Perturbed angular correlation
Perturbed Angular Correlation (PAC) is a nuclear spectroscopy technique used to study the hyperfine interactions of nuclei, particularly through the observation of the angular correlations of emitted gamma rays. The method is based on the interaction of a probing nucleus with its surrounding environment, allowing researchers to investigate various properties of materials at the atomic or molecular level.
Phosphorescence
Phosphorescence is a type of photoluminescence related to fluorescence. It occurs when a material absorbs light or electromagnetic radiation and then re-emits it over a longer period. Unlike fluorescence, which involves the immediate re-emission of light (typically within nanoseconds), phosphorescence involves a delayed re-emission that can last from microseconds to several hours or even days.
Photo-reflectance
Photo-reflectance (PR) is a technique used in materials science and semiconductor research to probe the optical properties of materials, particularly thin films and semiconductor layers. It involves measuring the reflectance of light from a sample as a function of wavelength or energy, while the sample is illuminated with modulated light. This technique is particularly sensitive to changes in the electronic structure of the material.
Photoacoustic effect
The photoacoustic effect is a phenomenon in which materials absorb light and subsequently emit acoustic waves (sound waves) as a result of thermal expansion. This process occurs when a material absorbs photons from a light source (usually a laser), leading to a localized temperature increase. The rapid thermal expansion due to the absorbed energy creates mechanical stress in the material, which produces sound waves.
Photoacoustic spectroscopy
Photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) is an analytical technique that combines aspects of both optical spectroscopy and acoustic detection. It is based on the photoacoustic effect, which occurs when a material absorbs light (usually laser light) and then undergoes a rapid thermal expansion, resulting in the generation of acoustic waves (sound). ### Key Principles of Photoacoustic Spectroscopy: 1. **Light Absorption:** - The sample is illuminated with modulated light at specific wavelengths.
Photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy (PEPICO) is a technique used in molecular physics and chemistry to study the electronic structure and dynamics of molecules. It combines two powerful methods: photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and photoionization spectroscopy. ### Key Components of PEPICO: 1. **Photoelectron Spectroscopy (PES):** - This technique involves the ionization of molecules by ultraviolet or X-ray photons, resulting in the ejection of electrons from the molecules.
Photoionization
Photoionization is a process in which an atom or molecule absorbs a photon of light and subsequently ejects one or more of its electrons, resulting in the formation of an ion. This phenomenon is crucial in various fields such as astrophysics, chemistry, and plasma physics. The process can be described as follows: 1. **Photon Absorption**: An atom or molecule absorbs a photon whose energy is greater than or equal to the ionization energy of the atom or molecule.
Photoluminescence
Photoluminescence is the process by which a material absorbs photons (light) and then re-emits them. This phenomenon is a form of photonic emission that occurs when a substance absorbs energy, usually from ultraviolet (UV) or visible light, and subsequently emits light of a longer wavelength.
Photoluminescence excitation
Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) is a technique used to investigate the electronic properties of materials, particularly semiconductors and quantum dots. In this method, a sample is illuminated with varying wavelengths of light (typically in the ultraviolet or visible range) to excite electrons from the valence band to the conduction band. As the sample absorbs photons, it can re-emit them at longer wavelengths, which is known as photoluminescence.
Photopyroelectric
Photopyroelectric refers to a phenomenon related to the interaction between light (photons) and temperature changes (pyroelectric effect) in certain materials. In essence, it combines photonic and thermal effects to generate an electrical signal. Here’s a breakdown of the concept: 1. **Pyroelectric Effect**: This is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge in response to a change in temperature.
Photothermal microspectroscopy
Photothermal microspectroscopy is a technique that combines principles of photothermal effect with microscopy and spectroscopy to study materials and biological samples at high spatial resolution. This method is particularly effective for characterizing the optical and thermal properties of materials at the nanoscale. ### Key Features of Photothermal Microspectroscopy: 1. **Photothermal Effect**: When a material absorbs light (usually in the form of a laser), it can cause localized heating.
Photothermal spectroscopy
Photothermal spectroscopy is an analytical technique used to study the interaction between light and matter, particularly focusing on the thermal responses of materials when they absorb light. This method combines principles of spectroscopy and thermal analysis to provide insights into the properties of materials. ### Key Concepts: 1. **Principle of Operation**: - When a material absorbs light, it can convert the energy from the light into heat, leading to a temperature rise.
Plasmonic nanoparticles
Plasmonic nanoparticles are nanoscale particles that can support surface plasmon resonances, which are collective oscillations of free electrons at the surface of a metal in response to incident light. These particles are typically made of noble metals, such as gold, silver, or copper, which exhibit strong plasmonic effects due to their high conductivity and electron mobility.
Polarization spectroscopy
Polarization spectroscopy is a technique for analyzing the properties of light interaction with matter, particularly in terms of how the light's polarization state changes upon interacting with a sample. This technique leverages the fact that the scattering, absorption, and emission of light can be dependent on its polarization, providing valuable information about the molecular and electronic structure of a sample. ### Key Concepts 1.
Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy (PAS) is a technique used to investigate the microstructural properties of materials at the atomic level by utilizing positrons, which are the antiparticles of electrons. The basic principle of PAS is based on the interactions between positrons and electrons in a material. Here's how it works: 1. **Positron Injection**: A source of positrons emits these particles which are injected into a sample material.
Quantum jump
A quantum jump, also known as a quantum leap, refers to a sudden transition of an electron from one energy level to another within an atom or molecule. This phenomenon is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics. In more detail, when an electron absorbs energy (for example, from a photon), it can move from a lower energy state (or orbital) to a higher energy state. This transition is instantaneous and does not occur gradually; rather, the electron "jumps" between discrete energy levels.
Quantum logic spectroscopy
Quantum logic spectroscopy is a technique used to study the quantum properties of atoms and molecules by employing the principles of quantum mechanics and quantum information. It combines techniques from both quantum optics and quantum information science to provide insights into the internal states of quantum systems, typically atoms or ions. In essence, quantum logic spectroscopy involves the following key components: 1. **Quantum States:** It utilizes well-defined quantum states, such as those of trapped ions or neutral atoms.
Quantum yield
Quantum yield is a measure of the efficiency of a photophysical or photochemical process, defined as the ratio of the number of events of a specific type (such as emitted photons, formed molecules, etc.) to the number of photons absorbed. It is a dimensionless quantity often expressed as a decimal or a percentage.
Qubit fluorometer
A Qubit fluorometer is a type of optical instrument used primarily in molecular biology and biochemistry for quantifying nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins. The Qubit fluorometer utilizes fluorescent dyes that selectively bind to DNA, RNA, or proteins, allowing for high sensitivity and specificity in detection.
Racah parameter
The Racah parameters are a set of coefficients that appear in the theoretical treatment of the interactions among the electrons in a multi-electron atom or ion, particularly when discussing the effects of electron-electron interactions on the energy levels and the spectra of transition metal complexes and rare-earth ions. These parameters are named after the physicist Giovanni Racah.