To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Learning outcomes

Aim of the course is to give the fundamental principles for the comprehension of the physical analytical and imaging techniques applied to noninvasive diagnostics of artworks

Program

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS

Physical values, measurement and uncertainty, systems of units of physical values.
Fundamental interactions.
Electric and magnetic fields.
Energy.
Oscillations and waves. Acoustic and electromagnetic waves.
Reflection, refraction, interference and diffraction.
Wave-particle duality. Concept of photon.
Thermal radiation and blackbody spectrum.
Introduction to the structure of matter. Quantization of energy levels.
Introduction to nuclear physics.
Electromagnetic spectrum and radiation-matter interaction

PHYSICAL TECHNIQUES FOR ARTWORK DIAGNOSTICS

General introduction to physical techniques for cultural heritage.
Optical Imaging: IR reflectography, UV fluorescence, multispectral techniques.
Thermography
Reflectance spectrometry.
FTIR and Raman spectroscopy.
X-ray fluorescence
Optical and electronic microscopy.
X-ray radiography and tomography.
Nuclear techniques: PIXE, PIGE, neutron activation autoradiography.
Optical techniques to measure shape and micro-deformations.
Dating techniques.
Microclimate analysis.

Examination Methods