MRI-R2: Acquisition of a Mapping micro-XRF Spectrometer for Art and Cultural Heritage Materials Research and Education

Getty保护机构获得用于艺术和文化遗产材料研究和教育的测绘微型xrf光谱仪技术摘要：该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。对艺术作品和其他文化遗产材料的科学研究，提供了对过去文化的洞察，提供了重新发现历史技术的手段，并提高了我们为子孙后代保存珍贵物品的能力。该仪器拨款将支持购置一台具有高空间分辨率、线和面积元素测绘能力的微x射线荧光光谱仪，以及用于增强低z元素探测的氦净化。该仪器是为艺术品的现场检查而设计的，它将补充和增强盖蒂保护研究所（GCI）藏品研究实验室现有的分析能力，用于研究艺术品材料的组成、结构和行为。具体来说，所提议的仪器的增加将1)扩大艺术作品的范围，可以通过使用微焦点x射线光学来研究包括不均匀或精细细节的物体；2)通过加强对低z元素的检测，协助发现与材料历史生产有关的基本现象；3)通过生成空间分解的元素信息开辟新的研究领域。该仪器的便携性将促进GCI与其他博物馆和文化遗产机构之间的合作研究；此外，与加州大学洛杉矶分校的合作将为博士后研究员、实习生和研究生/本科生提供教育和培训机会。该仪器的基础研究将有可能影响化学家和材料科学家的工作，以及艺术史、考古学和艺术保护等相关学科的专业人员。此外，将研究结果纳入博物馆画廊展览、展览出版物和公开讲座将有助于提高公众对科学的认识和兴趣。概要：本奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。艺术品和其他文化遗产的保存之所以重要，不仅是因为它们的内在美和/或历史意义，还因为这些物品包含了创造它们的人、社会和技术的物证。科学的分析可以揭示这些证据，这可能会改变我们对艺术的理解、解释和关怀。由于这些物体的珍贵性质，通常不允许从中提取样本进行分析，因此尽可能采用非侵入性技术。x射线荧光（XRF）就是这样一种非侵入性技术。用一束细细的x射线来分析一件艺术品上的一小块区域，XRF可以识别出存在的单个元素，例如，可以从中推断出用于给油漆上色的特定颜料。XRF在研究艺术品方面已经成功应用了很多年，但直到现在，它的使用仅限于检查至少四分之一英寸宽的区域。所提出的仪器-测绘微型XRF光谱仪-是XRF技术的最新发展。该仪器能够在微观尺度上进行探测，还能够在表面上光栅化x射线束，生成显示每个元素位置的地图。例如，用于绘制手稿照明中经常发现的微小面部的单个特征的颜料可以使用该仪器进行表征。这些功能将大大提高盖蒂保护研究所收藏研究实验室科学家的能力，帮助他们了解艺术家的材料和方法，并协助艺术保护人员制定保护策略。此外，由于这种仪器是便携式的，它可以被带到当地的文化遗产机构和大学进行研究和培训学生。此外，使用该仪器产生的结果将被纳入博物馆画廊展示，展览出版物和公共讲座将展示科学如何增加我们对艺术的理解，欣赏和享受。

0958786TrentelmanThe Getty Conservation InstitutionAcquisition of a Mapping micro-XRF Spectrometer for Art and Cultural Heritage Materials Research and EducationTechnical Summary: This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The scientific study of works of art and other cultural heritage materials offers insight into past cultures, provides a means to rediscover historic technologies, and improves our ability to preserve precious objects for future generations. Funds from this instrumentation grant will support the acquisition of a micro-X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer with high spatial resolution, line and area element mapping capabilities, and helium purging to enhance the detection of low-Z elements. Designed for the in situ examination of works of art, this instrument will complement and enhance existing analytical capabilities of the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) Collections Research Laboratory for conducting research into the composition, structure, and behavior of the materials comprising works of art. Specifically, the addition of the proposed instrument will 1) expand the scope of works of art which can be studied to include inhomogeneous or finely detailed objects through the use of micro-focus X-ray optics; 2) assist in the discovery of fundamental phenomena relating to the historic production of materials through the enhanced detection of low-Z elements; and 3) open new areas of research through the generation of spatially resolved elemental information. The portability of the instrument will facilitate collaborative research between the GCI and other museums and cultural heritage institutions; in addition, collaboration with UCLA will provide education and training opportunities for post-doctoral fellows, interns, and graduate/undergraduate students. The fundamental research that this instrument will allow has the potential to impact the work of chemists and material scientists, as well as professionals in the related disciplines of art history, archaeology, and art conservation. Furthermore, the inclusion of results in museum gallery displays, exhibition publications and public lectures will serve to increase public awareness of - and interest in - science. Layman Summary: This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The preservation of works of art and other cultural heritage artifacts is important not only because of their intrinsic beauty and/or historical significance, but also because these objects contain material evidence about the people, societies, and technologies that created them. Scientific analysis can uncover this evidence, which may change how we understand, interpret and care for art. Because of the precious nature of these objects, removing samples from them for analysis is usually not permitted, and so non-invasive techniques are employed whenever possible. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is one such non-invasive technique. Using a thin beam of X-rays to analyze a small area on a work of art, XRF can identify the individual elements present, from which, for example, the specific pigment used to color a paint may be deduced. XRF has been employed successfully for many years in the study of works of art, but until now its use has been limited to the examination of areas at least a quarter inch across. The proposed instrument - a mapping micro-XRF spectrometer - is the latest development in XRF technology. Capable of probing on a microscopic scale, this instrument is also able to raster the X-ray beam over a surface, generating maps showing the locations of each element. For example, the pigments used to paint individual features in the tiny faces frequently found in manuscript illuminations can be characterized using this instrument. These capabilities will significantly enhance the ability of scientists in the Getty Conservation Institute Collections Research Laboratory to contribute to an understanding of artist's materials and methods, and assist art conservators in developing preservation strategies. Furthermore, because the instrument is portable, it can be taken to local cultural heritage institutions and universities for research and the training of students. In addition, results generated using this instrument will be incorporated into museum gallery displays, exhibition publications and public lectures will demonstrate how science can increase our understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of art.