How does the lighting effect work?
Phosphorescence
The effect of noctilucent lighting is that of "phosphorescence". This is often is confused with "fluorescence". This term was named based on the element of "phosphorous", which has a natural afterglow observed by the alchemists in the 17th century and so named. The element phosphorous is not used in phosphorescence nowadays. With phosphorescence, the luminescent materials charge themselves in UV- or black light and then illuminate in the dark. In public this effect is often called "glow in the dark". Our luminescent materials do not contain any phosphorous either.
Fluorescence
Fluorescence is the effect observed with neon colors – i.e., the colors are illuminated in UV light. This can be observed well for example in the black light seen in dance clubs. If the UV or the black light is switched off, this lighting effect disappears immediately.
Photoluminescence
The "phosphorescence" and "fluorescence" effects are both included under the general term "photoluminescence".
Summary:
- Photoluminescence = general term for fluorescence and phosphorescence (also "glow in the dark")
- Fluorescence = neon effect, colors are loud and glaring in UV- and black light
- Phosphorescence = night lighting effect, material illuminates in darkness and charges in daylight or in artificial light sources
- Noctilucent = phosphorescent NighTec® products that work a whole night long
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