Absorption of light and subsequent photophysical processes

To open the way into the wide-ranging fields covered in this book, some elementary facts essential for an understanding of the material covered are out-hned at the beginning. Since books [1-6] are available that comprehensively treat the principles of the interaction of light with matter, the aim here is to present the salient points in a very concise manner. Nevertheless, in citing typical cases, close adherence to the actual subject of the book has been sought by referring to polymers wherever possible. 

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I 7 Absorption of light and subsequent photophysical processes 1.8.1.2 Circular dichroism spectroscopy... 

Here we discuss light absorption by various components of the cell and the effects caused by light absorption. Primary photoinduced cellular effects are produced by light absorption to induce transition between two electronic states (electronic or coupled electronic-vibrational [vibronic] transitions). Purely vibrational transitions (such as IR and Raman) are of significance only in stmctural identification and in conformational analysis. We first discuss the absorption by various constituent molecules and biopolymers. Subsequently we discuss the various photochemical and photophysical processes induced by light absorption. Then we discuss the effects produced from light absorption by an exogenous chromophore added to the cell. 

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