Today, fluorescence spectroscopy is an important tool of investigation in many areas. In analytical sciences, its advantage is extremely high sensitivity and selectivity - even single molecules can be detected - and it achieves a high spatial resolution and time resolution in combination with microscopic techniques or laser techniques, respectively. In material sciences, this is used to study structure and dynamics of surfaces. Particularly in the areas of biochemistry and molecular genetics, fluorescence spectroscopy has become a dominating technique. Together with the latest imaging techniques, fluorescence spectroscopy allows a real-time observation of the dynamics of intact biological systems with an unprecedented resolution. This book offers a comprehensive introduction to and survey of fluorescence spectroscopy. It is written for newcomers and active researchers alike who are learning to apply fluorescence methods in the areas of chemistry, physical chemistry, polymers, materials, colloids, biochemistry, biology, medical and pharmaceutical research.

Table of Contents

Preface. Prologue. Introduction. Absorption of UV--visible light. Characteristics of Fluorescence Emission. Effects of Intermolecular Photophysical Processes on Fluorescence Emission. Fluorescence polarization: Emission Ansotropy. Principles of steady--state and time--resolved fluorometric techniques. Effect of polarity of fluorescence emission. Polarity probes. Microviscosity, fluidity, molecular mobility. Estimation by means of fluorescent probes. Resonance energy transfer and its applications. Fluorescent molecular sensors of ions and molecules. Advanced techniques in fluorescence spectroscopy. Epilogue. Index.