The analytical techniques used by The Center of Art Materials Analysis for materials analysis are described below. Various combinations of these techniques are used to provide the most accurate answer to a materials analysis investigation.

Techniques

Polarized light microscopy is a powerful technique used in the analysis and identification of small samples composed of pigments, fibers, and minerals. Properties including color, size, refractive index, pleochroism, crystallinity, morphology, and birefringence reveal characteristics of a sample that are used to identify the materials present.

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Polarized Light Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy used in conjunction with an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDS) can provide high magnification imaging of a sample to show crystalline structure and it also provides elemental composition data for the sample.

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Scanning Electron Microscopy

FTIR Microspectroscopy is a technique that gives insight to the molecular components of a sample such as the medium of a painting, the polymer used in a modern sculpture, or the type of fiber used in a textile. The spectrum for a material, like the one shown above, gives us a fingerprint of a material that an analyst can use to identify the composition and state of a sample.

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Raman Microscopy

Raman microscopy is a complimentary technique to FTIR. In a Raman analysis, a low power laser is used to probe the sample and collect a spectrum. Raman spectra are particularly useful for identification of pigments, minerals, gems and inorganic materials.

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