Welcome to the course in optical spectroscopy

Bellow you will find necessary information on how to navigate through the course. The pages were created for the Canvas platform last year and I have deliberately left some of it contents for your reference but all will be updated during the course. Please contact me if you have questions or suggestions on improvements.

/Bo Albinsson

Course-PM

KFK150 Applied optical spectroscopy lp4 VT22 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Contact details

Lecturer & Examiner:

Bo Albinsson  balb@chalmers.se

 

Exercise tutors:

Wera Larsson wera.larsson@chalmers.se

Rasmus Ringström rasmusr@chalmers.se 

Lab project advisors:

Paulinne Pfeiffer paupfe@chalmers.se

Rasmus Ringström rasmusr@chalmers.se 

Wera Larsson wera.larsson@chalmers.se

Hassan Mourad hassanmo@chalmers.se

Course purpose

The overall aim of this course is to provide an understanding about various spectroscopic techniques, from the theoretical background to the hands-on procedures.

Schedule

The full schedule is found at Time Edit through the link:

Time Edit

Not all of the lecture occasions will be used so I provide a more specific schedule with lecture and exercise content included:

Schedule

 

Course literature

Book: Modern Spectroscopy, 4th Ed. J. Michael Hollas available at Cremona

In Hollas, the following pages/paragraphs are excluded:

Chapter 5: Paragraphs 5.2.3, 5.2.4, and 5.3.4.

Chapter 6: Paragraphs 6.2.2 and 6.2.4.

Chapter 7: Paragraphs 7.1, 7.2.2 – 7.2.4, 7.2.5.4 – 7.2.6.2, 7.3.5.

Chapter 8

Other written material will be made available on Canvas under "Modules"

 

Course design

The course starts with an introduction to important spectroscopic techniques, used in ongoing research projects. Thereafter, basic quantum chemistry is repeated, and forms the basis for discussing the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter. This includes relevant theory for understanding this interaction.
The course covers vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman), UV and Visible light spectroscopy, laser spectroscopy and emission spectroscopy, with focus on the applications of these techniques.

The lectures cover practical use of quantum mechanical operators, theory for vibrational and rotational motion and electronic excitation, selection rules and perturbation theory. The theoretical aspect is covered during lectures and the use is illustrated in exercises and projects.

The teaching consists of lectures, exercises, writing assignments and hand-in problems and a mandatory project work including an oral presentation and a written report. The lab projects are done in groups of four students. Typically you should spend 2-3 days for planning and performing experiments and 2-3 days for analyzing results and writing the report. All projects are also reported through a mandatory oral presentation, this year scheduled for Wednesday, May 18. You should during the first two weeks of the course assemble a project group and contact one of the supervisor (see above) to select and decide on which project you should do. Selection of projects will be on a first come first serve basis.

Assignments: Are voluntarily, and handed in individually (but discussion is highly encouraged) The assignment could give extra credit for passing the final exam if handed in on time. 

Written project: Are mandatory and performed individually (but discussion is highly encouraged).

Lab Projects: Are mandatory and performed in groups of four students. The work should be planned and performed together with the project advisor. The advisor must approve the project report no later than two days before the oral presentation.

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

 

1. Apply basic quantum chemistry to describe and predict the outcome of light-matter interactions. Assessed in written or oral exam.
2. Assign point group of a given molecule in order to find allowed or forbidden transitions based on molecular structure. Assessed in written or oral exam.
3. Derive the selection rules for transitions within atoms and molecules. Assessed in written or oral exam.
4. Apply your knowledge of optical spectroscopic techniques, such as UV-vis absorption, fluorescence, IR, and Raman to solve basic spectroscopic problems, both theoretically and practically. Assessed in written or oral exam and project.
5. Describe the theory behind the function of a laser. Also, identify practical problems where laser spectroscopy can be used. Assessed in written or oral exam.
6. Collect experimental and literature data and critically analyze the result within a team. Further, present your results in a report as well as in an oral presentation. Assessed in project.
7. Understand the theoretical background of rotational, vibrational, and electronic spectroscopy. Assessed in written or oral exam and project.

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen.

Study plan

 

Examination form

To get the credits for the course you need to pass a written and/or oral examination and have an approved laboratory project. Hand-in assignments are not compulsory but will give extra points for the final exam if submitted in time and approved. The final exam is scheduled for May 28, 14-18. Don´t forget to register for the exam.