The Stern-Volmer constant of fluorescence quenching by reversible intermole
cular charge transfer is obtained by means of integral encounter theory. Th
e latter provides the first non-Markovian description of the phenomenon whi
ch accounts for the reversibility of excited-state ionization. The forward
and backward electron transfers (bimolecular and geminate) are specified by
the position-dependent rates of ionization and recombination. Assuming tha
t the conventional free energy gap law is inherent to all of them, a reason
able explanation is given for the famous Rehm and Weller free energy depend
ence of the Stern-Volmer constant. It requires the production of ions in ex
cited states when forward electron transfer is highly exergonic and implies
that the charge recombination occurs not only to the ground but also to th
e excited triplet state. It is assumed that spin conversion in the radical
ion pairs is faster than the geminate recombination.