This comprehensive introduction to polarized light provides students and researchers with the background and the specialized knowledge needed to fully utilize polarized light. It provides a basic introduction to the interaction of light with matter for those unfamiliar with photochemistry and photophysics. An in-depth discussion of polarizing optics is also given. Different analytical techniques are introduced and compared and introductions to the use of polarized light in various forms of spectroscopy are provided. - Starts at a basic level and develops tools for research problems - Discusses practical devices for controlling polarized light - Compares the Jones, Mueller, and Poincaré sphere methods of analysis

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.

Corrected from the 1986 edition and now in paper, provides a conceptual and theoretical introduction to the use of optical spectroscopy for studying the optical properties of molecules. Begins at a level suitable for graduate students who have been exposed to elementary quantum mechanics, optics, and spectroscopy to explain the theory of the interaction between linearly polarized molecules and partially aligned samples, and the experimental techniques used to produce and measure such samples. The CiP data shows a different title. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This book provides an introduction to optical anisotropy (linear dichroism, LD) and optical activity (circular dichroism, CD) as techniques for the study of structures and interactions of molecules in solution. The book covers the use of these techniques for both small and large molecular systems with particular emphasis being placed on proteins and nucleic acids. CD is a well-established technique and this book aims to explain how it can be used simply and effectively for new entrants to the field as well as covering more advanced techniques for experts. LD is often seen as a rather exotic method intended only for experienced spectroscopists. This book demonstrates that it is an approach with real utility that may be used by both students and scientists from graduate level onwards to give simple answers, which are not available from any other technique, to structural and kinetic questions. Much of the emphasis is on flow orientation of samples in solution phase. The book first describes the techniques and the information they can provide; it then goes on to give specific details on how to actually implement them, including a wide range of examples showing how LD and CD can help with * protein and nucleic acid secondary structure elucidation; * analysis of the formation and rearrangements of fibrous proteins and membrane proteins; * identification of the absolute configuration of small molecules; * determination of the orientation of small molecules in anisotropic media; * assignment of transition moment polarizations; * investigation of binding strengths and geometries of ligand-macromolecule complexes; * 3-D structure determination from LD, molecular replacement and MD modeling. The advantages of combined LD/CD studies are also outlined with examples of DNA/drug complexes and protein insertion into membranes. Taken together the book represents a comprehensive text on the theory and application of LD and CD in the chemical and biological sciences.

This book details chiroptical spectroscopic methods: electronic circular dichroism (ECD), optical rotatory dispersion (ORD), vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), and vibrational Raman optical activity (VROA). For each technique, the text presents experimental methods for measurements and theoretical methods for analyzing the experimental data. It also includes a set of experiments that can be adopted for undergraduate teaching laboratories. Each chapter is written in an easy-to-follow format for novice readers, with necessary theoretical formalism in appendices for advanced readers.

The book is a technical guide for chemists and spectroscopists, and presents a concise description of magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy and how it has advanced the interpretation of molecular electronic spectra. Provides a practical guide to utilizing MCD spectroscopy for chemists starting in the field Written by an expert with over twenty years of experience in the field Helps the reader to visualize the optical spectroscopic effects presented by MCD measurements Includes practical considerations for experimental MCD measurements based on the author's experience Written as a general discussion of the subject matter, with illustrative examples provided and discussed in the case studies to show the breadth of application of MCD measurements.

Optical Polarization in Biomedical Applications introduces key developments in optical polarization methods for quantitative studies of tissues, while presenting the theory of polarization transfer in a random medium as a basis for the quantitative description of polarized light interaction with tissues. This theory uses the modified transfer equation for Stokes parameters and predicts the polarization structure of multiple scattered optical fields. The backscattering polarization matrices (Jones matrix and Mueller matrix) important for noninvasive medical diagnostic are introduced. The text also describes a number of diagnostic techniques such as CW polarization imaging and spectroscopy, polarization microscopy and cytometry. As a new tool for medical diagnosis, optical coherent polarization tomography is analyzed. The monograph also covers a range of biomedical applications, among them cataract and glaucoma diagnostics, glucose sensing, and the detection of bacteria.