Workshop 4: Cultural Heritage Secrets Unveiled with Synchrotron Radiation

Date: Monday, May 18, 2009

Organizer(s): Louise Siddons (Michigan State University), siddons@msu.edu; Peter Siddons (BNL-NSLS), siddons@bnl.gov; Vivian Stojanoff (BNL-NSLS), stojanof@bnl.gov; Cecilia Sanchez-Hanke (BNL-NSLS), hanke@bnl.gov

Location: Chemistry Bldg. 555, Hamilton Seminar Room

Description: There is an increased interest in the study of objects that are part of our cultural heritage, such as paintings, ceramics, books, sculptures and utensils to name but a few, and to unveil the secrets that lie within them such as their origin, history, manufacturing processes or even the authenticity of these objects. Many times , even finding these unique objects constitutes a challenge in itself, requiring excavations in remote places under extreme and difficult conditions. It is in general desirable to use for such studies non-destructive experimental techniques that preserve the “real character” of the objects, without contaminating or damaging them in ways that could lead to errors in the conclusions of future studies. Synchrotron radiation is an excellent tool that covers a very wide range of wavelengths, from infrared up to x-rays. It offers many well-established experimental techniques capable of providing elemental analysis, internal structural analysis and even in some cases atomic structure analysis. It can allow non-destructive imaging of the surfaces and also 3D structural information of the artifacts, since x-rays can penetrate through the materials without leaving a trace of the investigation process. It is the purpose of the workshop to show a wide spectrum of different techniques that have been applied to artistically interesting artifacts, and that have lead to a better understanding of some aspect of the objects in question. The workshop intent is to attract to NSLS a potentially large group of users with an interest in investigating the large diversity of objects potentially important to our “cultural heritage”. At the same time the workshop will be a great “shop window” for other scientific directions to show the large and divers possibilities that synchrotron radiation offers.