fluorescence
n. uncountablen. the bright light that some materials give off when they are hit by other light or energy. It usually stops as soon as the light source is removed.
n. the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation. Characterised by the immediate cessation of emission once the excitation source is removed.
The rocks show a bright green fluorescence under UV light.
Marine biologists use fluorescence to track the movement of certain jellyfish species in the dark ocean depths.
In molecular biology, researchers attach fluorescent markers to specific proteins, allowing them to observe cellular processes through high-resolution fluorescence microscopy.
Coined by British physicist George Stokes in 1852 from fluorspar + -escence. Morphologically fluoresce + -ence.
Uncountable in its general sense; countable when referring to specific instances or types of the phenomenon.