As with the first edition, intentionally in contrast to most older textbooks and monographs, this approach dwells less on high-level theory and instrumentation: instead, the emphasis is on describing physical principles and mechanisms, supplemented by examples of real-world applications. Key equations are included, and their origins are explained, but the mathematics is again kept to a minimum though quantitative understanding is nevertheless put into practice via example calculations throughout the text. The required knowledge of university-level calculus and linear algebra seldom extends beyond recognizing the meaning of derivatives, integrals, and matrices. As such, this book will be invaluable to senior undergraduates and graduate students seeking an accessible overview of the major topics in modern photophysics and molecular spectroscopy.
This excellent book is pitched just at the right level for an undergraduate or introductory graduate course. For instance, it discusses fundamental spectroscopy, that many students will have seen before in standard courses, then connects those concepts to more advanced and applied topics. Gregory D. Scholes, FRS, FRSCan, Princeton University, New Jersey, USA
