COURSE DESCRIPTION: The course covers the basic aspects of optical spectroscopy including the most important developments in experimental techniques and understanding of interaction between atomic, molecular, macromolecular, polymer or crystalline samples and electromagnetic radiation. The hyphenated techniques applied to solve structural and dynamic problems in chemistry, biology and material science are presented, together with the quantitative aspect. The course includes emission, absorption, light scattering processes and photoelectron spectroscopy. Different methods of sample preparation in gas, liquid and solid phases are considered and some typical experimental procedures (e.g. low temperature matrix isolation, seeded supersonic molecular beams, quantum droplets, plasma discharge, laser evaporation and adsorption at interfaces) are described. Spectroscopic techniques covering microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet radiation are presented including those using synchrotron radiation, laser radiation. Signal detection methods using absorption of light, luminescence, thermal lensing, photoacoustic effect and photoionization are presented. Time domain and frequency domain methods in optical spectroscopy are discussed. Recent developments in optical spectroscopy of transient species including step-scan and rapid-scan methods together with advances in ultrafast laser spectroscopy and femtochemistry are presented. Microscopic techniques for exploring the chemistry of mesoscopic and nanoscopic objects are also discussed. Typical applications of particular optical spectroscopic techniques in different areas of chemistry, biochemistry, physics, astrophysics, medicine, environmental and forensic sciences are used as examples.

AIMS:

• To build upon and extend the theoretical and experimental approaches introduced during the bachelor degree programme
• To develop the competence and confidence of the students in optical spectroscopy
• To highlight modern advances in instrumentation and techniques in optical spectroscopy and their specific applications
• To identify appropriate experimental procedures and spectroscopic methods for particular applications

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES:
After completing this unit the student should be able to:

• Discuss in a comprehensive way the methods of sample definition and handling problems encountered in absorption and emission spectroscopy
• Critically evaluate applicability of specific spectroscopic techniques to solve particular structural problem
• Review the available types of the optical spectrometers and methods of the detection of electromagnetic radiation
• Interpret the results of spectral data and present the conclusions in written and oral form
• Explain to non-specialists how different methods in optical spectroscopy can provide valuable information in chemistry, biology, astrophysics, medical and environmental sciences

TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Lectures and colloquia: 70 hours
Student centred learning: 120 hours
Total student effort: 190 hours

ASSESSMENT:

Examinations on completion of teaching period: written or oral

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

J. M. Hollas; High Resolution Spectroscopy. Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 1998
D.L.Andrews(Ed); Perspectives in Modern Chemical Spectroscopy, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1990
F.C.DeSchryver, S.De Feyter, G.Schweitzer(Eds); Femtochemistry, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2001
J.R.Lakowicz; Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Second Edition, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, 1999
H. Abramczyk; Introduction to Laser Spectroscopy, Elsevier, 2005

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