Erik W. Thulstrup

This book offers an elementary introduction to optical spectroscopy with polarized light. It is written at a level suitable for undergraduate students in chemistry and undergraduate or graduate students in related disciplines such as biochemistry, biology, chemical engineering and materials science. It emphasizes the qualitative concepts and deemphasizes mathematics, yet provides sufficient information and practical hints for experiments. With this book in hand, anyone who can measure an ordinary infrared, ultraviolet or visible absorption or fluorescence emission spectrum can measure a polarized one as well and learn far more about the sample.

This book deals with polarized optical spectroscopy of partially oriented fluid or rigid solutions. Starting from elementary concepts and relying on numerous illustrations, it provides an introduction to those interested in the measurement of the anisotropy of molecular optical properties in the UV, visible or IR regions (one- and two- photon absorption, simultaneous or sequential, luminescence, Raman scattering, natural and magnetic potical activity), or in the determination of uniaxial order and organization in supermolecular assemblies (liquid crystals, stretched polymers, membranes). The orienting effects of radiation (photoselection) are covered as well. A large number of examples of research applications within chemistry, biophysics, biochemistry, and polymer science are given together with examples of practical application.