kjemiluminescens

Kjemiluminescens is a phenomenon where light is produced by a chemical reaction. This light emission occurs when a chemical reaction produces an excited molecule, which then returns to its ground state by emitting a photon. Unlike incandescence, which involves heat, or fluorescence and phosphorescence, which require external excitation by light, kjemiluminescens is entirely driven by the energy released from the chemical transformation itself.

The basic process involves reactants undergoing a chemical reaction to form an excited state intermediate. This intermediate can then relax to a lower energy state by emitting light. The color and intensity of the emitted light depend on the specific chemical species involved and the energy difference between the excited and ground states. Kjemiluminescens reactions are often very efficient, with a significant portion of the reaction's energy converted into light.

A well-known example of kjemiluminescens is found in glow sticks. When the inner vial of chemicals is broken, two substances mix, initiating a reaction that produces light. Another application is in analytical chemistry, where kjemiluminescens can be used to detect and quantify substances with high sensitivity. Medical diagnostics also utilize kjemiluminescens, for instance, in immunoassay tests to detect specific biomarkers. The absence of heat generation during kjemiluminescens makes it suitable for applications where heat could damage sensitive materials.