Editorial: Raman Spectroscopy More Topical Than Ever—Insights From ICORS 2024

It has been nearly a century since the discovery of the Raman effect, and yet its impact on science, technology, and also society continues to grow at an impressive pace. The 28th International Conference on Raman Spectroscopy (ICORS 2024), held in the historic city of Rome, served as a vibrant testament to the continued evolution and interdisciplinary reach of Raman spectroscopy. From fundamental advances in physics and chemistry to innovative applications in biomedicine, materials science, cultural heritage, and even planetary exploration, the field is more topical and relevant than ever. The present Special Issue of the Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, entitled “Raman spectroscopy more topical than ever: From physics, chemistry via biomedicine, life science, pharmacy towards mineralogy, arts and even space,” compiles selected contributions from ICORS 2024 participants and reflects the rich diversity and innovation showcased during the conference. With over 19 contributions from leading academic institutions, research centers, and industrial partners worldwide, the issue presents cutting-edge research on experimental and theoretical developments across all major branches of Raman spectroscopy, including resonance Raman, SERS, CARS, SRS, timedomain Raman, and computational approaches. To provide clarity and thematic orientation, the contributions in this issue are grouped and briefly introduced below.