fluorometer

A fluorometer is an instrument used to measure fluorescence and related phenomena, such as the intensity of radiation. Fluorescence itself is the emission of electromagnetic radiation, typically visible light, caused by the excitation of atoms in a material. This excitation is usually triggered by absorbing energy from incident radiation or particles. The re-emission of light happens almost instantaneously, within about 10^-8 seconds, and ceases when the exciting source is removed.12

This process is a form of photoluminescence, where electromagnetic radiation excites matter, leading to the emission of light. Often, the emitted light has a wavelength equal to or longer than the exciting light. Fluorometers are valuable tools for analyzing molecules and have applications in areas like preventing stamp counterfeiting and making fabrics appear whiter. A related instrument is the photofluorometer, which is a photoelectric fluorometer.3425