Fluoresce
Fluoresce
Fluoresce (/flʊəˈrɛs/, /flɔːˈrɛs/) is a term used in Physics and Chemistry to describe the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation. It is a form of luminescence.
Etymology
The term "fluoresce" is derived from the mineral fluorite, which was one of the first substances observed to exhibit this phenomenon. The mineral itself was named after the Latin word "fluere", meaning "to flow", due to its use in metallurgy.
Process
When a photon of light is absorbed by a molecule, it excites the molecule, raising it to a higher energy state. The molecule then returns to its ground state by emitting a photon of light, a process known as fluorescence. The emitted light usually has a longer wavelength, and therefore lower energy, than the absorbed radiation.
Related Terms
- Fluorescence Spectroscopy: A technique used to measure the intensity of the emitted light, providing information about the number and type of molecules present.
- Fluorophore: The component of a molecule that produces fluorescence.
- Photoluminescence: The process of light emission from any form of matter after the absorption of photons.
- Phosphorescence: A specific type of photoluminescence related to fluorescence. Unlike fluorescence, a phosphorescent material does not immediately re-emit the radiation it absorbs.
Applications
Fluorescence has many practical applications, including mineralogy, gemology, chemical sensors (fluorescence spectroscopy), fluorescent labelling, dyes, and biological detectors. It is also used in some research applications such as fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM).
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fluoresce
- Wikipedia's article - Fluoresce
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