Fluorescence Spectroscopy (Spectrofluorometry)

Fluorescence spectroscopy, or spectrofluorometry, is an essential technique in the field of molecular analysis that measures the fluorescence emitted by a sample after excitation by light, often in the ultraviolet (UV) range. The technique leverages the principle that when certain molecules are excited by light, they emit light at a longer wavelength. Fluorescence typically occurs rapidly, within picoseconds to nanoseconds, unless a delayed emission process occurs, known as phosphorescence. The objective of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive overview of fluorescence spectroscopy, focusing on its underlying principles, instrumentation, and factors influencing performance. It also highlights a range of applications in various fields, such as chemical, biological, and environmental analysis, in which fluorimetry serves as a valuable tool for precise and sensitive measurements of molecular properties.