Fluorescence results from a process that occurs under certain
condition in molecules known as fluophores, or fluorescent dyes.
First, the fluophore absorbs the UV light coming from the
transilluminator. Then, the fluophore is excited to a higher energy state and
emits fluorescent light. The emission wavelength is always higher than the
excitation wavelength (UV light).
The aim of the gel documentation system is to separate the
emitted light from the excitation light in order to obtain a gel image.