Application of the pair distribution function analysis for the study of cultural heritage materials

Publication date: Available online 31 July 2018Source: Comptes Rendus PhysiqueAuthor(s): Pierre BordetAbstractThe study of cultural heritage objects represents a challenge for materials sciences, because of their intrinsic complexity as well as because of their rare and precious nature, which requires the use of non-destructive methods. One of the major difficulties encountered by the methods of structural analysis of these materials is the presence of mixtures of crystallized and amorphous phases, the conventional methods of crystallography being poorly adapted to the latter. Here we present the Pair Distribution Function analysis method, which based on diffraction data, allows access to the identification, microstructural characterization and quantification of phases constituting a complex mixture, independently of their amorphous or crystalline character. Two recent examples will be presented to illustrate the use of this method in studies of cultural heritage materials.RésuméL'étude des objets du patrimoine culturel représente un défi pour la science des matériaux, de par leur complexité intrinsèque ainsi que par leur caractère rare et précieux, qui impose d'utiliser des méthodes non destructives. Une des difficultés majeures rencontrées par les méthodes d'analyse structurale de ces matériaux est la présence de mélanges de phases cristallisées et amorphes, les méthodes classiques de la cristallographie étant mal adaptées à ces dernières. Nous prése...

Source: Comptes Rendus Physique - July 31, 2018 Category: Physics Source Type: research