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Excited state dynamics provides an intrinsic molecular contrast of samples examined. These dynamics can be monitored by pump probe spectroscopy which measures the change in transmission of a probe beam induced by a pump beam. With superior detection sensitivity, chemical specificity and spatial-temporal resolution, pump probe microscopy is an emerging tool for functional imaging of non-fluorescent chromophores and nanomaterials. This article reviews the basic principle, instrumentation strategy, data analysis methods, and applications of pump probe microscopy. A brief outlook is provided.

Pump–Probe Microscopy: Theory, Instrumentation, and Applications

Heinz W. Siesler, Emeritus Professor at University of Duisburg-Essen, reviews Jerry Workman’s new book, The Concise Handbook of Analytical Spectroscopy Theory, Applications, and Reference Materials

Book Review: The Concise Handbook of Analytical Spectroscopy Theory, Applications, and Reference Materials

Howard Mark serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of 

 and runs a consulting service, Mark Electronics that provides assistance, training, and consultation in near-IR spectroscopy as well as custom hardware and software design and development.

Jerome Workman Jr. serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Spectroscopy and is currently with Unity Scientific LLC. He is also an adjunct professor at Liberty University and U.S. National University. He can be reached at jworkman04@gsb.columbia.edu.

We present the first of a short set of columns dealing with the subject of statistics. This current series is organized as a “top down” view of the subject, as opposed to the usual literature (and our own previous) approach of giving “bottom up” description of the multitude of equations that are encountered. We hope this different approach will succeed in giving our readers a more coherent view of the subject, as well as persuading them to undertake further study of the field.

Statistics, Part I: First Foundation

, is the founder and CEO of Big Sur Scientific, a maker of portable mid-infrared cannabis analyzers. He has over 30 years experience as an industrial infrared spectroscopist, has published numerous peer-reviewed papers, and has written three books on spectroscopy. As a trainer, he has helped thousands of people around the world improve their infrared analyses. In addition to writing for Spectroscopy, Dr. Smith writes a regular column for its sister publication Cannabis Science and Technology and sits on its editorial board. He earned his PhD in physical chemistry from Dartmouth College.

Continuing the theory and practice themes from previous columns, the theory portion of this column will be a discussion of the proper way of handling the infrared spectral interpretation of mixtures. In my opinion, mixtures are the biggest obstacle to interpreting infrared spectra, and I will share with readers five tried-and-true techniques for dealing with them. The practice portion of the column will give the answer to the last installment’s problem, and complete the spectral analysis of straight chain alkanes.

More Theory and Practice: The Thorny Problem of Mixtures and More on Straight Chain Alkanes

David Tuschel is a Raman applications manager at Horiba Scientific in Edison, New Jersey, where he works with Fran Adar. David is sharing authorship of the "Molecular Spectroscopy Workbench" column with Fran.

Polarized Raman spectra are presented along with a discussion of the association of the symmetry species of the normal vibrational mode and the depolarization ratio of Raman scattering.

Practical Group Theory and Raman Spectroscopy, Part II: Application of Polarization

Mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers, recently developed and commercialized, have unique properties that advance the analytical capabilities of IR spectroscopy in many ways. Bernhard Lendl of Vienna University of Technology in Austria explains these developments.

Quantum Cascade Lasers for Infrared Spectroscopy: Theory, State of the Art, and Applications

Podcasts

An interview with Rohit Bhargava, the winner of the 2012 FACSS/SciX Innovation Award.

Vibrational Spectroscopic Imaging: Theory, Application, and Advances

The field of mid-infrared (mid-IR) imaging has made significant developments in recent years, but the theory has not kept pace. Rohit Bhargava, an associate professor of engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the associate director of the University of Illinois Cancer Center, recently undertook studies to address that gap. Spectroscopy spoke to him recently about that work.

Resolution in Mid-Infrared Imaging: The Theory

The connection between the mathematics of classical least squares and the graphical displays used to present it is examined in further detail.

Classical Least Squares, Part IV: Spectroscopic Theory Continued

The authors continue their ongoing discussion of classical least squares with a look at spectroscopic theory.

Analytical Theory