The breadth of scientific and technological interests in the general topic of photochemistry is truly enormous and includes, for example, such diverse areas as microelectronics, atmospheric chemistry, organic synthesis, non-conventional photoimaging, photosynthesis, solar energy conversion, polymer technologies, and spectroscopy. This Specialist Periodical Report on Photochemistry aims to provide an annual review of photo-induced processes that have relevance to the above wide-ranging academic and commercial disciplines, and interests in chemistry, physics, biology and technology. In order to provide easy access to this vast and varied literature, each volume of Photochemistry comprises sections concerned with photophysical processes in condensed phases, organic aspects which are sub-divided by chromophore type, polymer photochemistry, and photochemical aspects of solar energy conversion. Volume 34 covers literature published from July 2001 to June 2002. Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage in major areas of chemical research. Compiled by teams of leading authorities in the relevant subject areas, the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, with regular, in-depth accounts of progress in particular fields of chemistry. Subject coverage within different volumes of a given title is similar and publication is on an annual or biennial basis.

Photochemistry is an important part of both chemistry and biology and is of great practical significance for the development of sustainable sources of energy. The mechanisms of photochemistry are far from trivial and far from understood. There are limits to how well theory can describe the processes and how well experiments can resolve them. This book aims to provide an overview of state-of-the-art methods for both theoretical development and experimental techniques, with a focus on ultrafast molecular processes and electronic excitation of organic molecules. These fields are active and progress is being made, carried by the increasing speed of computation and the development of new light sources, most notably X-ray sources at large facilities. Alongside these two layers of theoretical development and experimental techniques is a third layer—model building. In this layer, model building tries to find similarities in seemingly unrelated experimental results and deepen our general knowledge of photoinduced processes. Often, progress is made not by cutting-edge techniques but rather by using well-established techniques with a great variety of molecules—this approach promises less glory but is just as important as the first two layers. Examples mentioned in the text are the Woodward–Hoffman rules and the dynamophore concept. All three layers are crucial to push our knowledge further and, eventually, to use it for developing new and more advanced optical devices.

Photochemistry: An Introduction covers topics such as industrial photochemistry, solid state photochemistry, spectroscopy and photochemistry of the solid state, industrial applications of photochemistry, and photochromism. The book discusses the application of bonding, structure, energetics, and reactivity of the ground states of molecules to describe the same properties for molecules in their electronically excited states; the electronic spectra of excited states; and how the excited states react to form chemical transients. The text also describes light sources, techniques for measuring light intensities and quantum yields, methods used to detect transient photochemical products, and some ancilliary techniques. A review of some features of typical photochemical processes conducted in the vapor state and a survey of the reactions of the urban atmosphere, are also considered. The book further tackles the mechanisms of organic photochemical reactions; the synthetic applications of organic photochemistry; and the photochemistry of the solid state. The text also looks into photochromism and the industrial applications of photochemistry. People involved in the field of photochemistry will find the book useful.