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Charged particle luminescence: The magical phenomenon of electrons "emitting" cold light
In experiments studying atomic nuclei and high-energy particles, scientists have discovered that charged particles themselves can cause materials to emit light.
For example, when high-energy protons or other charged particles pass through certain plastics or crystals, they stimulate a faint but distinct glow. This luminescence, produced by charged particle excitation, is called charged-particle luminescence.
An even more interesting approach has emerged: using radioactive materials to create long-lived "self-luminous" materials.
Radioactive sources like radium, thorium, and strontium-90 continuously emit alpha or beta particles, which, upon impacting luminescent pigments, cause them to glow continuously. Even radioactive gases like tritium (H₃) or krypton-85 can be encapsulated in a container coated with phosphor to create a weak but long-lasting light source.
We call this luminescence, produced by direct excitation of phosphors by electrons or charged particles, "cathodoluminescence."
It's not only used in nuclear physics research, but also in devices like cathode ray tubes, television screens, and electron microscopes, to "translate" invisible electron energy into visible light.
Simply put, it's the process of making electrons emit light—no heating or combustion required, simply illuminating the world with pure particle energy.
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