Utilization of different microscopies and spectroscopies can reveal novel insights on a variety of material systems: from single nanoparticles and polymers to bulk lithium ion diffusion. Discussion in this thesis will primarily focus on single polymer and nanoparticle studies using photothermal absorption spectroscopy enabled via optical whispering gallery mode toroidal microresonators. After an introduction to some fundamental concepts of light-matter interaction, properties of whispering gallery mode microresonators are discussed. The use of these microresonators in photothermal absorption spectroscopy is then covered along with technical components necessary to this spectroscopy. Two different material systems are investigated using this sensitive photothermal absorption spectroscopy. The first system is a conductive, conjugated polymer called poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) or PEDOT:PSS. The effects of conductivity enhancing treatments are studied by probing the electronic structure as well as rotational order of single (and multiple) polymers before and after these treatments. The second system examined is a hybrid-photonic plasmonic mode consisting of gold nanorods on toroidal microresonators. Fano resonances resulting from the interaction between the nanorod and resonator are sculpted using thermal annealing and modeled using a coupled harmonic oscillator model. In addition to single nanoparticle and polymer studies, bulk imaging of lithium ion diffusion is achieved using widefield microscopy and modeled using finite element simulations.

This book focuses on a research field that is rapidly emerging as one of the most promising ones for the global optics and photonics community: the “lab-on-fiber” technology. Inspired by the well-established "lab on-a-chip" concept, this new technology essentially envisages novel and highly functionalized devices completely integrated into a single optical fiber for both communication and sensing applications. Based on the R&D experience of some of the world's leading authorities in the fields of optics, photonics, nanotechnology, and material science, this book provides a broad and accurate description of the main developments and achievements in the lab-on-fiber technology roadmap, also highlighting the new perspectives and challenges to be faced. This book is essential for scientists interested in the cutting-edge fiber optic technology, but also for graduate students.

SERS was discovered in the 1970s and has since grown enormously in breadth, depth, and understanding. One of the major characteristics of SERS is its interdisciplinary nature: it lies at the boundary between physics, chemistry, colloid science, plasmonics, nanotechnology, and biology. By their very nature, it is impossible to find a textbook that will summarize the principles needed for SERS of these rather dissimilar and disconnected topics. Although a basic understanding of these topics is necessary for research projects in SERS with all its many aspects and applications, they are seldom touched upon as a coherent unit during most undergraduate studies in physics or chemistry. This book intends to fill this existing gap in the literature. It provides an overview of the underlying principles of SERS, from the fundamental understanding of the effect to its potential applications. It is aimed primarily at newcomers to the field, graduate students, researchers or scientists, attracted by the many applications of SERS and plasmonics or its basic science. The emphasis is on concepts and background material for SERS, such as Raman spectroscopy, the physics of plasmons, or colloid science, all of them introduced within the context of SERS, and from where the more specialized literature can be followed. - Represents one of very few books fully dedicated to the topic of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) - Gives a comprehensive summary of the underlying physical concepts around SERS - Provides a detailed analysis of plasmons and plasmonics

This book presents the advances in super-resolution microscopy in physics and biomedical optics for nanoscale imaging. In the last decade, super-resolved fluorescence imaging has opened new horizons in improving the resolution of optical microscopes far beyond the classical diffraction limit, leading to the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2014. This book represents the first comprehensive review of a different type of super-resolved microscopy, which does not rely on using fluorescent markers. Such label-free super-resolution microscopy enables potentially even broader applications in life sciences and nanoscale imaging, but is much more challenging and it is based on different physical concepts and approaches. A unique feature of this book is that it combines insights into mechanisms of label-free super-resolution with a vast range of applications from fast imaging of living cells to inorganic nanostructures. This book can be used by researchers in biological and medical physics. Due to its logically organizational structure, it can be also used as a teaching tool in graduate and upper-division undergraduate-level courses devoted to super-resolved microscopy, nanoscale imaging, microscopy instrumentation, and biomedical imaging.

Geared towards research scientists in structural and molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics, this manual will be useful to all who are interested in observing, manipulating and elucidating the molecular mechanisms and discrete properties of macromolecules.

The purpose of this book is to discuss certain aspects of the theory of the formation and analysis of the line spectrum of a hot gas. The underlying motivation for most of the studies discussed here lies in a desire to develop a physically sound procedure for interpreting the line spectrum of a stellar atmosphere ; correspondingly, the major emphasis is given to problems encountered in astrophysics.

Covers the advantages of using photothermal spectroscopy over conventional absorption spectroscopy, including facilitating extremely sensitive measurements and non-destructive analysis This unique guide to the application and theory of photothermal spectroscopy has been newly revised and updated to include new methods and applications and expands on applications to chemical analysis and material science. The book covers the subject from the ground up, lists all practical considerations needed to obtain accurate results, and provides a working knowledge of the various methods in use. Photothermal Spectroscopy Methods, Second Edition includes the latest methods of solid state and materials analysis, and describes new chemical analysis procedures and apparatuses in the analytical chemistry sections. It offers a detailed look at the optics, physical principles of heat transfer, and signal analysis. Information in the temperature change and optical elements in homogeneous samples and photothermal spectroscopy in homogeneous samples has been updated with a better description of diffraction effects and calculations. Chapters on analytical measurement and data processing and analytical applications are also updated and include new information on modern applications and photothermal microscopy. Finally, the Photothermal Spectroscopy of Heterogeneous Sample chapter has been expanded to incorporate new methods for materials analysis. New edition updates and expands on applications to chemical analysis and materials science, including new methods of solid state and materials analysis Includes new chemical analysis procedures and apparatuses Provides an unmatched resource that develops a consistent mathematical basis for signal description, consolidates previous theories, and provides invaluable insight into laser technology Photothermal Spectroscopy Methods, Second Edition will appeal to researchers from both academia and industry (graduate students, postdocs, research scientists, and professors) in the general field of analytical chemistry, optics, and materials science, and researchers and engineers at scientific instrument developers in fields related to photonics and spectroscopy.