Raman Spectroscopy Applied To Earth Sciences And Cultural Heritage

Spectroscopic methods such as Raman are used to investigate the structure and dynamics of matter. They are essential for the study of the different types of mineral or organic materials produced at the Earths surface or interior. As a result of technological improvements in gratings, detectors, filters and personal computers in the last decade, many micro-Raman spectrometers have become plug-and-play instruments, very easy to use and available at a lower cost than the early Raman microprobes. Thus, many laboratories in Earth Sciences and Cultural Heritage are equipped with these new spectrometers. Commercial, portable Raman spectrometers working in the field have also contributed to the spread of Raman spectroscopy. Poor levels of education in terms of Raman spectroscopy in undergraduate courses in Earth Sciences make it difficult for individuals to obtain information of the highest quality relevant to Earth sciences and Cultural Heritage. This volume is, therefore, timely. Four main topics are addressed: Theory; Methodology, including the instrumentation; Experimental aspects; and Application.

This book addresses the application of Raman spectroscopic techniques to a range of diverse problems which arise in the study, conservation and restoration of artefacts and sites closely related to our cultural heritage as well as in authentication. These themes are naturally wider than what at first might be considered as artworks and archaeological artefacts and the topics include pigments, paintings, ceramics, glass, sculpture and patination / corrosion, textiles, industrial archaeology, the degradation and preservation of biomaterials, mummies and human skeletal remains. An interesting feature is the inclusion of modern case studies which describe specific problems and approaches to the Raman spectral analysis of items important to our cultural heritage. The text is prefaced with an introduction to the important parameters used in nondestructive Raman measurements and also highlights some future applications based upon novel miniaturised instrumentation for in-field studies and potential screening work which will identify specimens which would repay further studies in the laboratory. An attempt is made to give a snapshot of the state-of-the-art evolution since the beginning of the technique (1970s) and to point out potential further development. The book is co-edited by three international experts with many years' experience in the application of Raman spectroscopy to artworks, archaeological artefacts and in the investigation of materials and sites for cultural heritage preservation and each editor has undertaken to write individual chapters and different topics personally. The adopted approach is designed to convey the sort of information which has become available from the adoption of analytical Raman spectroscopy to different problems in the field of cultural heritage preservation through the spectral interrogation of artefacts and how the interpretation of the spectral data can assist museum curators, archaeologists and cultural heritage historians in the preservation and conservation of ancient materials and sites : a particular advantage in this respect is the ability of Raman spectroscopy to determine –generally in a strictly noninvasive procedure - at the laboratory or on-site with mobile instruments, the presence of both organic and inorganic components in a particular specimen together nondestructively without any chemical and mechanical pretreatment being undertaken, which is an essential requirement for rare and valuable samples . An important aside from this work is the means of spectral identification of ongoing biodeterioration and biological colonisation in specimens in storage and the effects of environmental deterioration such as humidity and temperature upon their integrity.

Raman spectroscopy has a number of applications in various fields including material science, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and medicine. This book illustrates necessary insight and guidance in the field of Raman spectroscopy with detailed figures and explanations. This presents deep understanding of new techniques from basic introduction to the advance level for scientists and engineers. The chapters cover all major aspects of Raman spectroscopy and its application in material characterization with special emphasis on both the theoretical and experimental aspects. This book is aimed to provide solid foundation of Raman spectroscopy to the students, scientists, and engineers working in various fields as mentioned above.

Although the development of lead crystal was a major step in the history of glass in the late 17th century, the presence of lead in vitreous matrices (glass and glazes) is much older, dating back to the second millennium BCE. Lead in Glassy Materials in Cultural Heritage traces the history of these skills and also looks at the most recent developments in materials science concerning the role played by lead in the properties of glass, including coloring. It develops an understanding of weathering processes and notions of the durability of leaded glass. It also examines public health issues and current recommended standards for the use of lead in industrial glass. This multidisciplinary book is intended for a wide audience: art and technical historians, museum curators, restorers, materials specialists, manufacturers and engineers.

This book highlights recent developments in fiberglass research and technology development, including high-performance fiberglass chemistry; in-depth glass network structure information derived from the-state-of-the-art spectroscopic measurements, molecular dynamics simulations, and their correlations with properties; fiber surface chemistry in relation to sizing chemistry - a critical part of composite performance; fiber process stability; fundamental understanding of the batch-to-melt conversion processes and melt flow simulations; and environmental concerns such as energy efficiency and emission of volatile species, which are key to environmentally-friendly product manufacturing. The book aims to guide fiberglass researchers and manufacturers towards better awareness and, perhaps, provides potential options for global ecosystem management. More than 500 current references are included, which will enable researchers from fiber glass industry and research institution access to the most recent progress in fiberglass science and technology. Advances scientific understanding of fiberglass-forming processes, rising in popularity as a building material throughout the world; Describes the current advances in the structure and formation of fiber glass, beginning with chemistry, a wide range of characterizations, and processes, through to applications; Contains information on environmental aspects of fiberglass production, addressing energy consumption and emission.

Volume 87 of Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry covers fundamental aspects of the nature of silicate melts and the implications for the systems in which they participate, both technological and natural. The contents of this volume may perhaps best be summarized as structure – properties – dynamics. The volume contains syntheses of short and medium range order, structure-property relationships, and computation-based simulations of melt structure. It continues with analyses of the properties (mechanical, diffusive, thermochemical, redox, nucleation, rheological) of melts. The dynamic behavior of melts in magmatic and volcanic systems, is then treated in the context of their behavior in magma mixing, strain localization, frictional melting, magmatic fragmentation, and hot sintering. Finally, the non-magmatic, extraterrestrial and prehistoric roles of melt and glass are presented in their respective contexts.

The book is devoted to three types of laser-based spectroscopy of minerals, namely Laser-Induced Time-Resolved Luminescence, Laser-Induced Breakdown spectroscopy and Gated Raman Spectroscopy. This new edition presents the main new data, which have been received after the publication of the first edition ten years ago both by the authors and by other researchers. During this time, only the authors published more than 50 original papers devoted to laser-based spectroscopy of minerals. A lot of new data have been accumulated, both in fundamental and applied aspects, which are presented in new edition.

Advanced Spectroscopic Methods to Study Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics presents the latest emerging technologies in spectroscopy and advances in established spectroscopic methods. The book presents a guide to research methods in biomolecular spectroscopy, providing comprehensive coverage of developments in the spectroscopic techniques used to study protein structure and dynamics. Seventeen chapters from leading researchers cover key aspects of spectroscopic methods, with each chapter covering structure, folding, and dynamics. This title will help researchers keep up-to-date on the latest novel methods and advances in established methods. Presents current, emerging, and evolving advances and applications of spectroscopic techniques in the study of biomolecules, including proteins and nucleic acids Discusses contemporary spectroscopic techniques used to study biomolecular structure, interaction, and dynamics