Scientific Rationale

The French and German Molecular Spectroscopy community is well recognized internationally for its expertise in both theoretical and experimental research, and benefits from extensive connections and international collaborations. This has favored interactions between individual groups using cutting-edge and specific high-resolution techniques. Resources and related expertise have been shared to tackle and solve complex problems in fundamental molecular physics and its applications in astrophysics, the environmental and life sciences, and even more in industry.

This workshop will share this wealth of experience with graduate students on a larger scale. We consider particularly important the establishment of new career opportunities for the numerous PhD students and postdocs working in the discipline. These students are mainly (but not only) working in fundamental research. New connections between fundamental and applied research are therefore of high interest for the young researchers as well as for the whole spectroscopy community. We will therefore unite experts at the forefront of our discipline to present their latest developments with those from the various applications fields of molecular spectroscopy. The latter will communicate on the specific needs and interests of theirs fields.

For example, in astrophysics, modern telescopes using highly advanced spectrometers are being built constantly, with ever-increasing performances. They are aiming to study the physical chemistry of astrophysical objects. This evolution is driven by the enthusiasm of the society to explore the Universe more and more deeply. In order to fully exploit the enormous quantities of available data and to interpret the astrophysical observations in depth, molecular spectroscopy has to be developed in parallel since the precision requirements on spectral data (frequency and intensity) are extremely challenging. This has led to the establishment of the flourishing field of “Laboratory Astrophysics”. Yet, it is our opinion that connections between spectroscopists and astronomers have to be improved continuously taking into account the most recent technological progress.

These developments are mirrored in the studies of Earth's atmosphere where ambitious space missions are undertaken to measure atmospheric mixing ratios of greenhouse gases and air pollutants such as ozone, NO_x and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), by means of remote sensing. In this context we mention the OCO-2 (orbiting carbon observatory), MERLIN (Methane Remote Sensing Lidar) and the IASI-NG (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer-next generation) missions. Spectroscopic in-situ measurements are aiming to understand the influence of free radicals and very low-concentration VOCs on air quality and, in the long term, on climate change. There is always demand for precise spectroscopic parameters beyond the limit of current knowledge.

The development of high-sensitivity, target-specific and rapid spectroscopic techniques adapted to trace gas detection is leading to multiple applications in life sciences, and is implemented in real-time surveillance of environments ranging from clean rooms to petrochemical industry installations or incineration plants. The molecular spectroscopy community is also clearly linked to progress in photonics, and the development of new laser sources.

The main goal of this workshop is to create long-lasting bridges between our future PhD degree holders in bio- chemical- geo- physics and the socio-economic world, so that they can navigate efficiently towards their post-university environment, and nurture a positive perception of fundamental science there. Another important objective is to enhance academia's awareness of specific problems and demands from the various application fields, and to allow industry to appreciate the specific strengths of the academic scientific community. New links forged between industry and Science will therefore be of strong mutual benefit.