The smart and colourful world of ‘chromic phenomena’

Abstract

These are 374 pages of the most mentally colourful black and white anyone could hope to find on a bookshelf. It is also a most satisfying round up of the technologies and phenomena that colour every aspect of life. From the main chemical classes, through the ‘isms of ionochromism, electrochromism, solvatochromism and miscellaneous; encompassing colour physics, classic organic dies and pigments, solvent dyes, photographic colour chemicals and inkjet printing, not forgetting electrophotography; including luminescent pigments, cathodolumenescence, fluorescence, chemi, bio and electro luminescences; lasers, optical data storage, photosensitisers, solar energy use, and finally liquid crystals, nematic, cholesteric and luminescent liquid crystals, the colours of reflection, interference and diffraction (what a haiku that might make) through holography, laser diodes, optoelectronics, photorefractive polymers and photonics, consultant author Peter Bamfield runs a stunning mantra to all the aspects of light.