Intermolecular Energy Transfer and Concentration Depolarization of Fluorescent Light

Abstract

On the basis of Förster's general theory of energy transfer by resonance an expression has been derived which represents that fraction of the fluorescent light in a solution which is emitted by the same molecules that absorbed the incident photons. The formula applies up to about the critical concentration. It is founded on more complete considerations of nearest neighbors than those which lead to Förster's formula for the region of small concentrations. The relative merits of the two formulas are demonstrated by an application to the phenomenon of concentration depolarization of fluorescence.