Fluorescence spectroscopy development

Electron Microprobe A.na.Iysis, Electron microprobe analysis (ema) is a technique based on x-ray fluorescence from atoms in the near-surface region of a material stimulated by a focused beam of high energy electrons (7—9,30). Essentially, this method is based on electron-induced x-ray emission as opposed to x-ray-induced x-ray emission, which forms the basis of conventional x-ray fluorescence (xrf) spectroscopy (31). The microprobe form of this x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was first developed by Castaing in 1951 (32), and today is a mature technique. Primary beam electrons with energies of 10—30 keV are used and sample the material to a depth on the order of 1 pm. X-rays from all elements with the exception of H, He, and Li can be detected. 

Within the confines of the present volume it is not possible to provide a detailed discussion of instrumentation for atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. An instrument for simultaneous multi-element determination described by Mitchell and Johansson53 has been developed commercially. Many atomic absorption spectrophotometers can be adapted for fluorescence measurements and details are available from the manufacturers. Detailed descriptions of atomic fluorescence spectroscopy are to be found in many of the volumes listed in the Bibliography (Section 21.27). 

Kazarian et al. [281-283] have used various spectroscopic techniques (including FUR, time-resolved ATR-FHR, Raman, UV/VIS and fluorescence spectroscopy) to characterise polymers processed with scC02. FTIR and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy have played an important role in developing the understanding and in situ monitoring of many SCF processes, such as drying, extraction and impregnation of polymeric materials. 

FBAs can also be estimated quantitatively by fluorescence spectroscopy, which is much more sensitive than the ultraviolet method but tends to be prone to error and is less convenient to use. Small quantities of impurities may lead to serious distortions of both emission and excitation spectra. Indeed, a comparison of ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence excitation spectra can yield useful information on the purity of an FBA. Different samples of an analytically pure FBA will show identical absorption and excitation spectra. Nevertheless, an on-line fluorescence spectroscopic method of analysis has been developed for the quantitative estimation of FBAs and other fluorescent additives present on a textile substrate. The procedure was demonstrated by measuring the fluorescence intensity at various excitation wavelengths of moving nylon woven fabrics treated with various concentrations of an FBA and an anionic sizing agent. It is possible to detect remarkably small differences in concentrations of the absorbed materials present [67]. 

Because of the underlying photophysics, fluorescence lifetimes are intrinsically short, usually on the order of a few nanoseconds. Detection systems with a high timing resolution are thus required to resolve and quantify the fluorescence decays. Developments in electronics and detector technology have resulted in sophisticated and easy to use equipment with a high time resolution. Fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy has become a popular tool in the past decades, and reliable commercial instrumentation is readily available. 

Droplet temperature is of interest in practical spray processes since it influences the associated heat and mass transfer, chemical reactions, and phase changes such as evaporation or solidification. Various forms of Rayleigh, Raman and fluorescence spectroscopies have been developed for measurements of droplet temperature and species concentration in sprays.16471 Rainbow refractometry (thermometry), polarization ratioing thermometry, and exciplex method are some examples of the droplet temperature measurement techniques. 

Fluorescence spectroscopy forms the majority of luminescence analyses. However, the recent developments in instrumentation and room-temperature phosphorescence techniques have given rise to practical and fundamental advances which should increase the use of phosphorescence spectroscopy. The sensitivity of phosphorescence is comparable to that of fluorescence and complements the latter by offering a wider range of molecules for study. 

Volume 4 is intended to summarize the principles required for these biomedical applications of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. For this reason, many of the chapters describe the development of red/NIR probes and the mechanisms by which analytes interact with the probes and produce spectral changes. Other chapters describe the unique opportunities of red/NIR fluorescence and the types of instruments suitable for such measurements. Also included is a description of the principles of chemical sensing based on lifetimes, and an overview of the ever-important topic of immunoassays. 

Thus, at present, fluorescence spectroscopy is capable of providing direct information on molecular dynamics on the nanosecond time scale and can estimate the results of dynamics occurring beyond this range. The present-day multiparametric fluorescence experiment gives new opportunities for interpretation of these data and construction of improved dynamic models. A further development of the theory which would provide an improved description of the dynamics in quantitative terms with allowance for the structural inhomogeneity of protein molecules and the hierarchy of their internal motions is required. 

Because of these numerous developments and the rapid appearance of new methods, it has become difficult to remain current on the science of fluorescence and its many applications. Consequently, I have asked the experts in particular areas of fluorescence to summarize their knowledge and the current state of the art. This has resulted in the initial three volumes of Topics in Fluorescence Spectroscopy, which is intended to be an ongoing series which summarizes, in one location, the vast literature on fluorescence spectroscopy. 

Until recently, previous studies for continuous monitoring of hepatic function with ICG utilized the absorption mode. However, new studies demonstrate that the highly sensitive fluorescence technique can equally be used [148-150]. In addition to high sensitivity, in-depth analysis of the emission, excitation and polarization properties of fluorescence spectroscopy furnishes additional functional information about the dye molecule. In this system, the fluorescence profile emanating from the clearance of injected biocompatible dye is monitored with a small photodetector. Fig. 8 shows the in vivo fluorescence detection apparatus developed for continuous monitoring of organ functions [147,148]. 

One of the challenges to the development of supercritical fluid (SCF) processes is understanding the solution thermodynamics on a molecular scale. Fluorescence spectroscopy has been shown to probe the local environment around chromophores. We now extend its use to SCF systems containing a cosolvent. 

In this work we investigate such interactions by fluorescence spectroscopy. Probe molecules such as 2-naphthol and its 5-cyano-derivative are effective chromophores for studying acid/base interactions since both are relatively strong photo-acids. In addition, 2-naphthol is a common solute for which SCF solubility and physical property data exist. Ultimately, spectroscopic information will be used to develop a clearer picture of the specific interactions which induce large cosolvent effects on solubility in SCF solutions. 

A number of analytical methods were developed for determination of elemental mercury. The methods are reviewed in Refs. [1-4]. They include traditional analytical techniques, such as atomic adsorption spectroscopy (AAS), atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS), and atomic emission spectroscopy (AES). The AAS is based on measurements of optical adsorption at 253.7 or 184.9 nm. Typical value of the detection limit without pre-concentration step is over 1 pg/l. The AEF is much more sensitive and allows one to detect less than 0.1ng/l of mercury... 

Wegrzynek and Holynska [127] have developed a method for the determination of lead in arsenic-containing soils by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The correction for arsenic interference is based on the use of an arsenic-free reference sample. 

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