ABSTRACT
Often in textbooks, complex methods such as fluorescence anisotropy and polarization are described using mathematical formulae. Although a formula can be a precise and concise means of conveying complex ideas between experts well trained in mathematics, the use of formulae can actually impede comprehension for a lay audience. Similarly, the use of technical jargon can aid communication between experts with a common appreciation of underlying concepts, but its use can hinder communication with the uninitiated. Alternatively, attempts to present complex methods in an intuitive fashion often require making simplifying assumptions, which can lead to confusion. Here, we attempt to avoid
these communication pitfalls by first presenting the fundamental photophysical concepts underlying fluorescence polarization and anisotropy. This we hope will provide some foundation for the more detailed explanations, occasionally using formulae, found in subsequent sections and serve as a starting point from which a thorough understanding of the theoretical principles governing the technique can be attained.
