Luminous paint

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Luminous, or luminescent paint exhibits luminescence. In other words, it gives off light through fluorescence, phosphorescence, or radioluminescence.

1 Fluorescent paint
2 Phosphorescent paint
3 Radioluminescent paint
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Fluorescent paint

Fluorescent paint reacts to long-wave ultraviolet radiation, commonly known as black light. Through the mechanism of fluorescence, UV sensitive pigments present in the paint absorb black light and give off visible light in return.

There are two basic kinds of fluorescent paint: visible and invisible. Visible fluorescent paint can appear any bright color under white light, but glows brilliantly under black light. Invisible paint will appear white or clear under white light and will glow a particular color—depending on the pigment used—under black light.

This type of paint has extensive applications in the entertainment industry, and can be used to create black light effects such as invisible images, dual images, day-night transitions, and 3-D effects.

[edit] Phosphorescent paint

Phosphorescent paint is commonly called glow-in-the-dark paint. The mechanism for producing light is similar to fluorescence, but happens over time. This is why it has a sustained glow. It typically glows a pale green color.

This type of paint has been used to mark escape paths in aircraft and for decorative use, such as "stars" applied to walls and ceilings.

[edit] Radioluminescent paint

Radioactive isotopes are combined with a radioluminescent substance in the paint. The isotopes selected are typically strong emitters of fast electrons (beta radiation), preferred since this radiation will not penetrate an enclosure. This type was long used with radium for watches and aircraft instruments, but requires great care in application, maintenance and disposal to avoid creation of a hazardous condition.