Global cross-database search system for X-ray absorption spectra

While the importance of a systematic overview of scientific data and demands toward data integration are increasing, data capitalization and confidentiality are also emerging competitively. X-ray absorption spectroscopy has a strong tradition of data sharing, as cross-referencing data enhances the detailed understanding of the obtained spectra. While physically integrating databases in various formats is impractical, a system has been successfully developed that allows cross-searching among Japanese, USA and European databases in cyberspace. This achievement is made possible through the realization of `vocabulary unification' and `knowledge unification' on a global scale, implemented in publicly accessible endpoints. This paper provides a summary of the concepts of terminology, ontology and semantics for X-ray spectroscopy behind this system, and presents a pilot case study along with future directions for data integration in synchrotron radiation science.