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fluorescence

[floo-res-uhns, flaw-, floh-]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Physics, Chemistry.

the emission of radiation, especially of visible light, by a substance during exposure to external radiation, as light or x-rays.
the property possessed by a substance capable of such emission.
the radiation so produced.

fluorescence

/ ˌ�ڱ�ʊəˈ��ɛ��ə�Բ� /

noun

physics
1. the emission of light or other radiation from atoms or molecules that are bombarded by particles, such as electrons, or by radiation from a separate source. The bombarding radiation produces excited atoms, molecules, or ions and these emit photons as they fall back to the ground state
2. such an emission of photons that ceases as soon as the bombarding radiation is discontinued
3. such an emission of photons for which the average lifetime of the excited atoms and molecules is less than about 10 ^–8 seconds
the radiation emitted as a result of fluorescence Compare phosphorescence

fluorescence

The emission of light from an object as a result of bombardment by other kinds of electromagnetic radiation, such as x-rays or ultraviolet rays. Fluorescent materials may appear one color when bathed in visible light and another color when exposed to other kinds of electromagnetic radiation.

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“Black light” depends on fluorescence for its effects.

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Other Word Forms

nonfluorescence noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of fluorescence¹

1852; fluor(spar) + -escence, on the model of opalescence ( def. ), in reference to the mineral's newly discovered property

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Word History and Origins

Origin of fluorescence¹

C19: _fluor + -escence (as in opalescence )

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

With expertise in biophysics, Chauvier and Nils Walter, U-M professor of chemistry, biophysics, utilized their advanced single molecule fluorescence microscopes to analyze the kinetics of the structure.

From

While conventional fluorescence microscopy has been useful for studying cellular structures, it has been limited by the diffraction of light, restricting its ability to resolve features smaller than a few hundred nanometers.

From

The fluorescence made it easy to observe cells as they formed patterns.

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In case of techniques like fluorescence microscopy they deal with specific light sources on a black background.

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The intensity of this laser-induced fluorescence changes depending on the external magnetic field.

From

fluorescein fluorescence-activated cell sorter

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