science

Super-LumiNova

Super-LumiNova is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Super-LumiNova rather than just read about it. In short: Super-LumiNova is a brand name under which strontium aluminate–based non-radioactive and nontoxic photoluminescent or afterglow pigments for illuminating markings on watch dials, hands and bezels, etc. in the dark are marketed. When activated with a suitable dopant (Europium and Dysprosium), it acts as a photoluminescent phosphor with long persistence of phosphorescence.

Key takeaways

Super-LumiNova belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Super-LumiNova to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Super-LumiNova from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Super-LumiNova is a brand name under which strontium aluminate–based non-radioactive and nontoxic photoluminescent or afterglow pigments for illuminating markings on watch dials, hands and bezels, etc. in the dark are marketed. When activated with a suitable dopant (Europium and Dysprosium), it acts as a photoluminescent phosphor with long persistence of phosphorescence. This technology offers up to ten times higher brightness than previous zinc sulfide–based materials. These types of phosphorescent pigments, often called lume, operate like a rechargeable light battery. After sufficient activation by sunlight, fluorescent, LED, UV (blacklight), incandescent and other light sources, they glow in the dark for hours. Electrons within the pigment are being "excited" by ultraviolet light exposure—the excitation wavelengths for strontium aluminate range from 200 to 450 nm electromagnetic radiation—to a higher energetic state and after the excitation source is removed, fall back to their normal energetic state by releasing the energy loss as visible light over a period of time. Although fading over time, appropriately thick applicated larger markings remain visible for dark adapted human eyes for the whole night. This Ultraviolet light exposure induced activation and subsequent light emission process can be repeated again and again.

History Nemoto & Co., Ltd. – a global manufacturer of phosphorescent pigments and other specialized phosphors – was founded by Kenzo Nemoto in December 1941 as a luminous paint processing company and has supplied and developed luminous paint to the watch and clock and aviation instruments industry since. Super-LumiNova is based on LumiNova branded pigments, invented in 1993 by the Nemoto staff members Yoshihiko Murayama, Nobuyoshi Takeuchi, Yasumitsu Aoki and Takashi Matsuzawa as a safe replacement for radium-based luminous paints. The invention was patented in 1994 by Nemoto & Co., Ltd. and licensed to other manufacturers and watch brands. In 1998 Nemoto & Co. established a join-venture with RC Tritec AG called LumiNova AG, Switzerland to manufacture 100 percent Swiss made afterglow pigments branded as Super-LumiNova. After that, the production of radioactive luminous compounds by RC Tritec AG was completely stopped. According to RC Tritec AG the Swiss watch brands all use their Super-LumiNova pigments.

Color variations and grades

Over time, RC Tritec AG developed other afterglow color variations than the original Nemoto & Co. C3 green and higher grades of afterglow pigments. Any other Super-LumiNova emission color offering than C3 is achieved by adding colorants that adsorb light and hence limit the amount of light the afterglow pigment can absorb and emit. After the green glowing and pale yellow-green in daylight appearing C3 (emission at 515 nm) variant, the blue-green glowing and in daylight white appearing BGW9 (emission at 485 nm, close to the turquoise wavelength) color variant is the second most effective variant regarding pure afterglow brightness. Different colors can however be chosen to optimize (perceived) light emission, dictated by the human eye luminous efficiency function variance. Maximal light emission around wavelengths of 555 nm (green) is important for obtaining optimal photopic vision using the eye cone cells for observation in – or just coming from – well-lit conditions. Maximal light emission around wavelengths of 498 nm (cyan) is important for obtaining optimal scotopic vision using the eye rod cells for observation in low-light conditions. Besides technical and human eye dictated reasons, esthetic or other reasons can also influence Super-LumiNova color choices. Super-LumiNova is offered in three grade levels; Standard, A and X1. The initial brightness of these grades does not significantly vary, but the light intensity decay over time of the A and X1 grades is significantly reduced. This means the X1 grade takes the longest to become too dim to be useful for the human eye. Not all Super-LumiNova color variations are available in three grades. Super-Luminova technology has the introduction of Grade X2, enhancing watch readability in low-light conditions.

Stability Due to the fact that no chemical change occurs after a charge-discharge cycle, the pigments theoretically retain their afterglow properties indefinitely. A reduction in light intensity only occurs very slowly, almost imperceptibly. This reduction increases with the degree of coloring of the pigments. Intensely colored types lose their intensity more quickly than neutral ones. High temperatures of up to several hundred degrees Celsius are not a problem. The only thing that needs to be avoided is prolonged contact with water or high humidity, as this creates a hydroxide layer that negatively affects the light emission intensity.

Uses Besides being used in timepieces by industry and hobbyists, Super-LumiNova is also marketed for application on:

Instruments: scales, dials, markings, indicators, etc. Scales: engravings, silkscreen-printing Aviation instruments and markings Jewelry Safety- and emergency panels, signs, markings Aiming posts Various other parts

Application methods Super-LumiNova granulated pigments are applied either by manual application, screen printing or pad printing. RC Tritec AG recommends up to 0.30 mm (0.012 in) application thickness in one or multiple layer(s). Over that, the ultraviolet light starts getting problems to effectively reach and activate the bottom of the deposited pigment, diminishing the returns for additional application thickness. The pigments and binders are produced separately, as there is no optimal binder for differing applications. This forces RC Tritec AG to offer many solvent and non-solvent based binder systems to maximally concentrate the granulated pigments in the mixture for application on various surfaces. Alternatively, RC Tritec AG offers Lumicast pieces, which are highly concentrated luminous Super-LumiNova 3D-castings. According to RC Tritec AG these ceramic parts can be made in any customer desired shape and result in a higher light emission brightness when compared to the common application methods. Lumicast pieces can be glued or form fitted on various surfaces.

Alternative for afterglow pigments

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Super-LumiNova

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Super-LumiNova claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Super-LumiNova before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Super-LumiNova ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Super-LumiNova

In research: Super-LumiNova appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Super-LumiNova in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Super-LumiNova is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Horology, Luminescence, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Super-LumiNova outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

Ask Teacher Smith questions about this articleOpens your AI tutor with a question about “Super-LumiNova” →

Affiliate

Preply — study more efficiently by working with a personal tutor. 50% off.

How to study Super-LumiNova in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Super-LumiNova means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Super-LumiNova out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Super-LumiNova in simple terms?

Why does Super-LumiNova matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Super-LumiNova?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Super-LumiNova.