Optical Spectroscopy of Inorganic Solids

The beautiful colours of many inorganic compounds, including minerals and gemstones, as well as the mysterious cold light of luminescence emitted by these materials, have attracted the inquisitiveness of natural philosophers for centuries. The scientific study of such phenomena - the optical spectroscopy of solids - has paid rich dividends in technological advances such as lasers and other optronic devices. This is a book on the art of optical spectroscopy of solids, establishing a theoretical and experimental framework for the subject, which is well illustrated with relevant spectra and experimental data. Chapters 1 to 5 set down the quantum description of atoms, ions and defects in solids, and the interaction of such centres with electromagnetic radiation. Considerations of symmetry and the effects of lattice vibrations on the spectroscopic properties are treated in detail . The physical bases of prominent experimental techniques are presented in Chapter 6 and their application to colour centres, dopant rare-earth and transition-metal ions are described in Chapters 7 -9. The spectroscopic behaviours of magnetic ions at high concentration are detailed in Chapter 10, followed by a brief review of the operational features of solid state lasers that rely on the foregoing discussion of their optical characteristics. Finally, Chapter 12 describes the application of magneto-optical double resonance techniques to the elucidation of the optical properties of insulating and semi-conducting materials. The authors emphasize that their own interests have guided the selection of topics from the panoply of available choices. They have written the book with senior undergraduates and postgraduates in mind: it is expected also to be useful to seasoned investigators from solid state physics and engineering from inorganic chemistry, and from materials and geological sciences.

Brian Henderson Professor Emiritus, Strathcyde University Home address: 5 Raynhams High Street Saffron Waldon Essex CB10 1AT Brian Henderson graduated with B Sc (1958) and Ph D (1962) at Birmingham University, England. Researches into the spectroscopic properties of point defects and paramagnetic ions in insulating materials led to appointments at AERE Harwell, as Reader in Physics at Keele University, Professor of Natural Philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin and Professor of Photonics at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. He has more than 200 publications including books, critical reviews and refereed journal articles. He retired in 1997. George F. Imbusch Professor Emiritus National University of Ireland, Galway University Road Galway Ireland Frank Imbusch obtained the BSc (1956) and MSc (1958) degrees at University College, Galway, after which he carried out graduate research for his Ph D (1964) at Stanford University with the Nobel Laureate Art Schawlow. His researches on high resolution optical spectroscopy of transition and rare earth metal ions in solid state hosts continued at the Bell Laboratories before his return to Galway as lecturer in Physics in 1967. He was promoted there to Professor of Experimental Physics in 1976 and retired from the Department of Physics in 2000. He is at present Academic Research Officer at the Royal Irish Academy.