August 18th 2025
This Icons of Spectroscopy Series article features E. Bright Wilson, a pioneer of chemical physics. Wilson’s contributions to infrared, Raman, and microwave spectroscopy provided the theoretical and practical foundation for analyzing molecular structure and dynamics. As a revered professor at Harvard and coauthor of landmark texts, he mentored nearly 150 students and researchers, leaving a lasting legacy of scientific excellence and integrity.
SAS Meggers Award: Analyzing Soil and Meat with Shifted Excitation Raman Difference Spectroscopy
October 29th 2020Spectroscopy Magazine sat down with Kay Sowoidnich to talk about how his group has demonstrated the potential of shifted-excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS) as an efficient tool for soil nutrient analysis.
How Does Concatenation Enhance Raman Spectroscopy?
September 1st 2020In general, many Raman measurements suffer from fluorescence, which forces the use of longer excitation wavelength (lower photon energy) lasers to prevent the fluorescence signal from overwhelming the Raman signal. However, this results in reduced sensitivity of low-cost silicon CCD detectors at higher wavenumbers, making it difficult (or impossible) to observe the “stretch” portion of the Raman spectra.
Quantum Computer Helium Laboratory Oxygen Deficiency Monitor O2iM from Oxigraf
September 1st 2020The Oxigraf state-of-the-art Oxygen Deficiency Monitor, the Model O2iM, is a responsive, accurate, and reliable safety monitor for oxygen displacement monitoring in quantum computer laboratory, MRI, NMR, and liquid nitrogen and helium storage facilities. Our reliable solid-state sensor does not require routine maintenance or factory calibration, and the O2iM is equipped with an automatic, programmable auto-calibration system. The system easily interfaces with alarm system and building management systems.
The 2020 Emerging Leader in Molecular Spectroscopy Award
September 1st 2020Markita Landry, the winner of the 2020 Emerging Leader in Molecular Spectroscopy Award, works at the intersection of single-molecule biophysics and nanomaterial-polymer science to develop new tools for understanding biological systems.
A Further Leap of Biomedical Raman Imaging
July 1st 2020In the past decades, we have witnessed the evolution of imaging technologies based on vibrational spectroscopy. In particular, the technical developments in Raman, coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS), and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy allow researchers to gain new insights in biological, medical, and pharmaceutical studies.
Combining Spectroscopy with Microscopy for Advancing the Analysis of Forensically Relevant Traces
July 1st 2020Forensic traces are physical remnants of past events that provide critical information for criminal and civil investigations and adjudications. The scientific examination of traces is an incredibly valuable tool for forensic investigations, because the skilled interpretation of traces yields factual answers to a range of pertinent questions.
Applications of Confocal Raman Spectroscopy and Imaging in the Medical Device Industry
June 1st 2020Raman spectroscopy and imaging techniques are well suited for the characterization of surfaces, interfaces, and coatings to support research, development, and manufacturing of medical devices. Here, we describe applications in surface modifications and coatings, differentiation of drug polymorphs, degradation of biomaterials, and forensic identification of unknown materials.
In Situ Enhancement of Microplastic Raman Signals in Water Using Ultrasonic Capture
June 1st 2020Of the 78 million tons of plastic packaging manufactured every year, approximately one-third ends up in the ocean, the air, and most foods and beverages. To monitor the proliferation of these plastics, an ultrasonic capture method is demonstrated that produces a 1500-fold enhancement of Raman signals of microplastics in water.
A Corrosive Liquid Investigated by Diamond ATR Infrared Spectroscopy
February 1st 2020Because of their corrosive properties, corrosive lipids are challenging to analyze by ATR-FT-IR. Repeated and prolonged analysis can damage many ATR crystals. Diamond ATR is a better choice for such applications than other ATR crystal materials like ZnSe and Ge. This application note examines a corrosive liquid as it becomes progressively more concentrated using diamond ATR.
Bioreactor Fermentation Monitoring with Raman Spectroscopy
February 1st 2020Raman spectroscopy’s high analytical selectivity and insensitivity to water is well suited for process monitoring in biotechnology. Here we explore the fermentation of glucose, a common feedstock, with a commonly used microorganism, yeast. Applying multivariate tools, we can monitor the main reactants and products with high sensitivity: glucose, ethanol, and carbon dioxide.
QTRam for Content Uniformity Analysis of Low-Dose Pharmaceutical Tablets
February 1st 2020Compressed tablet is the most common form of orally administered drug. The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) chapter <905> requires that dosage uniformity of such products containing less than 25 mg or less than 25% active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) by weight must be analyzed for content uniformity, which is based on the assay of each API in a number of individual dosage units.
Tracking Photocuring via ATR-FT-IR with Illumination through the ATR Element
February 1st 2020The utility of the GladiATR diamond ATR, modified with an internal liquid light guide to illuminate the sample from underneath the ATR element, was explored to analyze the photo-polymerization of carbitol acrylate at 405 nm using 1 wt% TPO.