Lightstick Spectra

Chemiluminescence and Fluorescence

Chemiluminescence and blacklight induced fluorescence of Omniglow lightsticks;
recorded using an Ocean Optics fluorescence CCD spectrometer (200 micron slits).
Long UV radiation (peaking @ 370nm) used to induce fluorescence of the “dead” lightstick.

Notice the strong simularity of the CL and BIF spectra, indicating that the same dye compound that emits the CL is also stimulated to fluoresce by the long UV light from the blacklight.  Some of the spectra show more than one band of light, suggesting that more than one excited state of the dye is participating in the luminescence.  More information about this experiment can be found in the article J Chem Ed 1999, v 76, pg 84 by C. Salter, K. Range, and G. Salter.