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. See phosphorescence
   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

Not applying selection simply meant propagating the populations forward at random regardless of their fluorescence.

From Nautilus

In the second phase, Zheng and his colleagues applied the same selection pressure across all three populations in order to have them evolve toward increased green fluorescence.

From Nautilus

The lead halide perovskite domains made by fluorescence microscopy.

From Singularity Hub 

A few weeks after the heat stress, this red fluorescence jumped.

From Science News For Students

The glow is produced through a process is known as fluorescence.

From Science News For Students

This solution will show a characteristic blue fluorescence when quinin is present.

From Project Gutenberg

In other words, Grew seems to have observed the characteristic fluorescence of chlorophyll.

From Project Gutenberg

Anthracene is a white crystalline hydrocarbon, having a bluish fluorescence, melting at 213° C. and boiling above 360° C.

From Project Gutenberg

My Platinochloride develops octohedron crystals,—with a fine blue fluorescence.

From Project Gutenberg

Mineral oils have a characteristic bloom, showing a greenish fluorescence when examined by transmitted light.

From Project Gutenberg