The Luminous Legacy: A Pixelated Journey through the History of Fluorescence.
Fluorescence
Fluorescence is a phenomenon in which a substance absorbs light at one wavelength and then emits light at a longer wavelength. The early observations of fluorescence you mentioned include the work of Bernardino de Sahagún and Nicolás Monardes in the 16th century, who described the fluorescence in the infusion known as lignum nephriticum (kidney wood). This fluorescence was due to a chemical compound called matlaline, which is the oxidation product of a flavonoid found in the wood of Pterocarpus indicus and Eysenhardtia polystachya.
In the 19th century, several scientists contributed to the understanding of fluorescence. E.D. Clarke and René Just Haüy studied the fluorescence in fluorites, while Sir David Brewster and Sir John Herschel described the fluorescence phenomena in chlorophyll and quinine, respectively.
George Gabriel Stokes played a significant role in the study of fluorescence. In his 1852 paper, he discussed the ability of certain substances like fluorspar (fluorite) and uranium glass to convert invisible ultraviolet light to visible light. He coined the term "fluorescence" inspired by the mineral fluorite, which can emit blue light due to traces of divalent europium acting as a fluorescent activator. Stokes's key experiments involved using a prism to isolate ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and observing the blue light emitted by an ethanol solution of quinine when it was exposed to this radiation.
The study of fluorescence has evolved significantly since these early observations, leading to a wide range of applications in various fields including mineralogy, chemistry, biology, and medicine..
Newton and Graham Bell Studies
This wood, when placed in water, creates an infusion known as lignum nephriticum (kidney wood), which exhibits notable fluorescent properties. The substance responsible for this fluorescence is matlaline, a product of the oxidation of a flavonoid found in the wood.
Historically, this phenomenon captured the attention of many scholars and scientists, including Sir Isaac Newton and Alexander Graham Bell. Newton, known for his extensive work on optics and light, likely studied the fluorescence exhibited by this wood as part of his broader investigations into the nature of light and colors. However, his direct comments on lignum nephriticum specifically are less well-documented in comparison to his other work.
Alexander Graham Bell, on the other hand, experimented with the photophone, an invention that allowed for the transmission of sound on a beam of light. In his experiments, Bell likely investigated various materials, including possibly lignum nephriticum, for their optical properties and their potential use in enhancing this early form of optical communication.
Both Newton and Bell's interest in such luminescent materials underscores the long-standing curiosity and scientific inquiry into the nature of light and its interactions with matter, tracing back to early observations and extending into the development of new technologies
Popes and Kings
Lignum nephriticum (kidney wood) was popular in Europe during the old days, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries. It gained notoriety for its medicinal properties and was used by various individuals, including members of the elite and even popes.
The wood's infusion, known for its striking blue fluorescence, was believed to have therapeutic benefits and was used as a remedy for kidney and urinary tract ailments. Its unique color and supposed health benefits contributed to its popularity among the European aristocracy and church officials.
