About us
Advancing the frontiers of imaging and spectroscopy for biosciences, environmental science, and advanced materials research.
Revolutionizing spectroscopy
Photothermal Spectroscopy Corp (PSC) has pioneered the breakthrough technique of O-PTIR (Optical Photothermal Infrared) technology that eliminates key limitations of traditional IR Spectroscopy providing submicron spatial resolution for IR and transmission-like FTIR quality spectra in non-contact reflection mode. PSC has developed the world’s first simultaneous Infrared and Raman microscope and imaging system, mIRage-LS, providing IR and Raman data from the exact same spot, at the same time, with the same submicron spatial resolution. PSC’s vision is to enable the power of IR spectroscopy to be applied to high value problems in industry and academia via the adoption of O-PTIR.
Management team
The Photothermal Spectroscopy Corp. founding team is made up of the world’s leading scientists in the field of submicron analysis, and senior business talent with experience in the scientific equipment industry. This combination of scientific and market knowledge enables Photothermal Spectroscopy Corp. to translate its revolutionary scientific expertise into the building of a profitable high growth business.
Dean Dawson
Dean has over two decades of experience growing high-tech markets. He helped pioneer photothermal AFM-IR at Anasys Instruments and later led product management at Bruker, where he helped launch the ICON-IR. Dean also held senior roles at Veeco Instruments and has been instrumental in advancing IR spectroscopy technologies in both startups and global firms. He holds a BS in Applied Physics and a Master’s in Engineering Management from UK universities.
Kevin Kjoller
Kevin is a leading expert in Scanning Probe Microscopy, with roots in Digital Instruments and Veeco Metrology. He led product and applications development before joining Anasys, where he helped develop nano thermal analysis and nanoIR technologies. At PSC, Kevin continues to drive innovation in submicron spectroscopy. He holds a BS in Physics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Craig Prater
Craig co-founded PSC after serving as CTO of Anasys Instruments. A pioneer in AFM and IR spectroscopy, he was named the first Technology Fellow at Veeco and has co-authored 140+ publications with over 10,000 citations. He’s led development of O-PTIR since 2017 and was awarded the 2023 Williams-Wright Award for industry contributions. Craig holds a PhD in Physics from UC Santa Barbara.
Roshan Shetty
Roshan co-founded PSC after leading Anasys Instruments, the company that introduced nanoscale IR spectroscopy to market. He previously served as Director of Strategic Alliances at Veeco, where he developed the successful QNM platform. He’s also held roles in investment banking and startups. Roshan holds an MBA from INSEAD, a Master’s in Optical Sciences from the University of Arizona, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from BITS Pilani.
Andrew Stuart
Andrew brings 25+ years of experience in scientific software development. He began as a research scientist and went on to lead software at Diffraction International and Anasys Instruments. He’s known for creating Durango, an open-data interferometry platform, and for building user-friendly, transparent software for advanced microscopy and spectroscopy systems. He holds a BS from Reed College and a Master’s in Physics from the University of Minnesota.
Scientific advisors
Professor Ji-Xin Cheng
Professor Cheng is universally regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts in the field of vibrational spectroscopic imaging. He is a co-inventor of the O-PTIR (Optical Photothermal Infrared) spectroscopy technique pioneered by Photothermal Spectroscopy Corp. He is also a co-inventor of the CARS (Coherent Anti-stokes Raman scattering) microscope which he invented together with Professor Sunny Xie of Harvard University.
Curtis A. Marcott, Ph.D
Curtis is a leading expert in vibrational spectroscopy and a Senior Partner at Light Light Solutions. He spent much of his career at Procter & Gamble and has held leadership roles in the Society for Applied Spectroscopy and FACSS. He has served on editorial boards for Applied Spectroscopy and Analytical Chemistry, and currently teaches at the University of Delaware and Miami University. A recipient of the Williams-Wright Award, Curtis earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota.
Our patents
Photothermal’s mIRage® products and underlying technologies are protected by a robust intellectual property portfolio, including more than 42 issued patents worldwide. These patents reflect years of scientific innovation and leadership in advancing Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy and multimodal chemical imaging.
Explore our products
stRAMos
Photothermal Stimulated Raman Microscope
Sub-300nm Photothermal Stimulated Raman Microscope. Powered by PhotoThermalSRS™
mIRage-HSi
Laser Scanning O-PTIR Microscope
Sub-500nm Laser Scanning O-PTIR Microscope for High-Speed Imaging. With co-located Fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy.
mIRage-LS
Highest resolution IR for life science research
The mIRage-LS addresses both life science applications and the broad application set of multiuser facilities where the most advanced vibrational spectroscopy needs are required.
mIRage
High speed, label free, chemical imaging
A new submicron IR, high-speed widefield chemical imaging mode for measurement of a wide range of labelled and auto fluorescent samples covering cellular, bacterial and tissue applications.
Need more information?
Discover how O-PTIR technology can elevate your research or help solve your toughest challenges. Our team are happy to assist and answer your questions.