An Introduction to Light Emission Spectroscopy, with a focus on Fluorescence: Theory and Materials Characterization Applications

This webcast will consist of two parts. Part 1 will start off with a basic introduction to luminescence terminology and electronic theory.

Particular attention will be given to photoluminescence, both fluorescence and phosphorescence. The webcast will then look at how molecular structure relates to spectral properties. Since all types of photoluminescence are sensitive to environmental conditions, we will consider how solvent properties, such as concentration, pH, and polarity, impact the photoluminescence spectrum. Part one will conclude with a summary on how fluorescence instruments function.

Part 2 will discuss several important materials characterization applications.

Under consideration first is correcting for the “instrumental artifact” inherent in all fluorescence instrumentation. Spectral correction is critical for accurate quantum yield measurements. The webcast will discuss both relative and absolute quantum yield measurement methods and their applications. To conclude the webcast the techniques of three-dimensional data acquisition and synchronous scanning will be discussed. Particular attention will be given to how these two different techniques relate to each other and how they can be properly employed and interpreted.

Presenter: Jeffrey L. Taylor, Ph.D. (Molecular Spectroscopy Guru, Industry Expert With Over 35 Years of Experience)

Dr. Jeffrey L. Taylor received his Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia College and State University with dual majors in Physiology and Organic Chemistry. He obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of Georgia in Toxicology and later a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the same school in Biochemistry and Spectroscopy.

He has spent his career of over 35 years with major spectroscopy instruments manufacturers, mainly working as Field Product Specialist and Senior Staff Scientist. Areas of expertise include technical support of sales, customer support/training, applications design and development, software specification/evaluation, and instrumental design and evaluation. He is the author of numerous application notes, conference presentations and webcasts, and holder of several patents.

Dr. Taylor, although retired, maintains his desire to contribute to the field. He is currently a consultant for Shimadzu Scientific Instruments to assist with sales support, application support and development of web-based educational resources.

Presenter: Sudhir Dahal, Ph.D. (Product Manager - Molecular Spectroscopy, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments)

Sudhir Dahal is Product Manager of Molecular Spectroscopy group at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, USA. He joined the company after obtaining his PhD from University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), where he researched and collaborated on developing novel spectroscopy-based technique for brain tumor cell detection. At Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, he and his group are responsible for overall sales support of molecular spectroscopy products in North America, Central America and parts of South America. The products include UV-Vis-NIR, FTIR, Fluorescence spectrophotometers and accessories.

His everyday responsibilities include, but are not limited to, teaching classes to sales/technical support engineers and customers, producing scientific literatures, researching new products and applications, representing Shimadzu at conferences and promoting the products through various marketing campaigns.