What does fluorescence mean?

Definitions for fluorescence
flʊˈrɛs əns, flɔ-, floʊ-flu·o·res·cence

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word fluorescence.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. fluorescencenoun

    light emitted during absorption of radiation of some other (invisible) wavelength

GCIDE

  1. Fluorescencenoun

    A luminescence emitted by certain substances due to the absorption of radiation at one wavelength, and the almost instantaneous re-emission of radiation at another, usually longer wavelength. The re-radiation stops almost as soon as the incident radiation is halted, thus distinguishing this phenomenon from phosphorescence, in which re-radiation of light may continue for some time after the incident radiation is halted. The color of the radiated light typically differs from the apparent color of the material, as when green crystals of fluor spar afford blue reflections. It is due not to the difference in the color of a distinct surface layer, but to the power which the substance has of modifying the light incident upon it, by first absorbing the light to achieve an excited state, and then radiating light to resume the ground energy level. The light emitted by fluorescent substances is in general of longer wavelength than the incident light. The radiation can also be induced by ionizing radiation which is not electromagnetic, such as alpha or beta rays, and cathode rays. This property is possessed by fluorspar, uranium glass, sulphide of calcium, and many other substances. It finds use in analytical instruments to detect or measure radiation, and in some commercial applications.

Wiktionary

  1. fluorescencenoun

    The emission of light (or other electromagnetic radiation) by a material when stimulated by the absorption of radiation or of a subatomic particle

  2. fluorescencenoun

    The light so emitted

  3. Etymology: Coined 1852 by physicist George Stokes from fluorspar + -escence

Wikipedia

  1. Fluorescence

    Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation. It is a form of luminescence. In most cases, the emitted light has a longer wavelength, and therefore a lower photon energy, than the absorbed radiation. A perceptible example of fluorescence occurs when the absorbed radiation is in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum (invisible to the human eye), while the emitted light is in the visible region; this gives the fluorescent substance a distinct color that can only be seen when the substance has been exposed to UV light. Fluorescent materials cease to glow nearly immediately when the radiation source stops, unlike phosphorescent materials, which continue to emit light for some time after. Fluorescence has many practical applications, including mineralogy, gemology, medicine, chemical sensors (fluorescence spectroscopy), fluorescent labelling, dyes, biological detectors, cosmic-ray detection, vacuum fluorescent displays, and cathode-ray tubes. Its most common everyday application is in (gas-discharge) fluorescent lamps and LED lamps, in which fluorescent coatings convert UV or blue light into longer-wavelengths resulting in white light which can even appear indistinguishable from that of the traditional but energy- inefficient incandescent lamp. Fluorescence also occurs frequently in nature in some minerals and in many biological forms across all kingdoms of life. The latter may be referred to as biofluorescence, indicating that the fluorophore is part of or is extracted from a living organism (rather than an inorganic dye or stain). But since fluorescence is due to a specific chemical, which can also be synthesized artificially in most cases, it is sufficient to describe the substance itself as fluorescent.

ChatGPT

  1. fluorescence

    Fluorescence is a type of luminescence where a substance absorbs light or other electromagnetic radiation and then emits light almost instantaneously. This emission of light continues only as long as the stimulation continues. It happens when an orbital electron of a molecule, atom or nanostructure relaxes to its ground state by emitting a photon after being excited to a higher quantum state by some type of energy. It is commonly used in scientific research, lighting, and technological devices.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Fluorescencenoun

    that property which some transparent bodies have of producing at their surface, or within their substance, light different in color from the mass of the material, as when green crystals of fluor spar afford blue reflections. It is due not to the difference in the color of a distinct surface layer, but to the power which the substance has of modifying the light incident upon it. The light emitted by fluorescent substances is in general of lower refrangibility than the incident light

  2. Etymology: [From Fluor.]

Wikidata

  1. Fluorescence

    Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation. It is a form of luminescence. In most cases, the emitted light has a longer wavelength, and therefore lower energy, than the absorbed radiation. However, when the absorbed electromagnetic radiation is intense, it is possible for one electron to absorb two photons; this two-photon absorption can lead to emission of radiation having a shorter wavelength than the absorbed radiation. The emitted radiation may also be of the same wavelength as the absorbed radiation, termed "resonance fluorescence". The most striking examples of fluorescence occur when the absorbed radiation is in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum, and thus invisible to the human eye, and the emitted light is in the visible region. Fluorescence has many practical applications, including mineralogy, gemology, chemical sensors, fluorescent labelling, dyes, biological detectors, and, most commonly, fluorescent lamps.

U.S. National Library of Medicine

  1. Fluorescence

    The property of emitting radiation while being irradiated. The radiation emitted is usually of longer wavelength than that incident or absorbed, e.g., a substance can be irradiated with invisible radiation and emit visible light. X-ray fluorescence is used in diagnosis.

The Standard Electrical Dictionary

  1. Fluorescence

    The property of converting ether waves of one length, sometimes of invisible length, into waves of another length (visible). AEsculin, quinine salts, uranium glass and other substances exhibit this phenomenon. The phenomenon is utilized in the production of Geissler tubes.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of fluorescence in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of fluorescence in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of fluorescence in a Sentence

  1. Michael Collins:

    There is an area that is considerably more illuminated than the surrounding area, it just has seems to have a slight amount of fluorescence to it. A crater can be seen, and the area around the crater is quite bright.

  2. Professor Karsten Koenig:

    We use femtosecond laser pulses. We scan the skin and we get signals from the skin, particularly fluorescence, as well as another signal called second harmonic generation. So with these two signals we can build up images and get a precise look into the skin with a high resolution. The resolution is a factor of one thousand (times) better than ultrasound. So now you get the information without taking biopsies; normally you slice them, you stain them, and then a pathologist would look through these sections. Now you can get this information in seconds, labor free and with this fantastic resolution.

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Translations for fluorescence

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"fluorescence." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/fluorescence>.

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