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Microscopy for the Conservator of Art & Artifacts (1206), April 15–19, 2024 In-Person

Course schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Friday.
This course covers the core polarized light microscopy curriculum and methods of sampling, characterization, and identification of pigments, grounds, media, and fibers.
COURSE OUTLINE & SYLLABUS
Day 1
  • Optics, reflection, refraction, contrast, resolution, numerical aperture, refractive index, crystal morphology, and microchemical tests
  • Identification, function, adjustment, care, and cleaning of polarized light microscope components
  • Köhler illumination, micrometry, measuring particle size, fiber diameters, pigment particle size, and layer thickness
Day 2
Single polar crystal optics, refractive indices, methods of measurement, Becke line, pleochroism, and dispersion staining
Day 3
  • Crossed polar crystal optics, birefringence, compensators, Michel-Lévy chart, and sign of elongation and extinction
  • Fiber characteristics (vegetable, animal, and man-made)
Day 4
  • Sampling and mounting techniques, use of atlases and reference standards, and identification of pigments (particle shape, surface, cleavage, isotropy, anisotropy, refractive index, Becke line, color, pleochroism, birefringence, etc.)
  • Identification of media, surface coatings, and glue
  • Study of paintings, selection area, sampling and mounting techniques (cross sections and crushings), and characterization and identification
  • Microminiaturization and analytical procedures (ultramicrochemistry, micro solubility, micro density, micro refractive index, micro grinding, micro X-ray diffraction, particle-picking, and micro extraction)
Day 5
  • Photomicrography (illumination, selection, and preparation of sample, precise focusing, and exposure measurement and control)
  • Special methods (phase, interference, fluorescence, electron microscopes, microprobes, chromatography, emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and dating methods)
There is no prerequisite for this course, and it satisfies the same prerequisites as course 1201.
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