Newly introduced/updated instruments at the Center for Conservation Science in FY2025
In fiscal year 2025, the Center for Conservation Science acquired a new “ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared spectrophotometer” and a “large-scale vacuum freeze dryer,” and updated its “micro-infrared spectrophotometer” (Fig. 1). This section introduces these instruments.
UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometer.
When light is irradiated on a sample, the absorption profile (spectrum) of the light changes depending on the sample’s molecular structure. This instrument analyzes the structure and concentration of a substance based on these changes. In the cultural heritage field, it is particularly widely used for the quantification of color. It comes equipped with a large integrating sphere and a fiber-optic external integrating sphere, enabling the analysis of a wide variety of samples.
Micro-Infrared Spectrophotometer (Updated)
The infrared spectrophotometer is the most frequently used analytical instrument at the Center for Conservation Science and Research, particularly for the structural analysis of organic materials. For example, when analyzing the type of adhesive used to bond paper, the type of fibers in textile products, or contaminants adhering to cultural properties, infrared spectroscopic analysis is often the first step. In addition to standard infrared spectroscopy, the instrument is capable of micro-infrared spectroscopy, enabling the analysis of extremely small artifacts measuring on the scale of a few micrometers (Fig. 2).
Large-Scale Vacuum Freeze Dryer
Vacuum freeze-drying (freeze-drying) is a process by which artifacts are dried with minimal deformation by sublimating frozen water under a vacuum. It enables the efficient and safe drying of documentary materials that have become wet due to water damage or other causes. The large-scale vacuum freeze-dryer recently introduced to our laboratory can process a large volume of disaster-affected materials at once, and is expected to be used in the field of cultural property disaster prevention.
We will continue to advance cultural property analysis using these devices.
A.UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer
B.Micro-infrared spectrophotometer (updated)
C.Large-scale vacuum freeze dryer
Results of mapping a section of a multi-fiber interwoven fabric compliant with JIS L 0803. In this area, the warp consists of PET fibers and the weft of rayon, acrylic, and silk, yet the mapping is clear. This analysis was performed using reflectance analysis. While such analysis was difficult with the previous equipment before the upgrade, advances in the instrument have made non-contact, non-destructive analysis possible, which is extremely beneficial in the field of cultural heritage.