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Photonics Dictionary

nonradiative transition

A nonradiative transition refers to a process in which an electron or an atom undergoes a change in its energy state without emitting a photon. In contrast to radiative transitions, where a photon is emitted or absorbed during the process, nonradiative transitions involve the exchange of energy without the emission or absorption of electromagnetic radiation.

Nonradiative transitions can occur through various mechanisms, such as:

Phonon emission or absorption: In solids, lattice vibrations (phonons) can interact with electrons, leading to changes in energy states without the emission of light. This is common in processes like thermalization of excited electrons.

Collisional processes: Interactions with other particles, such as collisions with other electrons or atoms, can result in nonradiative energy exchanges.

Internal conversion: In molecular systems, internal conversion involves the nonradiative transition between electronic states of the same multiplicity. This process often competes with radiative processes, such as fluorescence or phosphorescence.

Vibrational relaxation: In molecules, excited vibrational states can undergo nonradiative transitions to lower energy vibrational states without emitting a photon.

Nonradiative transitions are significant in understanding the behavior of atoms and molecules, particularly in the context of electronic, vibrational, and thermal processes. While radiative transitions are associated with the emission or absorption of light, nonradiative transitions play a crucial role in redistributing energy within a system without involving photons.

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