Emission spectra of vinylaromatic polymers

Polymers usually exhibit fluorescence and phosphorescence emission similar to that of low molecular weight model compounds. A general kinetic scheme can be used to describe the absorption and dissipation of energy in polymer films and solutions (the notation of Birks [3] has been used throughout this section) namely, 

The superscripts 1 and 3 refer to singlet and triplet states respectively and the asterisk denotes an excited state. 

The proximity of the chromophores in polymers favours the formation of intramolecular excimers. Since excimer formation takes place at the expense of other photophysical and photochemical processes, it has been suggested that wherever excimer formation is possible the photochemistry of the polymer is likely to be strongly affected. 

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