Modern Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Since the appearance of the first two volumes of Modern Fluorescence Spectroscopy in 1976, important advances continue to be made in both the techniques and applications of molecular luminescence. In terms of "hardware," it is only recently that the application of laser excitation to molecular fluorometry has become feasible under conditions that are analy tically realistic. The improvements that can be effected in sensitivity, analy tical selectivity, and ability to handle "difficult" samples by laser fluorometry have only begun to be exploited. Likewise, time-resolved fluorometry has received widespread use in fundamental studies (a sizable number of which deal with biological systems), but has as of yet received relatively little analytical utilization. The use of electronic array detectors offers the promise of obtaining luminescence spectra more rapidly, and perhaps ultimately with greater sensitivity, than is possible by the use of scanning instruments equipped with conventional detectors. The increasing capabilities of microcomputers and the increasing sophistication of "smart" spectroscopic instrumentation signify that much more efficient acquisition and use can now be achieved of the information contained in the "excitation-emission matrix" inherent in the luminescence phenomenon.

The principles of fluorescence spectroscopy are by now well established, and, after a rather lengthy gestation period, the technique is now routinely applied to a broad spectrum of problems, ranging from mechanistic photo chemistry to chemical analyses in biomedical and environmental systems of structure and function in biological macromolecules. Phosphor to probes escence spectrometry and chemiluminescence are also well-known tech niques; they are somewhat less well established than fluorescence (at least in analytical chemistry), but they too are receiving greatly increased appli cation to both laboratory and "real" problems. This is not to imply that luminescence spectroscopy, viewed in its broadest sense, is a static field. In fact, recent advances in instrumentation make it feasible to apply fluorescence to problem areas in which its use five years ago would have been unthinkable. Advances in hardware generate advances in application, and very significant progress is being recorded in the application of fluorescence (and its close relatives, phosphorescence and chemiluminescence) in the biochemical, biomedical, and environmental spheres.

This first volume in the new Springer Series on Fluorescence brings together fundamental and applied research from this highly interdisciplinary and field, ranging from chemistry and physics to biology and medicine. Special attention is given to supramolecular systems, sensor applications, confocal microscopy and protein-protein interactions. This carefully edited collection of articles is an invaluable tool for practitioners and novices.

Gregorio Weber is widely acknowledged as the person responsible for the advent of modern fluorescence spectroscopy. Since 2016 is the 100th anniversary of Gregorio Weber’s birth, this special volume has been prepared to honor his life and achievements. It offers contributions from outstanding researchers in the fluorescence field, describing their perspectives on modern fluorescence and its highly diverse applications, ranging from the photophysics of tryptophan and proteins, membrane studies, fluorescence microscopy on live cells, novel software approaches and instrumentation. Many of the authors knew Gregorio Weber personally and have shared their impressions of the man and his contributions. This volume appeals not only to aficionados of fluorescence spectroscopy and its applications in biology, chemistry and physics, but also to those with a general interest in the historical development of an important scientific field.

This is a new edition (first, 1973) of an introduction to the principles and applications of all phases of luminescence spectroscopy. Contains (all rewritten) chapters on general aspects of luminescence, instrumentation, effects of molecular structure and environment, inorganic analysis and phosphorescence. The second edition also introduces new topics such as process, applications, bioprocess monitoring and biotechnology methods, soild surface luminescence and pesticide analysis, providing expanded coverage on chemiluminescence and environmental analysis and updates information on equipment, supplies newer references and more.