VISPEC is a working group  of SIOF and it was born in the wake of the tradition of a group of spectroscopists founded in the 1980s (see historical background).

VISPEC WG is interested in diverse areas:

Applications of vibrational spectroscopy
  • Physical Chemistry / Chemical Physics
  • Organic Chemistry (product recognition)
  • Life Sciences (sensing, understanding biochemical processes, biomolecule structure)
  • Materials Science and Technology (development of new materials, their optimization)
  • Cultural Heritage (chemical recognition, degradation status, …)
  • Analytical Chemistry/Sensing (drugs, pollutants, biomolecules, …)

Development of methods/techniques for vibrational spectroscopy

  • Quantum chemistry / Molecular dynamics (calculation of electronic and vibrational structure)
  • Instrumentation / sample treatment
  • Industrial diagnostics (online process monitoring, chemical and pharmaceutical industry)

Areas of synergistic interest with other groups in SIOF

  • (nano) Photonics and Plasmonics
  • synthesis and characterization of nanostructures
  • dielectric systems
  • metal/dielectric hybrid systems
  • light generation and measurement (sensors)
  • Enhanced spectroscopy (SERS, Enhanced CD, SEIRA)
  • Development of optical instrumentation / special setups / cells
  • Applications to the sensing of specific substance classes (e.g., biomolecules, drugs, pollutants, food adulterants, …)

The VISPEC school and conference on vibrational spectroscopy will be held in February 2026 in the beautiful city of Pavia, Italy.
In the footsteps of previous editions, VISPEC2026 will be the perfect place to discuss and analyze scientific advances and practical applications in the field of vibrational spectroscopy, bringing together young researchers and outstanding scientists to exchange cutting-edge ideas in this “vibrant” field.

Both the school and the conference will be held primarily at Collegio Cairoli, a public university college of merit founded in 1948 and located in the historic center of Pavia. The school, from February 2 to 4, 2026, will offer lectures and practical sessions to introduce students to the many aspects of predicting and studying the structure and dynamics of materials and how to use these tools in different fields. The school will be followed by the VISPEC conference, from February 4 to 6, 2026, which will bring together different perspectives and approaches on the various applications of vibrational spectroscopy: from biotechnology to cultural heritage, environmental sensing… and much more!