Use of polarization spectroscopy in studies of lanthanide complexes in solution

The use of linearly or circularly polarized light in the absorption or excitation beam in spectroscopic studies involving lanthanide ions, and the analysis of emitted light polarization has provided useful information concerning molecular structure, and excited state dynamics and energetics. Linear polarization studies may be used to aid in the assignment of crystal field components of electronic transitions, and circular polarization may be employed as a probe of chiral structure and structural changes. Examples of several of the different experimental techniques are presented and discussed.