Fluorometers
Fluorometers
Instruments and respective accessories used to characterize the fluorescence a sample. Includes assays for a variety of applications.
Fluorometers or fluorospectrometers are used to identify the presence and quantity of specific molecules in a medium. The mechanisms of measurement involve a light source to excite the molecules to fluoresce and a means to isolate a specific wavelength at which to measure the light emitted.
Advantages of fluorescence include:
- Sensitivity: Measures concentrations in the picomole and femtomole ranges (and lower)
- Quantitative: Fluorescence signals are proportional to concentration; changes in intensity occur rapidly, making the technique suitable for in situ studies and fast processes
- Safe: Non-destructive to biological samples, with no hazardous byproducts
Some examples of fluorescence spectroscopy areas of use include:
- Biology
- To measurethe fluorescence of chlorophyll (plant physiology)
- Observe cellular processes
- Molecule detection
- Biochemistry
- Cytometry and cell sorting
- Gel electrophoresis
- Chemistry
- Fluorescent detectors in HPLC and other chromatography applications
- Laser-induced fluorescence to study molecular electronic structures
- Measure concentrations in combustion, plasma, and flow phenomena
- Organic compound analysis
- Environmentalmonitoring
- Analyze dissolved organic matter in water to identify sources and paths
- Forensics
- Detecting fingerprints and blood
- Analyzing fibers and other materials
- Medicine
- Tissue analysis for cancer detection
- Glucose sensors
- DNA sequencing
- Other
- Gemstone analysis
- Mineral analysis
- Crude oil residue assessments