A chemical compound or molecular group that enhances fluorescence, making fluorescent molecules glow more brightly or change their fluorescent properties.
From 'auxo-' (increase) and 'fluor' (fluorescence), combining Greek roots meaning growth and light. The term emerged in spectroscopy and analytical chemistry during the 20th century.
Auxofluors are the reason some highlighters glow so intensely under UV light—they're molecular add-ons that turbocharge a fluorescent molecule's glow. Scientists use these in medical imaging and diagnostics to make diseases visible to cameras.
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