What Is Photoluminescence?

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Photoluminescence is the emission of light from any form of matter after the absorption of photons (electromagnetic radiation). It is a form of luminescence (light emission) and is initiated by photoexcitation (excitation by photons), thus the prefix photo.
After excitation various relaxation processes typically occur in which other photons are once again radiated. The time periods between absorption and emission may vary: ranging from short femto seconds to milliseconds for phosphorescent processes in molecular systems .Delay of emission may sometimes even last for minutes or hours.
Depending on the time delay of emission , there are two types of photoluminescence ,namely ,Fluorescence and Phosphorescence.
Phosphorescence: Photoluminescence takes …show more content…

The reason being that excited molecules usually decay to the lowest vibrational level of the excited state before fluorescence emission takes place.
2) Mirror image rule - The absorption spectrum is a mirror image of the emission spectrum for many fluorophores. This is known as the mirror image rule.
3) Stokes shift - Generally the emitted fluorescent light has a longer wavelength and lower energy than the absorbed light. This phenomenon is known as Stokes shift. It is due to the loss of energy between the time a photon is absorbed and when it is emitted.

Many living organisms in nature display fluorescent pigments. More than 180 different species of fluorescent fishes have been identified. The red fluorescence of ruby is caused by trivalent chromium, Divalent manganese accounts for the red or orange fluorescence in calcite and also for the green fluorescence of willemite. Natural aurora is another effect of fluorescence. The molecules and ions that are formed in high-altitude nuclear explosions and rocket-borne electron gun experiments, have a fluorescent response to light.

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