Radiation, basic concepts emission

Abstract Photochemistry is concerned with the interaction between light and matter. The present chapter outlines the basic concepts of photochemistry in order to provide a foundation for the various aspects of environmental photochemistry explored later in the book. Electronically excited states are produced by the absorption of radiation in the visible and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum. The excited states that can be produced depend on the electronic structure of the absorbing species. Excited molecules can suffer a variety of fates together, these fates make up the various aspects of photochemistry. They include dissociation, ionization and isomerization emission of luminescent radiation as fluorescence or phosphorescence and transfer of energy by intramolecular processes to generate electronic states different from those first excited, or by intermo-lecular processes to produce electronically excited states of molecules chemically different from those in which the absorption first occurred. Each of these processes is described in the chapter, and the ideas of quantum yields and photonic efficiencies are introduced to provide a quantitative expression of their relative contributions. 

Spectrometry Spectroscopy4 is basically an experimental subject and is concerned with the adsorption, emission or scattering of electromagnetic radiation by atoms or molecules [15, p. 1]. A wide variety of applications of this concept have been applied in analyzing many substances. In the particular case of explosive molecules the most prominent are several forms of mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry. Each has certain advantages and disadvantages. Each is discussed in detail in a later chapter. The former is most often used in fixed applications the latter, in both fixed and portable applications. 

The book begins with a discussion of the fundamental definitions and concepts of classical spectroscopy, such as thermal radiation, induced and spontaneous emission, radiation power and intensity, transition probabilities, and the interaction of weak and strong electromagnetic (EM) fields with atoms. Since the coherence properties of lasers are important for several spectroscopic techniques, the basic definitions of coherent radiation fields are outlined and the description of coherently excited atomic levels is briefly discussed. 

This chapter deals with basic considerations about absorption and emission of electromagnetic waves interacting with matter. Especially emphasized are those aspects that are important for the spectroscopy of gaseous media. The discussion starts with thermal radiation fields and the concept of cavity modes in order to elucidate differences and connections between spontaneous and induced emission and absorption. This leads to the definition of the Einstein coefficients and their mutual relations. The next section explains some definitions used in photometry such as radiation power, intensity, and spectral power density. 

Optical property refers to a material s response to exposure to electromagnetic radiation and, in particular, to visible light. This chapter first discusses some of the basic principles and concepts relating to the nature of electromagnetic radiation and its possible interactions with solid materials. Then it explores the optical behaviors of metallic and nonmetal-lic materials in terms of their absorption, reflection, and transmission characteristics. The final sections outline luminescence, photoconductivity, and light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (laser), the practical use of these phenomena, and the use of optical fibers in communications. 

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