Why uranium glass glows green if it's under UV light?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the fluorescence of uranium glass, specifically its green glow under UV light, attributed to the presence of the Uranyl cation (UO2+). It is established that the intensity of the green light correlates with the amount of uranium oxide incorporated into the glass. The fluorescence phenomenon occurs during electronic transitions, particularly from the first excited singlet state to the ground state, involving charge transfer transitions between oxygen and uranium orbitals.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluorescence and its mechanisms
  • Knowledge of Uranyl cation (UO2+) and its properties
  • Familiarity with electronic transitions in molecular structures
  • Basic concepts of optical spectra and electronic structures
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of uranium oxide in glass manufacturing
  • Study the principles of fluorescence and electronic transitions
  • Examine the optical properties of Uranyl compounds
  • Explore the implications of charge transfer transitions in materials science
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Chemists, materials scientists, and glass manufacturers interested in the properties of uranium glass and its applications in fluorescence technology.

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Hello

Why the uranium glass glows green if it's under UV light?

The most accurate thing I have found it's a brief history of uranium glass: somewhere it's said the more uranium oxide you put in the glass, the more intense will be the green light when exposed to UV light.

Thank you for your time.

Greetings.
 
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Fluorescence.
 
This is called "fluorescence" and is due to the Uranyl cation UO#_2^+##. Maybe best known is the fluorescence of fluorescein, which is contained e.g. in bath soaps.
 
Hello

Thank you for your answers.

My mistake, I will reformulate the question (for a deeper answer) which transitions (of which components) converts UV into green light in the uranium glass?

Thank you for your time.

Greetings.
 
Fluorescence is usually observed for the first excited singlet to ground state transition. May be a charge transfer transition.
Edit: Here is an article which contains information on the relevant electronic structures:
http://doc.sciencenet.cn/upload/file/20113421491684.pdf
The optical spectra are in deed due to electronic transfer of electrons located in p-orbitals on Oxygen to non-bonding f-orbitals on Uranium.
 
Last edited:
Thank you very much! :D

Greetings!
 

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