2DCOS and I. Three decades of two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy

•30 year history of 2DCOS.•Perspective on the development from early days.•Key milestones and future directions.

Historical and personal accounts of the development of two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS) in the last 30 years are presented. 2DCOS originally started as a data sorting technique developed specifically for dynamic IR linear dichroism (DIRLD) spectra of polymers observed under a small amplitude sinusoidal strain. The concept was later generalized to provide a surprisingly versatile analytical tool to study many different types of samples under the influence of not only dynamic but also various static perturbations. Introduction of the efficient computational method based on discrete Hilbert transform and availability of software, as well as the comprehensive textbook in the field, have made the widespread and continuously growing use of 2DCOS technique possible. Evolution of the technique to incorporate new and variant forms of 2DCOS is also noted.

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