During the past decade, fluorescence techniques have come to occupy a position of central importance in biochemistry. Such areas as laser techniques, radiation- less energy transfer, and nanosecond fluorometry have evolved from esoteric research specialties into standard procedures that are applied routinely to bio- chemical problems. Indeed, discussion of the above three areas occupies the greater part of this book. Its level and approach are appropriate for the bio- logical or physical scientist who is interested in applying fluorescence techniques, but is not necessarily an expert in this...

The choice of title for this collective volume reflects the desire of the editors and authors to make clear that, while the bulk of the material is concerned with luminescence, other aspects of the excited state have not been excluded. In the five years which have elapsed since the publication of the classical monograph of Konev, a wealth of new information has ap peared on the emission properties of proteins and nucleic acids. Indeed, since new publications in this area appear to be proliferating in a geometric ratio, this may be the last opportunity to provide a comprehensive summary of the...