Supported projects

Studying the photoluminescence properties of ancient materials provides valuable information for determining their composition and studying alteration processes. Photoluminescence is a highly sensitive technique that often complements other analytical methods used in heritage sciences. The PPSM and IPANEMA laboratories have therefore developed a research activity focusing on the luminescence properties of ancient materials, particularly historical paintings and fossil samples, which is highly original within the French heritage sciences community. This activity is currently based on the PPSM’s instrumentation and on prototypes of excitation emission imaging developed at IPANEMA. The ALUMMAP project aims to acquire a high-sensitivity spectrofluorometer to replace the PPSM’s current fluorometer, which has reached the end of its service life. The objective is to have a high-sensitivity fluorometer with a high-performance UV to near-IR detector that can discriminate between fluorescence and phosphorescence phenomena and allow both model samples (solutions, thin films) and real bulk samples to be analyzed using a fiber optic system. This instrument will enable, on the one hand, the precise analysis of complex samples containing multiple chromophores with multi-scale heterogeneities. On the other hand, it will enable the collection of excitation and emission calibrated data, which will in turn be used to calibrate the prototypes developed at IPANEMA.