fluorescence

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

noun

, Physics, Chemistry.

1. the emission of radiation, especially of visible light, by a substance during exposure to external radiation, as light or x-rays. Compare phosphorescence ( def 1 ).
2. the property possessed by a substance capable of such emission.
3. the radiation so produced.

fluorescence

/ ˌflʊəˈrɛsəns /

noun

1. 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 ^–8seconds
2. the radiation emitted as a result of fluorescence Compare phosphorescence

fluorescence

1. 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.

Notes

“Black light” depends on fluorescence for its effects.

Other Words From

• nonfluo·rescence noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fluorescence¹

C19: fluor + -escence (as in opalescence )

Example Sentences

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

From Science Daily

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

From Science Daily

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

From Science Daily

The resulting images showed details about carbon content in the cells that had not been seen through other methods, such as electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy.

From Science Daily

When she examined the results 48 hours later under a fluorescence microscope, Yao found that only a small percentage of the cells that had not received the electrical pulses glowed green.

From Science Daily