title: Mechanism of whitening and quenching.
abstract: The processes of radiation absorption in a molecule and the energy release by thermal or chemical deactivation, phosphorescence, and fluorescence are outlined briefly, and the difference between fluorescent and non-fluorescent dyestuffs is discussed under physical aspects. After a description of the optical mode of action of fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs), the colorimetrical methods of characterizing FWAs and evaluating the whiteness are investigated.
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D003116:Color; D003124:Colorimetry; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000528:radiation effects; D005453:Fluorescence; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008027:Light; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D010825:Physics; D011827:Radiation
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents