Basis of differentiation

Fluorescence

Luminescence 

Definition

Fluorescence is the absorption of energy by atoms or molecules followed by the emission of light or electromagnetic radiation

Is a spontaneous emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat 

Types 

TIRF, wide-field epifluorescence microscopy, and confocal microscopy

Photoluminesce, chemiluminescence, crystalloluminescence  

Lifetime

The lifetime of the excited state is very short, and photons are emitted from the atoms immediately after incident photons are absorbed 

A photon may be illuminated at any given time, and its lifetime may very from process to process 

Applications 

Mineralogy, fluorescent labeling, use in dyes 

Emissive displays, fluorescence lamps, LEDs