There is a strong need within the research community to investigate the structure, properties, and functionality of materials in a non-destructive manner, regardless of whether the studied object belongs to cultural heritage (an archaeological artifact or a masterpiece, e.g., an icon) or a nanostructured thin film. Both types of objects must be preserved and protected from damage: the former is valuable for civilization, while the latter is important for the production of functional devices. The investigated samples may be unique, and once their structure and other properties, such as texture and morphology, are characterized, the same sample should remain ready for further treatment, processing, and eventual use. Cultural heritage objects, however, are irreplaceable and unique.
This lecture will focus on the non-destructive characterization of materials using X-rays and spectroscopic methods. The first part of the presentation will describe in detail the characterization of thin films, multilayer materials, and nanostructures using X-ray scattering techniques: X-ray reflectivity (XRR), high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD), grazing-incidence diffraction (GID), and grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS).
The second part of the presentation will illustrate the characterization of solid and powdered nanomaterials and artifacts using elemental analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), UV/Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, specific surface area analysis by nitrogen adsorption (BET, BJH), optical light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Examples of the application of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in the characterization of thin films with quantum dots will also be presented. Particular attention will be given to examples of complementary studies using X-ray and neutron computed tomography, especially in the investigation of cultural heritage materials.
Finally, the GreenHer Centre of Excellence for Green Heritage Science, an EU-funded Horizon Europe project, will be presented. The project brings together top experts (UCL – Institute for Sustainable Heritage, CNR-ISPC – Institute of Heritage Science) in the field of cultural heritage and leading institutions from the Republic of Slovenia with the aim of developing, following best practice examples, an institute dedicated to heritage science that would be unique in this part of Europe. Once developed, the GreenHer CoE will also serve the broader scientific and professional community through the European research and infrastructure platform for cultural heritage, E-RIHS.
Admission is free and registration is not required.