The Use of X–Ray Absorption Spectroscopy in Historical Glass Research

Abstract

This chapter is devoted to illustrate selected examples of application of X–ray Absorption Spectroscopy [XAS = XANES (X–Ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy) + EXAFS (Extended X–ray Absorption Fine Structure)] techniques to the study of ancient glass. XAS methods are non–invasive, very sensitive short–range probes, which can be applied in air and virtually do not require any restriction on the type and size of the sample. Hence, they are particularly suitable for the study of amorphous, diluted, precious materials. In particular, the chemical mapping capability of XAS, with high spatial resolution, provides unique information about local composition and chemical states, even for trace elements, in complex and heterogeneous glassy materials. XAS methods are largely applied to the study of the origin of color, which is usually obtained in glass by modulating the oxidation states of transition elements such as Mn, Fe, Co, and Cu. XAS can also be exploited to study the opacifiers used to confer different colors to opaque glass – as in mosaic tesserae or glass vessels and beads – and the alteration products of stained glass undergone to weathering phenomena. The detailed XAS studies on these findings contribute to understand how materials were produced, how they react to ageing and how they can be conserved.

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