[Studies on relics conservation by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy].

Abstract

A diffuse reflectance spectroscopic method was developed to investigate relics conservation with a self-made fiber optics reflectance spectrophotometer. With this technique (1) identifying pigments on the color relics was done by comparing the shapes of reflectance spectra and the positions of reflectance peaks or first derivative peaks with those of related standard pigments; (2) changes of surface states of metals were monitored. From the investigation on the reflectance spectra of copper and its rust product, we can easily get some information about the metal surface, so diffuse reflectance spectroscopy shows special function in the research on metal surface; (3) the diffuse reflectance spectroscopic characteristics of the materials used in protection and restoration of cultural heritages were studied, which can help us choose proper protecting and restoring materials. From our studies it was verified that diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is a quick, simple and non-destructive analytical technique. The study makes diffuse reflectance spectroscopy a new means for relic protection, and opens a new application area for diffuse reflectance spectroscopy as well.