PhotochemCAD spectra viewer for web-based visualization of absorption and fluorescence spectra

PhotochemCAD is a Microsoft Windows-based software program composed of spectral databases and program modules for diverse photochemical calculations and is aimed at addressing fundamental needs of the scientific community. Since initiation in the late 1980’s, ~1000 absorption/fluorescence spectra of ~500 organic compounds of interest across the wide photosciences field have been collected and are now available in PhotochemCAD 3. The spectra are accompanied by quantitative parameters (molar absorption coefficient, fluorescence quantum yield) where available and citations to the original source literature. Many web-based absorption/fluorescence spectra viewers are publicly accessible but are typically aimed at commercial sales by sponsoring companies. Here, a web-browser-based PhotochemCAD spectra viewer is described that enables overlay of spectra for comparative evaluation, can be used on any platform (Windows, Mac, Linux), and does not require downloading or installation of the program. The PhotochemCAD program, databases, and spectra viewer are accessible for free use at http://www.photochemcad.com.