solid material that emits light, or luminesces, when exposed to radiation such as ultraviolet light or an electron beam. Hundreds of thousands of phosphors have been synthesized, each one having its own characteristic colour of emission and period of time during which light is emitted after excitation ceases. When certain phosphors luminesce from electron excitation, the process is called electroluminescence, and these phosphors are used in the production of television screens and computer monitors. Phosphors excited by ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation are used principally in the so-called fluorescent lamps (fluorescent lamp) commonly employed for general illumination.