Stokes shift

Also contains definition of: anti-Stokes shift

The difference (usually in frequency units) between the spectral positions of the band maxima (or the band origin) of the absorption and luminescence arising from the same electronic transition. Generally, the luminescence occurring at a longer wavelength than the absorption is stronger than the opposite. The latter may be called an anti-Stokes shift.
See: coherent radiation
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 2223 (Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 2278