Fluorescent tape doesn't actually fluoresce in the technical sense. It is more accurately described as photoluminescent tape, which works by absorbing light and then slowly releasing it over time.
Here's a breakdown:
- Light Absorption: The tape contains photoluminescent pigments (often strontium aluminate), which absorb light energy from sources like sunlight, artificial lights, or even a flashlight. The more light the tape absorbs, the stronger and longer the subsequent glow.
- Energy Storage: These pigments temporarily store the absorbed light energy.
- Light Emission: The stored energy is then released slowly as visible light, creating the glowing effect. This process is what makes the tape visible in the dark. The brightness and duration of the glow depend on the intensity and duration of the initial light exposure. The more intense the light and the longer the exposure, the brighter and longer-lasting the glow will be.
In simple terms: the tape "charges" with light and then "glows" as it discharges that light.
