X-ray spectroscopy in labs studying Fluorescence

[Soph_the_Oaf]

I did a bit of x-ray spectroscopy in labs studying Fluorescence of some different elements. I was just wondering whether or not flourescence occurs in all elements?
I'm sure I've read people talking about 'flourescecnt materials' or something like that.

I can't think of any reason why it couldn't occur in all atoms. All that has to happen is an electron gets ionized and then another electron moves down into its place.

Soph

 

[alxm]

Anything can fluoresce. What 'ordinary people' talk about when they say something is 'fluorescent' is usually one of two things:
a) A material which fluoresces in the visual range under UV light.
b) A phosphorescent material

 

[Vanadium 50]

For x-ray fluorescence, any atom (heavy enough) will fluoresce.