INTRODUCTION

It is with great pleasure to be the host of the Colloquium Spectroscopicum Internationale XXXVII to be held in Brazil from August 28th to September the 2nd 2011. We are proud to be hosting this prestigious event for the first time in South America on its 60 year long career.

Since its first meeting in France in 1949, the CSI has been a forum where scientists involved in all aspects of Spectroscopy and Spectrometry meet to share experiences, discuss results and applications and present new ideas and we invite you all to come to Brazil to maintain the tradition of previous conferences in a stimulating atmosphere and a original setting.

As a tribute to those who are part of the CSI successful history, a series of interviews will be posted on this page. We have the pleasure to present the first one, with Professor Hubertus Nickel, Chairman of the XXIX, held in Leipzig, Germany in 1995:

Interview with Univ.-Prof. em., Dr. Dr.h.c. Hubertus Nickel

1) Dear Professor Nickel, it is a pleasure to have you at the xxxvii csi website. By the way, since when and how often have you been attending the CSI?

I was worldwide attending Colloquium Spectroscopicum Internationale (CSI) twenty six times since CSI IX 1961 in Lyon/France. Germany hosted CSI four times in Münster (1953), Heidelberg (1971), Garmisch-Partenkirchen (1985) and Leipzig (1995). At CSI XXIX in Leipzig I acted as chairman of this symposium.

2) Please, tell us about the stories that resulted in the creation of the CSI, already in 1949?

The conference series Colloquium Spectroscopicum Internationale (CSI) began in 1950 in Strasbourg, France. In 1949, a few years after World War II, well-known spectroscopists (especially Drs Loeuille / France; Kaiser, Mecke and Seith / Germany; Masi / Italy; Menzies / Great Britain; father Junkes / Specola Vaticana) decided to hold an international colloquium. The aim of this symposium was to bring together physicists and chemists from universities and research institutions with industry analysts active in all fields of analytical spectroscopy. The discussion should be focussed on results of basic research and method development as well as from daily practice in the entire field of optical spectroscopy. Since that time, the CSI is held usually every two years in a different country all over the world.

3) In your opinion, what was the influence of the CSI on the development of Spectroscopy?

The symposia were a regular forum in which representatives from different directions of optical spectroscopy got in touch. From such contacts arose scientific collaborations over many years, which significantly influenced the progress in this area. From personal experience I know that these personal contacts, not only promoted the exchange of experiences, but also created new ideas. So, new developments in spectroscopic research and its implementation in application were achieved. From personal contacts of scientists and users were not only built friendships, but also many research projects with many years of fruitful cooperation.

4) Which were the principal breakthroughs that you have witnessed in the CSI's that you have attended?

A principal breakthrough that have witnessed myself in the CSI's cannot tie: From the beginning to date CSI shows that each symposium was dedicated to the actual "state-of-the-art" in spectroscopy. In the first decade, the focus was on development of sensitive, accurate and fast methods for quantitative element analysis as in steel industry with arc and spark spectral analysis, glow discharge and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. In addition, CSI has supported development and application of atomic absorption spectrometry. This was followed by the inductively coupled plasma as atomization method, the extension from optical to mass spectroscopy [ICP-MS], the introduction of laser as the evaporation as well as excitation source with high power density for refractory materials and to the development of modern surface analytical methods for the micro-and nanoelectronics. Ongoing developments in spectroscopy allow in-situ studies and understanding of complex reaction mechanisms in materials and at interfaces. Today's spectroscopic methods allow identification of individual atoms, atomic clusters, and organic molecules and their structures.

As an example I would mention the latest development the 'NanoXAS micro-spectroscope' combining X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and scanning probe microscopy. This spectroscopic system was created in co-operation of the Swiss Paul Scherrer Institute with German universities in Erlangen and Berlin. With the help of a NanoXAS micro-spectroscope the chemistry of a surface can be mapped more accurate than ever before, because the combination of the two methods allows for the first time to determine simultaneously, where the atoms are and which chemical element it is. This provides a snapshot of structure and composition of materials at the atomic level. The topics of CSI XXXVI, 2009 in Budapest / Hungary reflect current developments in the very broad field of analytical spectroscopy. In this symposium, the following topics were dealt with her level of performance, results and future prospect:

• Photo-acoustic and Fluorescence Molecular Spectrometry;
• X-ray and Nuclear Techniques;
• Separation and Speciation;
• Organic and Bio-organic Vibrational Spectroscopy,
• Inorganic Vibrational Spectroscopy;
• Plasma Spectroscopy;
• Glow Discharge Spectrometry;
• Laser Spectroscopy;
• Atomic Absorption Spectrometry;
• Solid Sampling Spectrometry;
• Chemometrics;
• Sampling Preparation;
• Mechanistic and fundamental aspects in the generation of volatile species for trace element determination.

5) How do you foresee the future of spectroscopy?

The above examples point to the issues covered in the field of analytical spectroscopy. Today's national and international research projects include successful development of advanced materials for micro/nanotechnology, energy technology or pharmacy which are not feasible without modern spectroscopic methods. The same goes for life sciences, biochemistry and environment. Here new ideas of scientists and users active in the entire field of spectroscopy are required worldwide.

6) Do you have any other comment you want to add to our interview?

After more than 40 years of own experience, especially in development and characterization of advanced materials for nuclear technology and energy production from fossil fuels, I know about the importance of spectroscopic methods in instrumental analysis for a sustainable solution of current energy problems. A fruitful development of spectroscopy in the future can only succeed with motivated, dedicated, young scientists from various disciplines. My petition sounds: We must interest and promote budding scientists for our promising and attractive area of research interest. The invitation to participate in the Colloquium Spectroscopicum Internationale by awarding grants to young scientists-is such an important contribution!