Sensitized phosphorescence studies of p-xylene + biacetyl system, an optical antenna

p-Xylene sensitized biacetyl fluorescence and phosphorescence has been investigated and photosensitized phosphorescence lifetimes of biacetyl in the vapor phase has been determined. Attempts to detect the triplet of biacetyl by its absorption spectrum were unsuccessful, due to primarily, it is believed, to the low extinction coefficients of the triplet, and the low triplet concentrations produced by the optical pumping device at room temperature.