Infrared & Raman Users Group

IRUG is a community that encourages the sharing of high quality comparative reference spectral data.

We develop IR and Raman reference spectra for the study of works of art, architecture, and archaeological materials. Our database is peer-reviewed through a rigorous process facilitated by this website.

Anyone may search the database to view and print spectra. To access digital spectra and related information, you must join IRUG and contribute spectra. Click the button below to begin registration when you are ready to contribute spectra.

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Featured Spectra

Infrared & Raman Users Group 16th International Conference (IRUG16) & Workshop: Registration Is Open!!!

Dates: Conference 7-9 October 2026; Pre-Conference Optional Workshop 6 October 2026

Location & Host Institution: Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, Delaware, US

Organizers: Rosie Grayburn and Catherine Matsen

View conference fees & register:

https://www.winterthur.org/irug16

Registration deadlines:

Early‑bird registration: June 30, 2026

Workshop application: July 1, 2026

Final registration: September 22, 2026

Apply for Workshop on Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (rFTIR):

https://www.winterthur.org/irug16/

Keynote Address: Spectroscopy as Cultural Heritage

Dr. Roger Turner, Curator of Instruments and Artifacts, Science History Institute, Museum & Library, Philadelphia, PA, will deliver keynote.

Conference Program:

Schedule of oral and poster presentations forthcoming.

Location, Travel & Accommodations:

https://www.winterthur.org/irug16

Questions or Inquiries:

Please contact IRUG16 organizers, Rosie Grayburn and Catherine Matsen, at irug16@winterthur.org.

We look forward to seeing you at IRUG16!

View from East Terrace, Henry Francis du Pont Mansion, Winterthur, Delaware, US

Photo by Bob Leitch, courtesy of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library.
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We are pleased to share highlights from the IRUG15 Conference & Workshop.

Date: 26-29 September 2023

Location: Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo, Japan

Hosted by the Conservation Science Laboratory at the Tokyo University of the Arts (Geidai) and the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (Tobunken), and organized by Boris Pretzel and Masahiko Tsukada, the conference was a resounding success! Presentations took place at Tobunken, and the workshop on reflectance infrared techniques was led by Dr. Marcello Picollo (IFAC, Italy), with additional instruction from Dr. Suzan de Groot (RCE, The Netherlands) and Professor Manfred Schreiner (Akbild, Austria).

Dr. James A. de Haseth, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, University of Georgia, US, delivered the keynote address on the theory and challenges of reflectance mode infrared spectroscopies. We are grateful for the generous support provided by Thermo Fisher Scientific, our Silver-level sponsor, as well as our Bronze-level sponsors: Bruker, Nanophoton, PhotoThermal/Nihon Thermal Consulting, Shimadzu, and ST Japan.

Support provided by: