Determination of quantum efficiency in fluorescing turbid media.

A method is proposed to estimate the optical parameters in a fluorescing turbid medium with strong absorption for which traditional Kubelka-Munk theory is not applicable, using a model for the radiative properties of optically thick fluorescent turbid media of finite thickness proposed in 2009 [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A26, 1896 (2009)]. The method is successfully applied to uncoated papers with different thicknesses. It is found that the quantum efficiency of fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) is nearly independent of the fiber type, FWA type, FWA concentration, and filler additive concentration used in this study. The results enable an estimation of the model parameters as function of the FWA concentration and substrate composition. This is necessary in order to use the model for optimizing fluorescence in the paper and textile industries.