RS – Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Near-Infrared (NIR) Reflectance Spectrometer (RS), NIR-RS in the range 930-1690 nm.
This technique involves measuring the reflectance of near-infrared light from a surface, providing valuable information about the composition and structure of the materials being examined.
Visit our NIR-RS webpage to check our equipment, download our free spectra database and watch our tutorials https://chsopensource.org/near-infrared-reflectance-spectrometer/

Advantages of Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy
1. Non-Destructive: One of the most significant advantages of NIR-RS is that it is non-destructive, meaning that it does not harm the artwork. This is essential for preserving the integrity of valuable and often irreplaceable pieces.
2. In Situ Analysis: NIR-RS can be performed on-site without the need to remove samples from the artwork. Portable NIR-RS instruments allow for analysis in museums, galleries, and other locations where the artworks are displayed or stored.
3. Rapid and Efficient: The technique provides rapid results, allowing for the quick analysis of multiple areas of an artwork. This efficiency is beneficial in large-scale surveys or when time-sensitive decisions are needed in conservation.
4. Complementary Technique: NIR-RS can be used alongside other analytical techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy to provide a comprehensive understanding of an artwork’s composition and structure.

This lesson covers the use of the reflectance spectrometer in the Near Infrared (NIR) region and its applications for pigment identification.


Case Studies

In this video, we identify azurite on an antiphonary parchment  (16th century).

 

This video demonstrates the NIR-RS analysis of a blue watercolor wash from a Winsor & Newton color chart book, dated 1912.