The Calorimetric Detection of Excited States

Absolute and Relative Methods for Fluorescence Quantum Yield Evaluation of Quantum Dots

Optical spectroscopy techniques are crucial for the evaluation and use of quantum dots (QDs) in life and materials science. In that context, the fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_f) is an essential parameter in the assessment of the luminescent features of QDs. The fluorescence quantum yield can be defined as the ratio of the number of emitted photons to the number of absorbed photons by a luminescent material. In this chapter, we describe absolute and relative methods to measure the fluorescence quantum yield of QDs in solution phase. The advantages and limitations of the techniques are reviewed.

Biomedical photoacoustic imaging

Photoacoustic (PA) imaging, also called optoacoustic imaging, is a new biomedical imaging modality based on the use of laser-generated ultrasound that has emerged over the last decade. It is a hybrid modality, combining the high-contrast and spectroscopic-based specificity of optical imaging with the high spatial resolution of ultrasound imaging. In essence, a PA image can be regarded as an ultrasound image in which the contrast depends not on the mechanical and elastic properties of the tissue, but its optical properties, specifically optical absorption. As a consequence, it offers greater specificity than conventional ultrasound imaging with the ability to detect haemoglobin, lipids, water and other light-absorbing chomophores, but with greater penetration depth than purely optical imaging modalities that rely on ballistic photons. As well as visualizing anatomical structures such as the microvasculature, it can also provide functional information in the form of blood oxygenation, blood flow and temperature. All of this can be achieved over a wide range of length scales from micrometres to centimetres with scalable spatial resolution. These attributes lend PA imaging to a wide variety of applications in clinical medicine, preclinical research and basic biology for studying cancer, cardiovascular disease, abnormalities of the microcirculation and other conditions. With the emergence of a variety of truly compelling in vivo images obtained by a number of groups around the world in the last 2-3 years, the technique has come of age and the promise of PA imaging is now beginning to be realized. Recent highlights include the demonstration of whole-body small-animal imaging, the first demonstrations of molecular imaging, the introduction of new microscopy modes and the first steps towards clinical breast imaging being taken as well as a myriad of in vivo preclinical imaging studies. In this article, the underlying physical principles of the technique, its practical implementation, and a range of clinical and preclinical applications are reviewed.

Electron transfer by singlet excited state of porphyn and electron acceptor affinity in rigid medium: photoacoustic phase angle analysis

Photoacoustic spectroscopy provides information about both amplitude and phase of the response of a system to an optical excitation process. This paper presents the studies of the phase in the electron transfer process between octaethylporphyn (OEP) and quinone molecules dispersed in a polymeric matrix. It was observed a tendency in the phase behavior to small values only in the spectral region near to 620 nm, while for shorter wavelength did not show any tendency. These measurements suggested that the electron transfer to acceptor occurred with the participation of octaethylporphyn singlet excited state.

Photoacoustics in life sciences

Photoacoustic (PA) measurements provide, by the very nature of the PA effect, the possibility to obtain information on the optical and thermal properties of samples. In addition they can yield information on the enthalpy changes and characteristic times involved in photo-induced processes as the acoustic signal is proportional to the hear produced following the absorption of the modulated excitation. In the study of optical properties the relative insensitivity to scattered light of the PA signal makes such measurement an attractive way to measure biological samples in vivo, or, at least, without the need to isolate the absorbing compounds. The dependence of the PA signal on the thermal properties of the sample is particularly useful when heterogeneous samples are studied. As a photocalorimetric method the technique shows considerable promise in the study of photo-bioenergetics, especially photosynthesis. Only in special cases can analytical applications of the PA method compete with fluorescence measurements for detection, and with increasingly sophisticated optical transmission and reflectance techniques (for identification).. However, the PA method may find important uses in fundamental research and in applied areas such as biomedicine and agricultural biochemistry.

Piezoelectric detection of photoacoustic signals

Piezoelectric detection of photoacoustic signals offers a number of advantages over the better known microphonic technique for condensed phase samples. Experimental techniques are greatly simplified by taking advantage of the acoustic impedance match offered by solid state detectors with solid or liquid samples. Such piezoelectric detectors prove suitable for ac steady state measurements as well as impulse-transient response detectors. Several example spectra of Nd(III) are presented with emphasis on the effects of the fluorescence-lifetime in Nd:glass laser material.