Lanthanides have fascinated scientists for more than two centuries now, and since efficient separation techniques were established roughly 50 years ago, they have increasingly found their way into industrial exploitation and our everyday lives. Numerous applications are based on their unique luminescent properties, which are highlighted in this volume. It presents established knowledge about the photophysical basics, relevant lanthanide probes or materials, and describes instrumentation-related aspects including chemical and physical sensors. The uses of lanthanides in bioanalysis and medicine are outlined, such as assays for in vitro diagnostics and research. All chapters were compiled by renowned scientists with a broad audience in mind, providing both beginners in the field and advanced researchers with comprehensive information on on the given subject.
From the reviews: "It presents all the information in a uniform shape, with consistent abbreviations and variables throughout the chapter, making it a very good introduction for the reader new to the area. ... In summary, because of the increase of the research community's interest in emitting lanthanide ions and/or their complexes for applications ranging from lighting to imaging and sensing, the publication of this book, which provides extensive information on lanthanide luminescence and associated instrumentation as well as the state-of-the art research, is timely." (Ana de Bettencourt-Dias, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 133, November, 2011)