Green laser lighting orange plastics

[Nutball]

I find it interesting how a green laser lights up orange plastics so well as if it simulates UV. Why does it do that?

 

[paul1598419]

Gees. I thought you have a photo. Is it any old orange plastic? Is there a particular wavelength of green that works best?

 

[RedCowboy]

Those orange bulls eye stickers turn the 450nm spot green-yellow, beware it's extremely bright.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-250-Or...m=283122319389&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

https://www.ebay.com/itm/100pcs-10p...h=item3b0d72029e:g:nGkAAOSwK1da~U5i:rk:8:pf:0

 

[Nutball]

Yea, I'm working on it. It happens with oranges that respond at least slightly to UV, but not all. Fabric, plastic, optic fibers...

Picture of a streak over fluorescent pink tape which fluoresces oranges with UV and 532nm



Plastic knob



DVD case



Old lava lamp with slightly yellow orange water




An orange highlighter, and a green and reddish optic fibers

I was using the ceiling fan to help kick up some dust... I got my laser caught in it

 

[paul1598419]

There are many fluorescence materials that fluoresce brightly at 405nm and 445nm. There are some that will also fluoresce at other wavelengths as well. But, these are normally fluorescent materials and not just random objects of a certain color under white light. I have some uranium glass that fluoresces yellow/green at 405nm. But, it won't under green or other colors I've tried.

 

[ZRaffleticket]

Just regular old fluorescence at work. Shorter wavelength (green -- more energy) excites an electron in the material to a higher energy state and steps its way down to the lower energy state emitting a longer wavelength (orange -- less energy) along the way. It's just more noticeable with UV light since there is more of the visible spectrum to see that fits the "less energy" criteria.

 

[paul1598419]

Green is not a shorter wavelength than 405nm.

 

[ZRaffleticket]

wasn't trying to say it is.

405nm opens up everything > 405nm (violet)
532nm opens up everything > 532nm (green)

 

[Anthony P]

Different florescent dyes absorb different wavelengths, not always UV. If you go to the exciton website www.exciton.com there is tons of information on hundreds of dyes including their absorption spectrum. Some dye lasers are pumped by argon lasers.

 

[paul1598419]

wasn't trying to say it is.

405nm opens up everything > 405nm (violet)
532nm opens up everything > 532nm (green)

I misunderstood your post, then. That is what it seemed to be saying to me. Sorry.

 

[Benm]

It differs by compound indeed, both the absorption wavelength and the emission wavelength.

I suppose things in orange plastic objects are azo dyes, and they will probably take in green light and fluoresce orange (or red) if exposed.

It's comparable to how you can light up green glow in the dark stuff quite easily with blu ray 405-ish laser light. This only works when the wavelength you excite the material with is shorter than the color emitted. You can throw an infinite amount of red light at a gitd toy, but it will never emit any light (unless you set it on fire).

 

[paul1598419]

Yes, lighting it on fire would put out some light. Hilarious!

 

[Pelagius]

Yea, I'm working on it. It happens with oranges that respond at least slightly to UV, but not all. Fabric, plastic, optic fibers...

Picture of a streak over fluorescent pink tape which fluoresces oranges with UV and 532nm

View attachment 61851

Plastic knob

View attachment 61852

DVD case

View attachment 61853

Old lava lamp with slightly yellow orange water
View attachment 61849

View attachment 61850

An orange highlighter, and a green and reddish optic fibers

I was using the ceiling fan to help kick up some dust... I got my laser caught in it
View attachment 61848

Pretty-now I have to try!

 

[Nutball]

I got yellow or orange off pink fabric. I've also gotten yellow too, but never red I don't think.