Application of semiconductor light sources for investigations of photochemical reactions

Semiconductor light sources, like laser diodes or ultrabright light emitting diodes, are widely used in optical spectroscopy. In this presentation an overview of applications in photochemistry is given. Since the beginning of the 1990s an increasing number of publications with the application of semiconductor light sources appeared. Three different techniques were used: single photon counting with short pulses, phase-modulation fluorometry using a conventional modulation spectrometer, or a lock-in amplifier. Using continuous wave laser diodes in the visible region, which are available from 690 to 630 nm (and, recently, down to 400 nm), a new compact fluorescence spectrometer was developed in our laboratory. Using the phase fluorometric method, measurements down to 100 ps are now possible. Values can be measured in steps of 10 ps with good reproducibility using a high-frequency signal generator and a GHz digital storage oscilloscope. Several investigations have been carried out applying this technique including time-resolved detection of crude oil as an example for possible practical applications.