Abstract

A fiber-optic system is reported for rapid, accurate, and precise 77 K measurements of relatively long phosphorescence lifetimes (τ<i>p</i> = 200 ms). The instrument employs stimulated Raman scattering in connection with a pulsed laser source for sample excitation. Phosphorescence decay waveforms are collected at maximum emission wavelengths with a single channel detection system and the aid of a LabVIEW based in-house program acting as a data acquisition instrument, data storage device, and data interpreter. By means of program looping, up to 20 decays are recorded from a frozen sample in less than 5 min. A cryogenic fiber-optic probe directly frozen into the sample matrix removes the random errors associated with the classic sample freezing procedure and provides excellent reproducibility of measurements. The relative standard deviations of τ<i>p</i> measured from several polycyclic aromatic compounds varied between 0 and 4.30%. The simplicity of the experimental procedure, the rather large τ<i>p</i> differences observed from compounds within the same pollutant class, and the analytical figures of merit provide a solid foundation for pursuing low-temperature phosphorescence, time-resolved low-temperature phosphorescence, and low-temperature multidimensional luminescence analysis.

Polymeric Matrices for Organic Phosphors*

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J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 9(6) 972-977 (1992)

High Resolution Luminescence Spectrometer. 1: Simultaneous Recording of Total Luminescence and Phosphorescence

Vo Dinh Tuan and Urs P. Wild
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Subpicogram laser-induced fluorescence detection of aromatic hydrocarbons in vapor-deposited aromatic crystals

Charles F. Pace and Jon R. Maple
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C. E. Thompson
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 55(9) 1184-1185 (1965)