Angelo Secchi was a key figure in 19th century science. An Italian Jesuit and scientist, he helped lead the transition from astronomy to astrophysics and left a lasting legacy in the field. Secchi's spectral classification of stars was a milestone that paved the way for modern astronomical research. He was also a founder of modern meteorology and an innovator in the design and development of new instruments and methods across disciplines.This contributed volume collects together reviews from an international group of historians, scientists and scholars representing the multiple disciplines where Secchi made significant contributions during his remarkable career. It analyzes both his famous and lesser known pioneering efforts with equal vigor, providing a well-rounded narrative of his life's work. Beyond his scientific and technological work, his role as a Jesuit priest in Rome during the turbulent years of the mid 19th century is also described and placed in the context of his scientific and civic activities.

Despite ten years of intensive research, there are still many questions concerning the nature of the electronic structure (Fermi vs non-Fermi liquid) and mechanisms of superconductivity. This book provides an up-to-date and comprehensive review of the experimental results and theoretical interpretations concerning elementary excitation spectra in high-Tc superconductor, both in the normal and superconducting states, and suggests directions where future experimental and theoretical efforts should be concentrated. A critical comparison of different theoretical models involving strong electron correlations, spin fluctuations and electron-phonon coupling is given.

This book presents a detailed look at experimental and computational techniques for accurate structure determination of free molecules. The most fundamental property of a molecule is its structure - it is a prerequisite for determining and understanding most other important properties of molecules. The determination of accurate structures is hampered by a myriad of factors, subjecting the collected data to non-negligible systematic errors. This book explains the origin of these errors and how to mitigate and even avoid them altogether. It features a detailed comparison of the different experimental and computation methods, explaining their interplay and the advantages of their combined use. Armed with this information, the reader will be able to choose the appropriate methods to determine - to a great degree of accuracy - the relevant molecular structure.

This book presents a theoretical study of the generation and conversion of phonon angular momentum in crystals. Recently, rotational motions of lattice vibrations, i.e., phonons, in crystals attract considerable attentions. As such, the book theoretically demonstrate generations of phonons with rotational motions, based on model calculations and first-principle calculations. In systems without inversion symmetry, the phonon angular momentum is shown to be caused by the temperature gradient, which is demonstrated in crystals such as wurtzite gallium nitride, tellurium, and selenium using the first-principle calculations. In systems with neither time-reversal nor inversion symmetries, the phonon angular momentum is shown to be generated by an electric field. Secondly, the book presents the microscopic mechanisms developed by the author and his collaborator on how these microscopic rotations of nuclei are coupled with electron spins. These predictions serve as building blocks for spintronics with phonons or mechanical motions.

This book explains transparency in biology with emphasis on bending and absorption, which together are the essence of transparency. The reader is provided with an understanding of why the interior of the body can be made to appear transparent through the application of elementary physics. Based on the principle of transparency, emerging imaging techniques using near-infrared light to view the body transparently are explained with examples such as cancer detection and temperature imaging of deep tissues. This book is useful to many researchers, including biologists, physicists, chemists, materials scientists, and device engineers as well as developers-all who seek a deep understanding of transparency in bioimaging.

This thesis describes the application of the collinear resonance laser spectroscopy to sensitively measure the electromagnetic nuclear observables of the neutron-rich indium isotopes 115-131In. This entailed a systematic study of the efficiency of resonant ionization schemes to extract the hyperfine structure of the isotopes, the atomic charge exchange process and benchmarking of modern atomic calculations with a laser ablation ion source. This allowed determination of the root-mean-square nuclear charge radii, nuclear magnetic dipole moments, nuclear electric quadrupole moments and nuclear spins of the 113-131In isotopes with high accuracy. With a proton hole in the Z = 50 nuclear shell closure of tin and several nuclear isomer states, these measurements of the indium (Z = 49) isotope chain provided an efficient probe of the evolution of nuclear structure properties towards and at the doubly-magic nuclear shell closure of 132Sn (N = 82) - revealing unpredicted changes.

This book discusses fundamentally new biomedical imaging methods, such as holography, holographic and resonant interferometry, and speckle optics. It focuses on the development of holographic interference microscopy and its use in the study of phase objects such as nerve and muscle fibers subjected to the influence of laser radiation, magnetic fields, and hyperbaric conditions. The book shows how the myelin sheath and even the axon itself exhibit waveguide properties, enabling a fresh new look at the mechanisms of information transmission in the human body. The book presents theoretically and experimentally tested holographic and speckle-optical methods and devices used for investigating complex, diffusely scattering surfaces such as skin and muscle tissue. Additionally, it gives broad discussion of the authors' own original fundamental and applied research dedicated to helping physicians introduce new contact-less methods of diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular and neuromuscular systems into medical practice. The book is aimed at a broad spectrum of scientific specialists in the fields of speckle optics, holography, laser physics, morphology and cytochemistry, as well as medical professionals such as physiologists, neuropathologists, neurosurgeons, cardiologists and dentists.

A Century of Separation Science presents an historical, as well as technical, perspective of the critical developments in separation science since 1900, covering recent advances in chromatography, electrophoresis, field-flow fractionation, contercurrent chromatography, adn supercritical fluid chromatography for high-speed and high-throughput analysis. The author also discusses the theory of gradient elution and solvent selection for optimal separation in liquid chromatography.

This thesis deals with the development and in-depth study of a new class of optoelectronic material platform comprising graphene and MoS_2, in which MoS_2 is used essentially to sensitize graphene and lead to unprecedently high gain and novel opto-electronic memory effects. The results presented here open up the possibility of designing a new class of photosensitive devices which can be utilized in various optoelectronic applications including biomedical sensing, astronomical sensing, optical communications, optical quantum information processing and in applications requiring low intensity photodetection and number resolved single photon detection.

This book critically assesses the current state of knowledge on new and important detection technologies, e.g. mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, biosensor detection and tissue imaging, in connection with toxic chemical and biological agents. In general, the main topics discussed concern the risks and consequences of chemical and biological agents for human health in general, with special emphasis on all biochemical and metabolic pathways including the reproductive system. The exposome, genetic risks and the environment, various health hazard agents, risk assessment, environmental assessment and preparedness, and analysis of sub-lethal effects at the molecular level are also discussed. In closing, the book provides comprehensive information on the diagnosis of exposure, and on health concerns related to toxic chemical and biological agents.

This book describes the history of and recent developments in cobaltite and the spin-crossover (SC) phenomena. It offers readers an overview of essential research conducted on cobaltite and introduces them to the fundamentals of condensed matter physics research. The book consists of two parts. The first part reviews SC phenomena, covering the fundamental physics of SC phenomena and basic material properties of cobaltite. The second part focuses on recent topics in SC cobaltite, including the optical and dynamical features of cobaltite, thin material fabrication, and thermoelectric properties. The comprehensive coverage and clearly structured topics will especially appeal to newcomers to the field of state-of-the-art research on cobaltite and SC physics.

This work covers principles of Raman theory, analysis, instrumentation, and measurement, specifying up-to-the-minute benefits of Raman spectroscopy in a variety of industrial and academic fields, and how to cultivate growth in new disciplines. It contains case studies that illustrate current techniques in data extraction and analysis, as well as over 500 drawings and photographs that clarify and reinforce critical text material. The authors discuss Raman spectra of gases; Raman spectroscopy applied to crystals, applications to gemology, in vivo Raman spectroscopy, applications in forensic science, and collectivity of vibrational modes, among many other topics.

This book addresses the development of electronic devices using redox-active organic molecules and their porous coordination networks (PCNs), and highlights the importance of the molecular arrangement. Redox-active organic molecules hold considerable promise as flexible electronic elements, because their electronic state can easily be controlled using external energy. Although various kinds of redox-active organic molecules have been synthesized, attempts to apply them to electronic devices have been limited, owing to the lack of proper structural design. Moreover, ligand-based redox-active PCNs remain largely unexplored because of the limited availability of redox-active ligands. In addition to developing new redox-active organic molecules, in order to design electronic devices based on these molecules/PCNs, it is essential to understand the connections between their molecular arrangement, electrical properties, and redox activity. In this thesis, the redox-active organic molecule 2,5,8-tri(4-pyridyl)1,3-diazaphenalene (TPDAP), which features a large pi plane and multi-intermolecular interactivity, is used to develop a resistive switching memory device. In addition, its PCNs are synthesized to fabricate chemiresistive sensors, and the electrical properties are modulated using post-synthetic modification. Each mechanism is systematically investigated by means of structural determination and well-defined control experiments. Subsequently, the book proposes general guidelines for designing electronic devices using redox-active organic molecules. The book will appeal to a broad range of readers, from basic scientists to materials engineers, as well as general, non-expert readers.

Covering a wide-ranging facet of a "gold-standard" targeted mass spectrometry (MS) method for the consistent detection and accurate quantification of preselected proteins in complex biological matrices, Selected Reaction Monitoring Mass Spectrometry (SRM-MS) in Proteomics: A Comprehensive View describes: The knowledge-based development of highly efficient SRM methodology including assay workflow, selection of proteins, peptides, transitions and its validation, and quality assessment Available bioinformatic tools - for both pre-acquisition method development and post-MS acquisition data analysis and data repositories Various relative and absolute quantification techniques SRM-MS' widespread applications in biomarker development and in clinical studies, as well as in the analysis of various posttranslational modifications (PTMs) Current challenges and contemporary trends to overcome those difficulties In addition, it features the historical development of modern-day mass spectrometry with its vivid applications and also covers basic MS instrumentation, ionization techniques, and various proteomics approaches. Comprehensive discussion, extensive references at the end of each chapter, and the list of review articles in the bibliography offer invaluable resources for advanced readings. Researchers from the undergraduate to postgraduate level and beyond in both academic or industry settings studying and working on mass spectrometry and/or proteomics will benefit from this book.

The high time-resolution radio sky represents unexplored astronomical territory. This thesis presents a study of the transient radio sky, focussing on millisecond scales. As such, the work is concerned primarily with neutron stars. In particular this research concentrates on a recently identified group of neutron stars, known as RRATs, which exhibit radio bursts every few minutes to every few hours. After analysing neutron star birthrates, a re-analysis of the Parkes Multibeam Pulsar Survey is described which has resulted in the discovery of 19 new transient radio sources. Of these, 12 have been seen to repeat and a follow-up campaign of observations has been undertaken. These studies have greatly increased our knowledge of the rotational properties of RRATs and enable us to conclude that they are pulsars with extreme nulling and/or pulse-to-pulse modulation. Although the evolution of neutron stars post-supernova is not yet understood, it seems that RRATs fit into the emerging picture in which pulsar magnetospheres switch between stable configurations.

This book comprises the proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC12) focusing on emerging opportunities and challenges in the field of materials sciences, life sciences and microscopy techniques. The contents of this volume include papers on aberration corrected TEM & STEM, SEM - FIB, ion beam microscopy, electron diffraction & crystallography, microscopy and imaging associated with bio-nanotechnology, medical applications, host-pathogen interaction, etc. This book will be beneficial to researchers, educators, and practitioners alike.

EPR spectroscopy is a versatile, nondestructive technique widely used in chemistry, biology, and physics. It detects molecules and materials with unpaired electrons making it a very selective technique that produces a wealth of information on such systems. Its high sensitivity makes it suitable in analyzing very small samples, single crystals, or reaction intermediates like radicals. This textbook takes a practical approach that introduces the basic concepts of EPR to suffi cient detail to allow the reader to gain a basic knowledge of EPR and understand how experiments are carried out and how spectra are analyzed and interpreted. Many illustrative examples are included drawn from solid-state physics and bioinorganic chemistry. It is suitable as a short introduction for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students taking their fi rst steps into EPR research.

This thesis presents significant advances in the imaging and theory of the ultrafast dynamics of surface plasmon polariton fields. The author details construction of a sub-10 femtosecond and sub-10 nanometer spatiotemporal resolution ultrafast photoemission microscope which is subsequently used for the discovery of topological meron and skyrmion-like plasmonic quasiparticles. In particular, this enabled the creation of movies of the surface plasmon polariton fields evolving on sub-optical wavelength scales at around 0.1 femtosecond per image frame undergoing vortex phase evolution. The key insight that the transverse spin of surface plasmon polaritons undergoes a texturing into meron or skyrmion-like topological quasiparticles (defined by the geometric charge of the preparation) follows. In addition, this thesis develops an analytical theory of these new topological quasiparticles, opening new avenues of research, while the ultrafast microscopy techniques established within will also be broadly applicable to studies of nanoscale optical excitations in electronic materials.

A unique look at some of the hottest topics in photophysics and photochemistry today

The study of molecules in excited states has exploded over the past decade, providing new insights into conformational changes in organic molecules and opening up research opportunities for scientists and professionals in chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, and materials engineering.

Using conformational analysis as a unifying concept, this important new work provides readers with a cohesive and cutting–edge overview of this fascinating and challenging field. From conformational changes accompanying photoinduced electron transfer to elementary photophysical and photochemical processes in living systems, the most representative and challenging topics are carefully gleaned from the vast literature, highlighting major conceptual problems along with the relevant experimental techniques. Authoritative, detailed contributions from both experimentalists and theoreticians include coverage of:

• Conformational changes in intramolecular excited state electron transfer
• Conformational aspects of excited state proton transfer
• The novel topic of solute–solvent friction in chemical reactions
• Mechanisms and structural aspects of exciplex formations
• Conformational aspects of organic photochemistry
• Calculations of excited state conformational properties

The book covers in particular state-of-the-art scientific research about product quality control and related health and environmental safety topics, including human, animal and plant safety assurance issues. These conference proceedings provide contemporary information on the general theoretical, metrological and practical issues of the production and application of reference materials. Reference materials play an integral role in physical, chemical and related type of measurements, ensuring their uniformity, comparability and the validity of quantitative analysis as well as, as a result, the objectivity of decisions concerning the elimination of technical barriers in commercial and economic, scientific and technical and other spheres of cooperation. The book is intended for researchers and practitioners in the field of chemistry, metrologists, technical physics, as well as for specialists in analytical laboratories, or working for companies and organizations involved in the production, distribution and use of reference materials.

This book discusses the spectral properties of solid-state laser materials, including emission and absorption of light, the law of radiative and nonradiative transitions, the selection rule for optical transitions, and different calculation methods of the spectral parameters. The book includes a systematic presentation of the authors' own research works in this field, specifically addressing the stimulated nonradiative transition theory and the apparent crystal field model. This volume is helpful resource for researchers and graduate students in the fields of solid spectroscopy and solid-state laser material physics, while also serving as a valuable reference guide for instructors and advanced students of physics.

This book highlights the latest advances in bioMEMS for biosensing applications. It comprehensively reviews different detection methods, including colorimetric, fluorescence, luminescence, bioluminescence, chemiluminescence, biochemiluminescence, and electrochemiluminescence, and presents various bioMEMS for each, together with recent examples. The book also offers an overview of the history of BioMEMS and the design and manufacture of the first bioMEMS-based devices.

This book is devoted to the synthetic and physical chemistry of aromatic thiols and their closest derivatives, sulfides, sulfoxides, sulfones, including those substituted by various functional groups such as acyl and thioacyl, alkoxide, ester, hydroxyl and halogens. In some cases, for comparison, selenium and oxygen analogues are also detailed. The main focus of the book is on synthetic methods, both traditional and new, based on the use of transition metals as catalysts, as well as the reactivity of the compounds obtained. Its addition to the influence of conformational and electronic factors on spectral (NMR, IR, UV, NQR) and electrochemical characteristics of the compounds is presented. Finally, the book describes the application of aromatic thiols and their derivatives as drug precursors, high-tech materials, building blocks for organic synthesis, analytical reagents and additives for oils and fuels. It is a useful handbook for all those interested in organosulfur chemistry.