Spectroscopy (SPE)

Section Information

Spectroscopy focuses on the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter to determine the structure, composition, and dynamics of atoms, molecules, and materials. It is essential across chemistry, physics, biology, environmental science, and materials research.

Modern spectroscopy includes optical, vibrational, magnetic resonance, mass-based, and surface-sensitive techniques that provide highly specific information about molecular identity, bonding, electronic states, and real-time processes. Advances in instrumentation, lasers, detectors, and data analysis continue to expand sensitivity, resolution, and application areas.

This section will publish research articles, short communications, and reviews on spectroscopic methods, instrumentation, theory, data interpretation, and applications in molecular characterization, materials analysis, reaction monitoring, sensing, and structural elucidation.

Scope

Optical and Electronic Spectroscopy
- UV–Vis, fluorescence, phosphorescence, and absorption studies
- Electronic transitions, excited states, and photophysics
- High-resolution and time-resolved optical spectroscopy
- Laser-based techniques and nonlinear optics
Vibrational and Rotational Spectroscopy
- Infrared (IR), FTIR, and near-IR spectroscopy
- Raman, resonance Raman, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
- Rotational and microwave spectroscopy
- Vibrational signatures for structure and functional group analysis
NMR, EPR, and Magnetic Resonance Techniques
- Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for structure elucidation
- Solid-state NMR, multidimensional NMR, and dynamic studies
- Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR/ESR) and spin chemistry
- Relaxation, diffusion, and magnetic resonance imaging approaches
Mass Spectrometry and Ion-Based Spectroscopy
- Ionization methods and mass analyzers
- MS/MS, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and fragmentation analysis
- Metabolomics, proteomics, and complex mixture characterization
- Coupled techniques such as LC–MS and GC–MS
X-ray, Neutron, and Electron Spectroscopies
- XPS, XANES, EXAFS, and related core-level techniques
- X-ray fluorescence and X-ray absorption spectroscopy
- Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and Auger spectroscopy
- Neutron-based spectroscopic and scattering methods
Surface and Interface Spectroscopy
- Surface-enhanced spectroscopies and plasmonic platforms
- Sum-frequency generation and nonlinear surface techniques
- Spectroscopic studies of adsorption, catalysis, and interfaces
- Thin-film and nanomaterial characterization
Time-Resolved and Ultrafast Spectroscopy
- Femtosecond and picosecond laser spectroscopy
- Dynamics of excited states, charge transfer, and reactions
- Pump–probe, transient absorption, and fluorescence upconversion
- Real-time monitoring of chemical and physical processes
Computational and Theoretical Spectroscopy
- Simulation of spectra using quantum chemical methods
- Spectral assignment, peak prediction, and modeling
- Machine learning and data-driven spectral interpretation
- Integrating theory with experiment for complex systems
Applied and Analytical Spectroscopy
- Spectroscopic sensing and diagnostics
- Environmental, forensic, biomedical, and industrial applications
- In situ, operando, and remote spectroscopic techniques
- Instrument development, miniaturization, and field-ready systems