IUPAC

IUPAC documents on fluorescence will be updated including advances registered during the last fifteen years. Particular attention will be given to newly developed reference materials and methods.

Fifteen years ago, David Eaton undertook the task of collecting information on fluorescence methods and materials as a task of the IUPAC Commission on Photochemistry. Two relevant documents evolved from this work: 1) Reference Materials for Fluorescence Measurement, Pure Appl. Chem., 60(7), 1107-1114 (1988); 2) Recommended Methods for Fluorescence Decay Analysis, Pure Appl. Chem., 62(8), 1631-1648 (1990).

Since Eaton's documents were written, new reference materials appeared and the subject evolved rapidly with the incorporation of new areas and methods which were not or only poorly developed at that time. A few examples are single molecule fluorescence, ultrafast fluorescence detection, fluorescence microscopy and so forth. Many of these areas are of utmost relevance in materials science and in biology. In general, the interest shifted impressively to organized, (micro)heterogeneous systems.

Through the present project we propose an update of Eaton's documents, with a renewed body of reference information and the incorporation of a brief overview on new methods and techniques which may guide those entering the field through this fascinating topic. At the same time, the scope of the work will be broadened to include luminescence from molecular emitters in their triplet state or states with mixed spin multiplicity, quantum dots, etc. Thus, the term "fluorescence" appearing in the earlier documents has been replaced by the far more comprehensive term "photoluminescence". Reference methods will include recommendations for the calibration of luminescence measuring systems, the correction of emission, excitation, action and polarization spectra, the determination of quantum yields in different spectral ranges and the determination of lifetimes or decay kinetics in the various achievable time scales. Whenever possible, extension to non-dilute, unclear or complex systems of applied interest will be performed.

On defining the task group people were selected, both who participated in the earlier projects, giving continuity to the work already done, and new scientists. Together they will constitute a team having a broad and active view on the subject.

The Task Group joined at the XX IUPAC Symposium on Photochemistry, held in July 2004 in Granada. It was decided, taking into account the high number of participants, that the project would be divided into subtasks. Up to now, a provisional subdivision has been achieved (see report below)

> Nov 2004 report update (pdf file - 17KB)

> May 2006 report update (pdf file - 13KB)

> July 2007 report update (pdf file - 10KB)

Chem. Int. Nov-Dec 2004>