The development of fluorescence intensity standards

The use of fluorescence as an analytical technique has been growing over th e last 20 years. A major factor in inhibiting more rapid growth has been th e inability to make comparable fluorescence intensity measurements across l aboratories. NIST recognizes the need to develop and provide primary fluore scence intensity standard (FIS) reference materials to the scientific and t echnical communities involved in these assays. The critical component of th e effort will be the cooperation between the Federal laboratories, the manu facturers, and the technical personnel who will use the fluorescence intens ity standards. We realize that the development and use of FIS will have to overcome many difficulties. However, as we outline in this article, the dev elopment of FIS is feasible.