Purchase of an FTIR Microscope for Analysis of Archaeological Materials

为满足波士顿大学考古、化学和地球科学系研究人员的需求，申请傅里叶变换红外（FTIR）显微镜-光谱仪系统的资助。该仪器将用于获得非常小（约100微克）样品的完整光谱，并分析宏观样品中非常小（_10微米）的特征。FTIR显微光谱仪的具体应用将包括分析聚合物嵌入的沉积物（例如洞穴），以寻找史前人类居住的证据，分析绘画中的颜料和粘合材料，以及目前在中国遗址发现的考古物品；以及检测高压下火山岩中的挥发性物质（HZO和CO’），以便更好地了解火山岩浆的爆炸性和其他特性。地质和油漆颜料应用利用现有技术；考古应用是新颖的。FTIR微谱仪是一种强大的仪器，教职员工和学生都可以使用，因此将对我们的研究和培训计划产生重大影响。它将促进新的领域的研究，并加强波士顿大学考古学和材料分析的核心项目的发展，此外还有助于对史前人类行为的理解，人类文化文物的记录和保护。

Goldberg0083555Funding is requested for a Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) microscope-spectrometer system to serve the needs of investigators in the Departments of Archeology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences at Boston University. This instrument will be used to obtain complete spectra on very small (ca. 100-microgram) samples and to analyze very small (_10-micron) features in macroscopic samples.Specific applications of the FTIR microspectrometer will include the analysis of polymer-embedded sediments (e.g., from caves) for evidence of prehistoric human occupation, of paint pigments and binding materials from paintings, of archeological objects currently being uncovered at sites in China; and the detection of volatile substances (HZO and CO') trapped under high pressure in volcanic rocks, in order to better understand the explosivity and other properties of magma in volcanoes. Geological and paint pigment applications exploit existing techniques; the archeological applications are novel.The FTIR microspectrometer is a robust instrument which can be used by faculty and students alike and therefore will have a significant impact on both our research and training programs. It will promote new areas research and strengthen developing core programs in archeology and materials analysis at Boston University, besides contributing to the understanding of prehistoric human behavior, the documentation and conservation of human cultural artifacts.