Light source

Definition: A light source is any body that emits light. The bodies which have their own power of radiating light are known as self-luminous. The bodies which have no light of their own but are visible only by the light falling on them from other sources are said to be non-luminous bodies. The light sources which can be approximated as geometrical points are called points sources. Light sources that extend over one dimension or more are termed extended sources; such sources consist of innumerable point sources. In the context of fNIRS, a light source refers to a device (e.g., laser, LED, lamp) emitting light onto the surface of the tissue or phantom of interest.

Alternative definition:

Synonym: light sources, source

References:

https://doi.org/10.1117/1.NPh.8.1.012101

Related terms: Laser