Absorption and emission spectroscopy in scattering media: modelling of fluorescence decay curves and photometric laws for systems with inhomogeneous absorber distribution

Summary The optical absorption and fluorescence of scattering samples is investigated theoretically and experimentally under the condition of steady-state and pulsed irradiation, taking into account inhomogeneous distribution of the absorbing species. Based on the Kubelka-Munk model, numerical iterative expressions for the steady-state and time-resolved light flues of excitation and emission are derived. The intensities of reflected, transmitted and forward or backward emitted radiation in layered samples with vertical concentration gradients are discussed. Modification of fluorescence spectra and decay curves due to self absorption, background absorption, secondary emission and time of flight dispersion are calculated and compared to experimental data of hydrocarbons adsorbed on polycrystalline silica gel.