When exposed to light energy, the electrons of some substances will absorb some of that energy (photon) and jump to a higher electron shell
It will remain in that state for 10^-5 seconds, and return to the ground state
Must give off energy it absorbs
The act of giving off energy when it returns to the ground state is called fluorescence
Fluorometry
A) source
B) attenuator
C) Primary filter
D) sample holder
E) secondary filter
F) photomultiplier
G) readout
fluorometer
Most common light sources - mercury and xenon (mercury or xenon arc lamp)
fluorometer
Attenuator - going to control intensity of light
fluorometer
Primary filter - selects wavelength of light
fluorometer
Sample holder - round similar to test tube; not like cuvette shape as fluorescence is sent out in all directions; uniformly radiated
fluorometer
Secondary filter - at 90 degree angle, we have secondary filter that allows radiated or fluorescent light through, while blocking out any incident light that may have gotten through
