Light microscopy of organized monolayers

The molecular organization strongly influences the optical properties of monolayers. Light microscopic techniques have provided new insights into the relation between molecular packing and the morphology of monolayers, phase transitions, the shape and inner structure of domains as well as the behavior of binary mixtures. Photochemical transformations in organized monolayers have been investigated with these techniques. The phenomena observed with light microscopic techniques have been rationalized by theories providing new access to structural, energetic and mechanical parameters of the ultrathin systems.