Book excerpt: This is the first book to explain, illustrate, and compare the most widely used methods in optics: photoluminescence, infrared spectroscopy, and Raman scattering. Written with non-experts in mind, the book develops the background needed to understand the why and how of each technique, but does not require special knowledge of semiconductors or optics. Each method is illustrated with numerous case studies. Practical information drawn from the authors experience is given to help establish optical facilities, including commercial sources for equipment, and experimental details. For industrial scientists with specific problems in semiconducting materials; for academic scientists who wish to apply their spectroscopic methods to characterization problems; and for students in solid state physics, materials science and engineering, and semiconductor electronics and photonics, this book provides a unique overview, bringing together these valuable techniques in a coherent wayfor the first time.Discusses and compares infrared, Raman, and photoluminescence methodsEnables readers to choose the best method for a given problemIllustrates applications to help non-experts and industrial users, with answers to selected common problemsPresents fundamentals with examples from the semiconductor literature without excessive abstract discussionFeatures equipment lists and discussion of techniques to help establish characterization laboratories