ACQUISITION OF A NEW X-RAY MICRODIFFRACTION SYSTEM

哈氏X射线衍射法是鉴定和表征晶相的基本分析技术之一，对晶态固体的研究至关重要。但是，随着频率的增加，需要用衍射法分析的样品越来越少。相机技术一直是主流，但它很耗时，需要进行大量转换才能获得数字数据，而且正在变得过时。此外，它们和其他传统方法不能从不同物体表面的微观区域进行原位粉末衍射。最近，实验室衍射仪的发展结合了精细准直的点X射线光束、自动移动的样品夹持器和大型二维探测器，使得样品、胶片和时间问题得以解决。该项目涉及获得这样一种新的微衍射系统，供美国自然历史博物馆、拉蒙特-多尔蒂地球天文台/哥伦比亚大学和大都会艺术博物馆的科学家和保护人员以及该地区的其他潜在用户使用。新的显微衍射仪最初计划由十多名研究人员进行许多项目，从基础矿物学和材料研究到合作博物馆的文物和艺术品的详细保护研究。通常，将使用显微衍射系统来识别矿物、岩石和陨石收藏中的样品，以改善它们的特征和对科学界和普通公众的价值。这项研究的更广泛影响包括一所主要大学和两个研究博物馆的研究人员的互动和合作，学生、实习生和访问学者的参与和培训，加强对两个世界级博物馆的各种文物(包括标本、文物和艺术品)的了解，以及促进保护科学和技术的进步，为后代保护艺术和自然历史文物。

0418088HarlowX-ray diffraction is one of the fundamental analytical techniques for identifying and characterizing crystalline phases and is critical to research on crystalline solids. However, with increasing frequency the samples that need analysis with diffraction are small. Camera techniques, which have been a mainstay, are time consuming, require significant conversion to obtain digital data, and are becoming obsolete. Moreover, they and other traditional methods cannot perform in situ powder diffraction from microscopic areas on surfaces of diverse objects. Recently, the development of laboratory diffraction instruments combining a finely collimated point X-ray beam, sample holders with automated motion, and large two dimensional detectors permit solving the sample, film and time problems. This project involves acquiring such a new microdiffraction system for use by scientists and conservators at the American Museum of Natural History, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory/Columbia University and the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other potential users in the region. Numerous projects by more than ten investigators are planned initially for the new microdiffraction instrument, ranging from fundamental mineralogical and materials research to detailed conservation studies of artifacts and art from the collaborating museums. Routinely the microdiffraction system will be used to identify samples from the mineral, rock and meteorite collections to improve their characterization and value to the scientific community and general public. The broader impacts of this study include the interaction and collaboration of researchers at a major university and two research museums, involvement and training of students, interns and visiting scholars, enhanced understanding of objects of all kinds including specimens, artifacts, and art objects in two world-class museums, and advancement of conservation science and techniques for the preservation of art and natural history objects for posterity.***