Electronic absorption bands of conjugated linear carbon chain molecules, namely polyynes H(C≡C)nH (n=5−7), are exploited to devise light-polarizing films applicable to the UV. Laser ablated polyynes are separated in size and dispersed in a film of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which is stretched to align the trapped linear polyyne molecules inside. As a nature of the structural anisotropy, transition dipole of the UV absorption for polyyne molecules is in parallel with the molecular axis and the absorption occurs only for the electromagnetic wave having the amplitude of its electric vector along the molecular axis. Aligned and fixed orientationally in the solid PVA film, polyyne molecules act as selective absorbers of one of the polarization components of incident light at particular wavelength. Using a light source of linearly polarized UV light, whose direction of polarization is rotatable, angular dependence of the absorption intensity is investigated for the stretched PVA film containing aligned polyyne molecules and analyzed in terms of an order parameter in the theory of linear dichroism.

This study investigates the electronic transitions of complexes of lithium with polyethylene glycol (PEG) by the absorption bands of solvent molecules via attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy in the far-UV region (ATR−FUV). Alkali-metal complexes are interesting materials because of their functional characteristics such as good ionic conductivity. These complexes are used as polymer electrolytes for Li batteries and as one of the new types of room-temperature ionic liquids, termed solvation ionic liquids. Considering these applications, alkali-metal complexes have been studied mainly for their electrochemical characteristics; there is no fundamental study providing a clear understanding of electronic states in terms of electronic structures for the ground and excitation states near the highest occupied molecular orbital− lowest occupied molecular orbital transitions. This study explores the electronic transitions of ligand molecules in alkali-metal complexes. In the ATR−FUV spectra of the Li−PEG complex, a decrease in intensity and a large blue shift (over 4 nm) were observed to result from an increase in the concentration of Li salts. This observation suggests the formation of a complex, with coordinate bonding between Li + and the O atoms in PEG. Comparison of the experimental spectrum with a simulated spectrum of the Li−PEG complex calculated by time-dependent density functional theory indicated that changes in the intensities and peak positions of bands at approximately 155 and 177 nm (pure PEG shows bands at 155, 163, and 177 nm) are due to the formation of coordinate bonding between Li + and the O atoms in the ether molecule. The intensity of the 177 nm band depends on the number of residual free O atoms in the ether, and the peak wavelength at approximately 177 nm changes with the expansion of the electron clouds of PEG. We assign a band in the 145−155 nm region to the alkali-metal complex because we observed a new band at approximately 150 nm in the ATR−FUV spectra of very highly concentrated binary mixtures.

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The demand for Li secondary batteries is increasing, with the need for batteries with a higher level of performance and improved safety features. The use of a highly concentrated aqueous electrolyte solution is an effective way to increase the safety of batteries because it is possible to use “water-in-salt” (WIS) and “hydrate-melt” (HM) electrolytes for practical applications. These electrolytes exhibit a potential window of >3.0 V, which is attributed to the difference between the HOMO and the LUMO energies of the n orbital of the pure water molecules and that of the water molecules in the hydration shells of a metal ion, according to theoretical predictions. Thus, in the present study, the attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectra of water and super-concentrated aqueous solutions, such as WIS and HM using a Li salt, were experimentally investigated. The effects of anions, cations, and deuteriums on the ATR-FUV spectra were examined. The ATR-FUV method is an excellent means of studying highly concentrated aqueous salt solutions. The results suggest that the transition energy of water molecules in an ultrahighly concentrated aqueous electrolyte containing HM and WIS increased by nearly 0.4 eV (corresponding to an energy shift of over 10 nm) compared to an aqueous electrolyte with a typical water concentration. It was also revealed that the transition energy of water changes depending on the environment of the non-bonding electron, which is directly connected with or affected by hydrogen bonding with other water molecules or directly connected with Li+.

Spectroscopic methods deliver a valuable non-destructive analytical tool that provides simultaneous qualitative and quantitative characterization of various samples. Apples belong to the world’s most consumed crops and with the current challenges of climate change and human impacts on the environment, maintaining high-quality apple production has become critical. This review comprehensively analyzes the application of spectroscopy in near-infrared (NIR) and visible (Vis) regions, which not only show particular potential in evaluating the quality parameters of apples but also in optimizing their production and supply routines. This includes the assessment of the external and internal characteristics such as color, size, shape, surface defects, soluble solids content (SSC), total titratable acidity (TA), firmness, starch pattern index (SPI), total dry matter concentration (DM), and nutritional value. The review also summarizes various techniques and approaches used in Vis/NIR studies of apples, such as authenticity, origin, identification, adulteration, and quality control. Optical sensors and associated methods offer a wide suite of solutions readily addressing the main needs of the industry in practical routines as well, e.g., efficient sorting and grading of apples based on sweetness and other quality parameters, facilitating quality control throughout the production and supply chain. This review also evaluates ongoing development trends in the application of handheld and portable instruments operating in the Vis/NIR and NIR spectral regions for apple quality control. The use of these technologies can enhance apple crop quality, maintain competitiveness, and meet the demands of consumers, making them a crucial topic in the apple industry. The focal point of this review is placed on the literature published in the last five years, with the exceptions of seminal works that have played a critical role in shaping the field or representative studies that highlight the progress made in specific areas.