactions, or conversion of mass or a different frequency of electromagnetic radiation, and include light bulbs and stars like the Sun. Secondary light sources (e.g., cat eyes, retroreflectors) do not actually produce the light that comes from them.

A common and fundamental means of classifying primary light sources is on the basis of the mechanism(s) of light emission.[2] Light is generated when an electric charge undergoes acceleration, typically through incandescence or luminescence.[3] Light from real light sources (e.g., stars, gas mantles, limelight, phosphor-based white LEDs) is often from a combination of mechanisms. Real light sources can in turn be categorised as anthropic ("artificial") or naturally occurring.

## Contents

* 1 Incandescence
* 2 Luminescence
* 2.1 Candoluminescence
* 2.2 Cathodoluminescence
* 2.3 Chemiluminescence
* 2.3.1 Bioluminescence
* 2.4 Crystalloluminescence
* 2.5 Cryoluminescence
* 2.6 Electrochemiluminescence
* 2.7 Electroluminescence
* 2.7.1 Electric discharge
* 2.8 Fluorescence and phosphorescence
* 2.8.1 Fluorescence
* 2.8.2 Phosphorescence
* 2.9 Mechanoluminescence
* 2.10 Photoluminescence
* 2.11 Pyroluminescence
* 2.12 Radioluminescence and scintillation
* 2.13 Sonoluminescence
* 2.14 Thermoluminescence
* 2.15 Other kinds of luminescence
* 3 Combined incandescence and luminescence
* 3.1 Exothermic chemical reactions
* 3.1.1 Combustion-based lamps
* 3.1.2 Other combustion-based light sources
* 4 See also
* 5 References
* 5.1 Further reading

## Incandescence

Main article: Physics:Incandescence

Lava from volcanic eruption

Incandescence is the emission of visible radiation (light) due to the thermal excitation of atoms or molecules.[4] It is thermal radiation, which emerges from the conversion of kinetic energy associated with heat, resulting in continuous spectra, which extend into the visible region when temperatures are sufficiently high.[5] The lowest temperature at which thermal radiation is visible, known as the Draper point, is approximately 798 K (525 °C; 977 °F).

* Incandescent light bulb
* Earth:Lava - Molten rock expelled by a volcano during an eruption
* Astronomy:Sun

## Luminescence

Main article: Physics:Luminescence

Luminescence is any emission of light not ascribable directly to incandescence.[4] One mechanism is atomic electron transition, which generally results in discrete spectra from tightly-bound core electrons. The similar mechanism of recombination involves loosely-bound or free electrons in the valence or conduction bands, and can result in continuous spectra from plasmas and optoelectronic semiconductor devices.

Many terms exist to describe different kinds of luminescence. Their meanings can overlap (e.g., due to a sequence of events), and continue to evolve with time, sometimes leading to confusion.[6] One recent example was the initial use of shrimpoluminescence to playfully describe shrimp-induced sonoluminescence.[7]

### Candoluminescence

Main article: Physics:Candoluminescence

Candoluminescence is light given off by certain materials at high temperatures (usually when exposed to a flame) that has an intensity at some wavelengths which can be higher than the blackbody emission expected from incandescence at the same temperature.

* Physics:Gas mantle - Device for generating bright light when heated by a flame
* Physics:Limelight

### Cathodoluminescence

Main articles: Cathodoluminescence and Electron-stimulated luminescence

Cathodoluminescence is luminescence produced by the bombardment of a metal or a phosphor by electrons.

* Engineering:Cathode-ray tube - Vacuum tube often used to display images

### Chemiluminescence

Main article: Physics:Chemiluminescence

Chemiluminescence is luminescence resulting from a chemical reaction (e.g., lyoluminescence).

* Engineering:Chemical laser - Laser that obtains energy from chemical reactions
* Physics:Glow stick - Self-contained, short-term light source
* Chemistry:Luminol - Chemical compound

#### Bioluminescence

Main articles: Physics:Bioluminescence and Biophoton

Bioluminescence is light emitted by living organisms due to chemiluminescence. Thousands of species exhibit bioluminescence,[8] so only some of the best-known examples are listed here, illustrating the range from microorganisms to relatively large creatures.

* Biology:Aequorea victoria - Species of hydrozoan
* Deep-sea anglerfish
* Biology:Firefly - Family of beetles
* Biology:Foxfire - Fungal bioluminescence
* Astronomy:Glowworm
* Biology:Lanternfish
* Biology:Panellus stipticus - Species of fungus
* Parchment worm
* Earth:Phytoplankton - Autotrophic members of the plankton ecosystem
* Piddock - Family of bivalves

### Crystalloluminescence

Main articles: Physics:Crystalloluminescence and Physical crystallography before X-rays

Crystalloluminescence is luminescence during the process of crystallization, specifically during nucleation.[9]

* Potassium sulfate

### Cryoluminescence

Cryoluminescence is luminescence when an object is cooled or observable only at low temperatures.[10]

* Wulfenite
* Zinc sulfide phosphors

### Electrochemiluminescence

Main article: Physics:Electrochemiluminescence

Electrochemiluminescence is luminescence resulting from an electrochemical reaction.

* Chemistry:Light-emitting electrochemical cell

### Electroluminescence

Main article: Physics:Electroluminescence

See also: Physics:Galvanoluminescence

Electroluminescence is luminescence caused by the action of an electric field in a gas or in a solid material.[1] Electroluminescent materials (e.g., LEDs, OLEDs) can exhibit fluorescence, delayed fluorescence, and/or phosphorescence.

* Physics:Electroluminescent display - Illuminated flat panel display
* Physics:Electroluminescent wire - Capacitive light source in the form of a wire

Lasers

* Physics:Laser
* Engineering:Gas dynamic laser - Laser based on differences in relaxation velocities of molecular vibrational states
* Engineering:Gas laser - Laser in which electricity is discharged through gas
* Engineering:Ion laser - Type of gas laser
* Engineering:Laser diode - Semiconductor laser
* Physics:Quantum dot laser - Semiconductor laser that uses quantum dots as the active laser medium
* Engineering:Quantum well laser - Laser diode in which the active region is so narrow that quantum confinement occurs
* Physics:Ruby laser - Solid-state laser
* Physics:Solid-state laser - Laser which uses a solid gain medium

Light-emitting diodes

* Light-emitting diode (LED) - Semiconductor and solid-state light source
* Chemistry:Light-emitting electrochemical cell
* Organic LED (OLED) (e.g., active matrix OLED (AMOLED), polymer LED (PLED))

#### Electric discharge

Main articles: Physics:Electric discharge and Physics:Electric discharge in gases

Electric discharge (also termed gas-discharge[4]) is the passage of an electric current through gases and vapours by the production and movements of charge carriers under the influence of an electric field.[1] The ionized gas becomes a plasma.[11] Such light sources exhibit electroluminescence; some may additionally exhibit photoluminescence (e.g., fluorescent lamps due to phosphors) and/or incandescence (e.g., flashtubes due to high temperatures).[2]

The following electric discharge sources exhibit electrostatic discharge:

* Physics:Flashtube
* Astronomy:Lightning - Weather phenomenon involving electrostatic discharge
* Physics:Electric spark - Abrupt electrical discharge through an ionised channel

The following list of electric discharge sources includes examples of gas-discharge or glow discharge lamps. To keep the list reasonably short, sources with only a small portion of optical radiation in the visible region (e.g., blacklight, excimer lamp, tanning lamp) and obsolete sources (e.g., Dekatron, Geissler tube, Moore lamp, Ruhmkorff lamp) are not listed.

High-intensity discharge lamp

* Physics:High-intensity discharge lamp - Type of electric lamp/bulb
* Physics:Mercury-vapor lamp - Light source using an electric arc through mercury vapor
* Physics:Metal-halide lamp - Type of lamp
* Physics:Sodium-vapor lamp - Type of electric gas-discharge lamp
* Physics:Hollow-cathode lamp
* Neon and argon lamps - Light source based on gas discharge (e.g., Nixie tube)
* Physics:Plasma lamp - Type of electrodeless gas-discharge lamp

Sulfur lamps

* Astronomy:St. Elmo's fire - Luminous plasma created in an electric field
* Physics:Sulfur lamp - Lighting system
* Physics:Xenon arc lamp - Gas discharge lamp that produces intense white light

### Fluorescence and phosphorescence

Main articles: Biology:Fluorescence and Phosphorescence

Fluorescence and phosphorescence are typically associated with photoluminescence, but can apply to other kinds of luminescence (e.g., electroluminescence, radioluminescence) as well.

#### Fluorescence

Fluorescence has traditionally been defined as luminescence which essentially occurs only during the irradiation of a substance by electromagnetic radiation.[11] Any delay is typically limited to about 10 nanoseconds.[1][4] However, some kinds of fluorescence (e.g., thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), triplet-triplet annihilation delayed fluorescence (TTA DF)) exhibit delays akin to phosphorescence.[12] To more clearly distinguish it from phosphorescence, fluorescence is more specifically defined as being due to an "allowed" transition generally from an excited singlet state to a ground singlet state. For brevity, the countless types of fluorescent materials that require energy from an external source (e.g., as used in high-visibility clothing) are not listed here.

* Physics:Dye laser - Equipment using an organic dye to emit coherent light
* Physics:Fluorescent lamp - Lamp using fluorescence to produce light (e.g., compact fluorescent lamp)
* Phosphor-based Engineering:LED

#### Phosphorescence

Phosphorescence has traditionally been defined essentially as fluorescence except with greater duration of emission following exposure to electromagnetic radiation.[4] However, given the overlap with delayed fluorescence, phosphorescence is more specifically defined as luminescence involving a change in spin multiplicity, typically a "forbidden" transition from excited triplet state to ground singlet state.[11][1][12]

* Engineering:Phosphorescent organic light-emitting diode (PhOLED)
* Chemistry:Strontium aluminate - Chemical compound
* Chemistry:Zinc sulfide - Inorganic compound

### Mechanoluminescence

Main article: Physics:Mechanoluminescence

Mechanoluminescence is light resulting from mechanical stress, usually defined as being applied to a solid. Fractoluminescence, piezoluminescence, and triboluminescence are different kinds of mechanoluminescence.

* Crystalline hard candy with phosphors[13][14]
* Ice[15][16][17]
* Pressure-sensitive tape[18]
* Quartz[19]

### Photoluminescence

Main article: Physics:Photoluminescence

Photoluminescence is light resulting from absorption of photons. The phenomenon is similar to radioluminescence, with overlapping meaning for high-energy electromagnetic radiation (e.g., gamma rays, X-rays); photoluminescent materials exhibit fluorescence, delayed fluorescence, and/or phosphorescence.

* Physics:Luminous paint - Phosphorus paint, the luminous paint that glows in the dark along with other luminescent paints (some can also or instead exhibit radioluminescence)
* Physics:Optical brightener - Chemical compounds that absorb and re-emit light
* Engineering:Plasma display - Type of flat panel display

### Pyroluminescence

Pyroluminescence (flame luminescence) is light emitted by a gas or vapor excited by high temperature, as in a flame.[20][10] At very high temperatures the collisions of atoms can cause ionization (and recombination), in which case luminescence and incandescence become indistinguishable.[21][22]

* Chemistry:Flame test - Process in chemistry to detect certain elements

### Radioluminescence and scintillation

Radioluminescent

Main articles: Physics:Radioluminescence and Scintillation (physics)

Radioluminescence, also termed scintillation, is luminescence arising from excitation by high-energy particles or radiation.[11][23] The phenomenon is similar to photoluminescence, with overlapping meaning for high-energy electromagnetic radiation (e.g., gamma rays, X-rays); scintillators exhibit fluorescence, delayed fluorescence, and/or phosphorescence.[1][24]

* Astronomy:Aurora
* Physics:Radium dial - Instrument dials painted with radium-based paint
* Physics:Scintillation counter - Instrument for measuring ionizing radiation
* Earth:Tritium radioluminescence - Use of gaseous tritium to create visible light

### Sonoluminescence

Main article: Physics:Sonoluminescence

Sonoluminescence is luminescence induced by sound waves, such as light emission resulting from imploding bubbles in a liquid.

* Biology:Mantis shrimp - Order of crustaceans

### Thermoluminescence

Main article: Physics:Thermoluminescence

Thermoluminescence is luminescence resulting from an increase in temperature that releases trapped energy from a chemical reaction or previously absorbed radiation.[11]

* Chemistry:Calcite
* Engineering:Crystal oscillator - Electronic oscillator circuit
* Chemistry:Fluorite

### Other kinds of luminescence

Not all terms for different kinds of luminescence end in luminescence, or even orescence. Some additional types of luminescence (e.g., Bremsstrahlung, cyclotron radiation, synchrotron radiation) involve acceleration of charged particles, including but not limited to electrons; notably, this can occur in a vacuum free of atoms. Cherenkov radiation is created when a charged particle moves faster than light in a given medium (not a vacuum), similar to a sonic boom.

* Physics:Annihilation
* Physics:Free-electron laser - Laser using electron beam in vacuum as gain medium (via synchrotron light source)

## Combined incandescence and luminescence

Light sources often exhibit both incandescence and luminescence.

* Carbon arc lamp - Lamp that produces light by an electric arc
* Physics:Nuclear reaction - Transformation of a nuclide to another

### Exothermic chemical reactions

Combustion is an exothermic chemical reaction that may or may not produce a flame or explosion. A flame provides visible evidence of combustion. Whereas incomplete combustion of methane can produce soot with a temperature sufficient to incandesce (giving the flame an orangish-white color), its complete combustion yields the characteristic blue flame via luminescence, as can be demonstrated by adjusting a Bunsen burner.[5] Methane burns in air at about 1,957 °C (2,230 K; 3,555 °F);[25] a much higher temperature would be required to yield blackbody radiation with a similar bluish appearance.

#### Combustion-based lamps

* Engineering:Argand lamp - Type of oil lamp
* Physics:Carbide lamp - Acetylene-burning lamps
* Coleman lantern - Series of pressure lamps
* Engineering:Betty lamp - Oil or grease burning lamp originating from Europe
* Engineering:Butter lamp - Lamps traditionally burning clarified yak butter
* Engineering:Flash-lamp
* Physics:Gas lighting
* Physics:Gas mantle - Device for generating bright light when heated by a flame
* Software:Lanterns
* Physics:Limelight
* Engineering:Oil lamp - Lamp used for lighting by burning oil

#### Other combustion-based light sources

Candle

* Chemistry:Argon flash - Single-use source of very short and extremely bright flash of light
* Company:Ember - American company based in Boston
* Astronomy:Fire
* Physics:Fireworks
* Physics:Rubens tube - Physics apparatus for demonstrating acoustic standing waves in a tube
* Earth:Torch

## See also

* Electric light
* Light fixture
* List of reflected light sources
* Luminous efficacy
* Photometry (optics)

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "e-ILV, online version of CIE S 017:2020, International Lighting Vocabulary". e-ILV, online version of CIE S 017:2020, International Lighting Vocabulary (2 ed.). Vienna: International Commission on Illumination. 2020. https://cie.co.at/e-ilv. Retrieved 11 Jan 2026.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 DiLaura, David L.; Houser, Kevin W.; Mistrick, Richard G.; Steffy, Gary R. (2011). "Production of Optical Radiation". The Lighting Handbook: Reference and Application (10 ed.). New York: Illuminating Engineering Society. pp. 1.6-1.17. ISBN 978-087995-241-9. OCLC 739932332. https://archive.org/details/lightinghandbook0000unse.
3. ↑ "Basics of Light: Where Does Light Come From?". University of Massachusetts Amherst. https://openbooks.library.umass.edu/toggerson-132/chapter/basics-of-light/.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "ANSI/IES LS-1-22, Lighting Science: Nomenclature And Definitions For Illuminating Engineering". ANSI/IES LS-1-22, Lighting Science: Nomenclature And Definitions For Illuminating Engineering. New York: Illuminating Engineering Society. 2022. https://ies.org/standards/definitions/. Retrieved 11 Jan 2026.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Baird, Christopher S. (21 Jun 2013). "How does plasma make a campfire flame orange?". West Texas A&M University. https://www.wtamu.edu/~cbaird/sq/2013/06/21/how-does-plasma-make-a-campfire-flame-orange/.
6. ↑ Goldberg, Marvin C.; Weiner, Eugene R. (1989). "The Science of Luminescence". in Goldberg, Marvin C.. Luminescence Applications in Biological, Chemical, Environmental, and Hydrological Sciences. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society. pp. 4–5. doi:10.1021/bk-1989-0383.ch001. ISBN 9780841215603. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/bk-1989-0383.ch001.
7. ↑ Lohse, D.; Schmitz, B.; Versluis, M. (2001). "Snapping shrimp make flashing bubbles". Nature 413: 477–478. doi:10.1038/35097152.
8. ↑ The Ocean Portal Team (Sep 2013). "Bioluminescence: Introduction". Smithsonian Institution. https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/fish/bioluminescence.
9. ↑ Garten, V.; Head, R. (1966). "Crystalloluminescence". Nature 209: 705. doi:10.1038/209705a0.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Matousek, Vaclav; Matuska, Radek; Vranka, Tomas; Adamec, Martin; Herentin, Tadeas; Kalacek, Jiri; Havlik, Jan (2023). "Exploring Triboluminescence and Paramagnetism: A Rapid Mn Complex Synthesis for High School and Undergraduate Chemistry Laboratories". Journal of Chemical Education 100 (8): 3062. doi:10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00372.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 "IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology (Gold Book)". IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology (Gold Book). Research Triangle Park, NC: International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. 2019. doi:10.1351/goldbook. https://goldbook.iupac.org. Retrieved 13 Jan 2026.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Franca, Larissa G.; Bossanyi, David G.; Clark, Jenny; Lays dos Santos, Paloma (2024). "Exploring the Versatile Uses of Triplet States: Working Principles, Limitations, and Recent Progress in Phosphorescence, TADF, and TTA". ACS Applied Optical Materials 2 (12): 2476–2500. doi:10.1021/acsaom.4c00041.
13. ↑
14. ↑
15. ↑ Terren, Rodrigo; Foster, Jim (21 Sep 2022). "Triboluminescence Observed on Perito Moreno Glacier". https://epod.usra.edu/blog/2022/09/photographer-rodrigo-terren-rodrigoterrengmailcom-summary-author-rodrigo-terren-rodrigoterrengmailcom.html.
16. ↑ Felton, James (27 Nov 2024). "Mysterious Blue Light Videoed During Avalanche May Be Strange Electromagnetic Phenomenon". https://www.iflscience.com/mysterious-blue-light-videoed-during-avalanche-may-be-strange-electromagnetic-phenomenon-76975.
17. ↑ Felton, James (4 Sep 2025). "It Turns Out Bending Ice Produces Electricity, And This Could Finally Explain The Origin Of Lightning". https://www.iflscience.com/it-turns-out-bending-ice-produces-electricity-and-this-could-finally-explain-the-origin-of-lightning-80675.
18. ↑ Bourzac, Katherine (23 Oct 2008). "X-Rays Made with Scotch Tape". https://www.technologyreview.com/2008/10/23/217918/x-rays-made-with-scotch-tape/.
19. ↑ Lankester, E. Ray (1920). "Light Produced by Rubbing Quartz Pebbles Together". Nature 106: 310. doi:10.1038/106310a0.
20. ↑ "Merriam-Webster Dictionary". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 12 Jan 2026.
21. ↑ Rea, Mark S. (2000). IESNA Lighting Handbook: Reference & Application (9 ed.). New York: Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA). p. 1-9 (note: hyphenated page numbering by chapter). ISBN 0-87995-150-8. OCLC 43593816. https://archive.org/details/iesnalightinghan00ream.
22. ↑ "Luminescence: Sources and Process—Luminescence and incandescence". Britannica.com. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.. https://www.britannica.com/science/luminescence. Retrieved 17 Jan 2026.
23. ↑ "Luminescence excitation: Radioluminescence". Britannica.com. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.. https://www.britannica.com/science/luminescence/Luminescence-excitation. Retrieved 13 Jan 2026.
24. ↑ Ma, W. et al. (2022). "Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) organic molecules for efficient X-ray scintillation and imaging". Nature Materials 21: 210–216. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01132-x.
25. ↑ Helmenstine, Anne Marie (19 May 2024). "Flame Temperatures Table for Different Fuels". https://www.thoughtco.com/flame-temperatures-table-607307.

### Further reading

"Encyclopedia Britannica". Encyclopedia Britannica. Britannica.com. lighting. https://www.britannica.com/technology/lighting. Retrieved 12 Jan 2026.

* v
* t
* e

* Lamps
* Lighting
* List of light sources

Concepts|

* Accent lighting
* Color temperature
* Efficiency
* Glare
* Lamp
* Light fixture
* Light pollution
* Lightbulb socket
* Task lighting

Methods of generation|

| Incandescent|

* Regular
* Halogen
* Nernst

|

Luminescent|

* Fluorescent
* Fluorescent lamp (compact)
* Fluorescent induction
* Photoluminescent
* laser lamp
* Chemiluminescent
* Solid-state
* LED bulb
* Cathodoluminescent
* Electron-stimulated
* Electroluminescent
* field-induced polymer

Combustion|

* Acetylene/Carbide
* Argand
* Campfire
* Candle
* Carcel
* Diya
* Flare
* Gas
* Kerosene
* Lantern
* Limelight
* Oil
* Rushlight
* Safety
* Tilley
* Torch

Electric arc|

* Carbon arc
* Klieg light
* Yablochkov candle

Gas discharge|

* Deuterium arc
* Neon
* Plasma
* Sulfur
* Xenon arc
* Xenon flash

High-intensity
discharge (HID)|

* Mercury-vapor
* Metal-halide
* ceramic
* Hydrargyrum medium-arc iodide (HMI)
* Hydrargyrum quartz iodide (HQI)
* Sodium vapor

* Theatrical
* Cinematic

* Floodlight
* Footlight
* Gobo
* Scoop
* Spotlight
* ellipsoidal reflector
* Stage lighting instrument

Stationary|

* Reflector
* Parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR)
* Multifaceted reflector
* Ellipsoidal reflector
* Aircraft warning
* Balanced-arm lamp
* Chandelier
* Emergency light
* Gas lighting
* Gooseneck lamp
* Intelligent street lighting
* Light tube
* Nightlight
* Neon lighting
* Pendant light
* Recessed light
* Sconce
* Street light
* Torchère
* Track lighting
* Troffer

Mobile|

* Flashlight
* tactical
* Glow stick
* Headlamp (outdoor)
* Lantern
* Laser pointer
* Navigation light
* Searchlight
* Solar lamp

* Industrial
* Scientific

* Germicidal
* Grow light
* Infrared lamp
* Stroboscope
* Tanning

* Display
* Decorative

* Aroma lamp
* Black light
* Bubble light
* Christmas lights
* Crackle tube
* DJ lighting
* Electroluminescent wire
* Lava lamp
* Marquee
* Plasma globe
* Strobe light

Related topics|

* Bioluminescence
* Chemiluminescence
* Electroluminescence
* Laser
* Photoluminescence
* Radioluminescence

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