00911 - Applied spectroscopy

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will acquire in-depth knowledge of spectroscopic techniques for the characterization of molecules and materials. Particular emphasis will be placed on the practical applications of optical spectroscopies, focusing on IR absorption, Raman scattering, and UV-Vis absorption and emission techniques. The student will be introduced to the use of the most commonly employed instruments in modern scientific and industrial laboratories and will gain an understanding of their practical operation. Examples of the application of vibrational spectroscopy in interdisciplinary fields will also be presented, including forensic science, cultural heritage preservation, atmospheric studies, and astronomy.

Course contents

Course prerequisites

It is advisable to have attended/passed the Physical Chemistry 2 exam.

General Concepts of Spectroscopy

Electromagnetic radiation. Interaction between light and matter. Basic concepts of absorption and emission of electromagnetic radiation by molecular species. Einstein coefficients and transition probabilities.

Rotational Spectroscopy

Rotational energy levels. Pure rotational spectra. Selection rules. Level populations and spectral structure. Transition intensities in rotational spectra. Non-rigid rotors. Rotational spectra of polyatomic molecules. Overview of instrumentation used in rotational spectroscopy.

Vibrational Spectroscopy

This section of the course introduces the theoretical foundations of infrared (IR) and Raman vibrational spectroscopy, along with practical examples of spectral analysis using these techniques. Starting from the simple harmonic oscillator model to describe molecular vibrations, the course progresses to the analysis of spectra from more complex molecules, introducing the concept of group frequencies. Instrumentation for vibrational spectroscopy will also be covered, including FT-IR, ATR, and Raman spectrometers and microspectrometers.

Electronic Spectroscopy (UV-Vis)

Electronic transitions. Electronic spectra of atoms. The Franck–Condon principle and vibronic transitions. Electronic spectra of polyatomic molecules. Chromophores. Decay of electronically excited states: non-radiative decay, radiative decay including fluorescence and phosphorescence. Overview of instrumentation for electronic spectroscopy.

Applications of Spectroscopic Techniques

Applications of spectroscopic methods in the study of the atmosphere, astrophysics, solid state, materials science, and cultural heritage.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes covering all topics are provided and available to students through the university repository.

Molecular Spectroscopy / Jeanne L. McHale.
Second edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2017.

Teaching methods

Lectures are delivered in person with the support of projected PowerPoint slides and other multimedia materials.

Assessment methods

The exam is oral and covers two topics. During the examination, the student will be asked to discuss and explain key concepts, demonstrate basic understanding of theoretical principles and instrumentations.

 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Lectures are supported by PowerPoint slides, whiteboard explanations, selected videos or visualizations, and downloadable lecture notes. All materials are shared via Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Elisabetta Venuti