At what point does the light emission from electrons contribute to imaging?

The light emission from electrons contributes to imaging when electrons move back to lower energy states. This process occurs when an electron that has been excited to a higher energy level returns to a more stable, lower energy state. During this transition, the electron releases energy in the form of light (photons), which can be detected and used to form images. This phenomenon is fundamental in various imaging technologies, such as fluorescence microscopy and certain types of imaging used in radiology and other medical applications.

In contrast, the other options describe stages or processes that do not directly result in light emission as part of imaging. For instance, when electrons absorb photons or during their transition to a higher energy state, these actions lead to excitation but not to the release of light that contributes to imaging. Stimulation by electric fields can influence electron movement, but the specific contribution of light to imaging only occurs upon their return to lower energy states. Therefore, understanding this transition mechanism is crucial for grasping how imaging techniques utilize electron behavior to produce visible signals.