Fluorescence spectrophotometry is a technique used in chemistry to measure the amount of light emitted by fluorescent molecules. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as "flʊəˈrɛsəns spɛktrəˈfɒtəmɛtri". The stress falls on the second syllable "res" in "fluorescence" and the second syllable "tor" in "spectrophotometry". The combination of the letters "pho" in "spectrophotometry" is pronounced as /fə/ due to the Greek origin of the word.
Fluorescence spectrophotometry is a technique utilized in analytical chemistry to measure the emission of fluorescent light by a substance when it is excited by an external light source. This method is based on the principle that certain molecules have the ability to absorb photons of a specific wavelength and subsequently emit photons at a longer wavelength.
When a sample is subjected to a beam of light with a specific wavelength, known as the excitation wavelength, the molecules in the sample become excited and are temporarily raised to a higher-energy state. However, they quickly return to their ground state by emitting photons of lower energy, resulting in fluorescence. These emitted photons are then collected and measured using a spectrophotometer, which determines their intensity and wavelength.
Fluorescence spectrophotometry offers several advantages over other analytical techniques. Firstly, it provides high sensitivity, as even low concentrations of fluorescent molecules can be detected. Secondly, it has a wide dynamic range, allowing for the measurement of both low and high concentrations. Additionally, it offers excellent selectivity, as the emission of fluorescent light is specific to certain molecules. This allows for the identification and quantification of specific compounds in complex mixtures.
This technique is extensively utilized in various fields such as biochemistry, pharmacology, environmental analysis, and forensic science. It is particularly valuable in biomedical research, where it is employed in the study of fluorescence-labeled biomolecules and fluorescent probes for cellular imaging. Fluorescence spectrophotometry plays a crucial role in elucidating biological processes, detecting diseases, and monitoring drug interactions.
The word "fluorescence" originated from the Latin term "fluor", which means "flow" or "flux". It was first used by Sir George Stokes in 1852 to describe the emission of light by certain substances when exposed to radiation. Stokes noticed that when ultraviolet light was absorbed by certain materials, it was re-emitted as visible light. The term "spectro-" is derived from the Latin word "spectrum", which refers to an array of colors produced when light is separated into its various wavelengths. Lastly, "photometry" comes from the Greek words "phos" (light) and "metron" (measurement), which collectively means the measurement of light. Overall, "fluorescence spectrophotometry" describes the method of measuring light emitted by fluorescent substances when exposed to specific wavelengths of light.