Fluorescence is the emission of visible light by a substance that has absorbed light of a different wavelength. In most cases, absorption of light of a smaller wavelength induces emission of light with a larger (less energetic) wavelength. A smaller wavelength emission is sometimes observed from multiple photon absorption, but this occurs only under conditions of intense radiation such as are available with laser light. The energy difference between the absorbed and emitted photons is dissipated in the fluorescent material, via internal molecular vibrations and eventually heat. The most striking examples of this phenomenon occur when the absorbed photon is in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum, and is thus invisible, and the emitted light is in the visible region. Practical applications of this effect are found in mineralology, gemology, chemical sensors, fluorescent labelling, dyes, biological detectors etc. Newer applications of fluorescent compounds are being explored daily.

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