Triboluminescence

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Triboluminescence

• Mechanical stress separates charges
• Separated charges produce large electric field
• Accumulated charges jump gap, collide with
  nitrogen in air
• Nitrogen molecules emit light as they relax

• Greek tribein (to rub) Latin lumin (light)
• Light emitted when certain materials are rubbed,
  sawed, or struck

Nitrogen emission
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Candy Triboluminescence
Wintergreen absorption/emission spectra

• Sugars asymmetric crystal structure provides
  charge separation when broken
• Most of nitrogen emission spectrum is UV
• Wintergreen oil in Lifesavers absorbs UV and
  fluoresces blue light
• Results in much more visible emission spectrum

Lifesaver emission spectrum