Introduction to the Optical Spectroscopy of Inorganic Solids

This book presents the basic aspects of the field of the optical spectroscopy of solids, allowing students with a background in quantum physics, optics and solid state physics, to interpret simple optical spectra (absorption, reflectivity, emission, scattering...) and obtain knowledge of the main instrumentation used in this field. Although most of the material treated in this book concerns the spectroscopy of centres embedded in inorganic materials, the principles described are also applicable to molecules and atoms in the gas and /or the liquid state. This book is organized as follows: The opening chapter provides a short introduction of the fundamentals of optical spectroscopy, describing the basic standard equipment needed to measure optical spectra and the main optical magnitudes that can be measured. The next two chapters are devoted to describing the main characteristics and the basic working principles for the general instrumentation used in optical spectroscopy. Chapter 4 analyses the absorption and reflectivity spectra of pure crystals. The next two chapters deal with the spectra of "optically active centres", including a large variety of optical materials, such as phosphors, solid-state lasers and amplifiers. The final chapter presents a simple introduction to group theory and its usefulness in interpreting the optical spectra of active centres. The book is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate students in chemistry, physics and materials sciences, especially for those enrolled in courses in optics and laser spectroscopy, solid-state spectroscopy and introductory solid-state physics. It will also be of interest to researchers, teachers and libraries, with interests in the area of materials science, especially in the growing field of optical materialsSolé, Jose is the author of 'Introduction to the Optical Spectroscopy of Inorganic Solids', published 2005 under ISBN 9780470868867 and ISBN 0470868864.