Term: quantum yield, Φ
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.Q04991

Definition:
The integral quantum yield is \[\mathit{\Phi}(\lambda) = \frac{\text{number of events}}{\text{number of photons absorbed}}\] For a photochemical reaction, \[\mathit{\Phi}(\lambda) = \frac{\text{amount of reactant consumed or product formed}}{\text{number of photons absorbed}}\] The differential quantum yield is \[\mathit{\Phi}(\lambda) = \frac{\text{d}x/\text{d}t}{q_{n,\text{p}}^{0}[ 1 - 10^{-A(\lambda)} ]}\] where dx/dt is the rate of change of a measurable quantity (spectral or any other property), and qn,p0 the amount of photons (mol or its equivalent einstein) incident (prior to absorption) per time interval (photon flux, amount basis). Aλ is the absorbance at the excitation wavelength.

Notes:
0) Strictly, the term quantum yield applies only for monochromatic excitation. Thus, for the differential quantum yield, the absorbed spectral photon flux density (number basis or amount basis) should be used in the denominator of the equation above when x is either the number concentration (C = N / V), or the @A00295@ (c), respectively.
1) Φ can be used for @P04647@ (such as, e.g., @I03123@, @F02453@ and @P04569@) or photochemical reactions.

Related Terms:
1) amount concentration (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00295).
2) photophysical processes (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04647).
3) intersystem crossing (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03123).
4) fluorescence (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.F02453).
5) phosphorescence (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04569).
6) photochemical reaction (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04585).
7) measurable quantity (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03788).
8) absorbance (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00028).
9) wavelength (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.W06659).

Source: PAC, 2007, 79, 293. 'Glossary of terms used in photochemistry, 3rd edition (IUPAC Recommendations 2006)' on page 406 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200779030293)

Citation: 'quantum yield, Φ' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.Q04991

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