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This module examines three important areas of Physical Chemistry:
(i) Laser Spectroscopy and Photophysics. This topic starts with a description of the range of lasers currently available. The fundamental principles of the production of laser light are outlined in the context of the Einstein equations for optical transitions. Novel laser techniques that are capable of providing very high spectral resolution are outlined in applications of molecular spectroscopy.
(ii) Atmospheric Photochemistry. This subject is outlined in relation to the chemical constituents of the earths atmosphere and the wavelength of the sun’s radiation reaching specific regions. Global warming and the hole in the ozone layer are two topics outlined in detail.
(iii) Spectroscopy of Biomolecules: Several spectroscopic methods used to study proteins and DNA will be reviewed. Absorbance, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy will be described in detail. The use of all three methods for the detection and structural characterisation of biomacromolecules will be discussed.
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