Analysis of Pigment Degradation Using AIRsight Infrared/Raman Microscope

User Benefits

- Using an AIRsight microscope enables the measurement of infrared and Raman spectra in the same location without moving the sample being measured. - That makes it ideal for measuring pigments that contain both organic and inorganic matter using a combination of infrared and Raman spectroscopy. - Because micro sample quantities can be measured, AIRsight microscopes are especially useful for measuring precious samples with historical value.

Introduction

Pigments have been used for all sorts of purposes since before the common era. Though inorganic pigments created from natural minerals are commonly used in paintings and murals in historical buildings, organic synthetic pigments are widely used today due to their availability in large quantities at lower prices. Identifying both ancient and modern pigments requires measuring both organic and inorganic substances, which can be accomplished by using a combination of infrared and Raman measurements and then interpolating between those results. The AIRsight infrared/Raman microscope is a new type of microscope that includes a Raman unit built into an infrared microscope. The AIRsight microscope enables the acquisition of both infrared and Raman spectra from the same spot with a single instrument, rather than the two instruments required previously and without having to move the sample. Furthermore, the ability to control both infrared and Raman measurements using the same AIMsolution software makes it extremely easy to operate. In the example described below, the AIRsight microscope is used to measure the infrared and Raman spectra from pigments used in ancient China and analyze their UV degradation.

November 16, 2022 GMT