The absorption of energy followed by the emission of light is often described by the term luminescence. The exact term  used is based on the energy source responsible for the luminescence as in color-change phenomena.
*Electrical – electroluminescence Galvanoluminescence Sonoluminescence.
*Photons (light) – Photoluminescence Fluorescence Phosphorescence Biofluorescence.
*Chemical – Chemiluminescence Bioluminescence Electrochemiluminescence.
*Thermal – Thermoluminescence Pyroluminescence Candololuminescence.
*Electron Beam – Cathodoluminescence Anodoluminescence Radioluminescence.
*Mechanical – Triboluminescence Fractoluminescence Mechanoluminescence Crystalloluminescence Lyoluminescence Elasticoluminescence.
Many of these phenomena are widely used in consumer products and other important outlets. Cathodoluminescence is used in cathode ray tubes, photoluminescence in fluorescent lighting and plasma display panels, phosphorescence in safety signs and low energy lighting, fluorescence in pigments, inks, optical brighteners, safety clothing, and biological and medicinal analysis and diagnostics, chemoluminescence and bioluminescence in analysis, diagnostics and sensors, and electroluminescence in the burgeoning areas of light-emitting diodes (LEDs/OLEDs), displays and panel lighting. Important new developments are taking place in the areas of quantum dots and metallic nanoparticles.