The fluorescence produced by radium may be observed when the fluorescent
screen is separated from the radium by absorbent screens. We were able
to observe the illumination of a screen of barium platinocyanide across
the human body. However, the action is incomparably greater when the
screen is placed immediately in contact with the radium, being separated
from it by no solid screen at all. All the groups of rays appear capable
of producing fluorescence.
In order to observe the action of polonium, the substance must be placed
close to the fluorescent screen, without the intervention of a solid
screen, unless the latter be extremely thin.
The luminosity of fluorescent substances exposed to the action of
radio-active bodies diminishes with time. At the same time the
fluorescent substance undergoes a transformation. The following are
examples:—
Radium rays transform barium platinocyanide into a brown, less luminous
variety (an action similar to that produced by Röntgen rays, and
described by M. Villard). Uranium sulphate and potassium sulphate are
similarly altered. The changed barium platinocyanide is partially
regenerated by the action of light. If the radium be placed beneath a
layer of barium platinocyanide spread on paper, the platinocyanide
becomes luminous; if the system be kept in the dark, the platinocyanide
becomes changed, and its luminosity diminishes considerably. But if the
whole be exposed to light, the platinocyanide is partially regenerated,
and if the whole is replaced in darkness the luminosity reappears with
vigour. By means of a fluorescent body and a radio-active body, we have
therefore obtained a system which acts as a phosphorescent body capable
of long duration of phosphorescence.
Glass made fluorescent by the action of radium becomes coloured brown or
violet. At the same time its fluorescence diminishes. If the glass thus
changed be warmed, it is decolorised, and when this occurs the glass
becomes luminous. The glass has now regained its fluorescent property in
the same degree as before the transformation.
Zinc sulphide, which has been exposed for a sufficient length of time to
the action of radium, gradually becomes used up, and loses its
phosphorescent property, whether under the action of radium or that of
light.
The diamond becomes phosphorescent under the action of radium, and may
thus be distinguished from paste imitations, which have only a very
faint luminosity.
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