Overview of basic concepts: Light-matter interaction, Einstein coefficients, introduction to lasers, transition dipole moment, selection rules for electronic transitions, Jablonskii diagram, fluorescence and phosphorescence, kinetics of unimolecular and bimolecular processes.

Advanced concepts: Theory of nonradiative transitions, spin-orbit coupling and singlet-triplet transitions, polarized light absorption and emission: fluorescence anisotropy, solvation dynamics, energetics and dynamics of bimolecular processes like excimer and exciplex formation, resonance energy transfer, mechanisms of fluorescence quenching, introduction to non-linear spectroscopy.

Techniques and instrumentation: Uv-Vis spectrophotometry, steady-state fluorimetry, lasers as excitation sources, time-resolved fluorimetry, transient absorption spectroscopy, surface plasmon spectroscopy, evanescent wave spectroscopy, multiphoton spectroscopy, single-molecule spectroscopy, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.

Applications: Microscopy (optical, phase-contrast, confocal, FLIM). Applications in biology and analytical chemistry.

Text Books:

1. Modern Spectroscopy, J M Hollas, John Wiley & Sons, 4^th Edn, 2004
2. Modern Optical Spectroscopy, William W Parson, Springer, Student Edn, 2009
3. Fundamentals of Photochemistry, K K Rohatgi-Mukhejee, Wiley Eastern Ltd, 1992
4. Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy, J R Lakowicz, Springer, 3^rd Edn, 2006
5. Laser Spectroscopy- Basic concepts and instrumentation – W. Demtroder (Springer 3^rd edition, 2004)