Comparison of Fluorescence-to-Phosphorescence Quantum Yield Ratios in Solid-Matrix Luminescence as a Function of Temperature

An equation that relates the ratio of fluorescence to phosphorescence quantum yields as function of temperature to basic photophysical parameters is considered. The quantum yields were obtained from three compounds on three different solid matrices. Fluorescence quantum yields did not change much with temperature, while phosphorescence quantum yields changed more substantially with temperature. For some of the systems considered, it was possible to show that, as the temperature was lowered, the quantum yield ratio was only a function of the phosphorescence lifetime of the phosphor. However, with other systems, the quantum yield ratio was dependent on both the rate constant of intersystem crossing from the singlet state to the triplet state and the phosphorescence lifetime. The equation discussed is important in defining the fundamental parameters that cause the luminescence quantum yield ratio to change as temperature is lowered.