Course on microscopy

The College of Microscopy of the McCrone Group is pleased to offer

    COM420: Microscopical Identification of Pigments for Art
    Conservation and Architectural Restoration Professionals
    25-29 September 2006

Founded in 1956 and located in Westmont, Illinois, The McCrone
Group, Inc. is internationally recognized as a world leader in
microscopy, microanalysis, materials characterization, and the
solving of tough materials problems. Today, The McCrone Group, Inc.
is regarded as "The Premier Microscopy Resource" and combines the
talents and skills of its staff in the areas of materials analysis,
instrument sales, and education.

The focus of this course is the identification of pigments using
polarized-light microscopy (PLM). A practical introduction to PLM
methods is taught using many examples from the world of pigments. A
more thorough treatment of PLM theory and principles is covered in
the Polarized-Light Microscopy course.

This course also introduces students to other analytical methods
used as confirmatory methods; these include microchemical methods,
elemental characterization using XRF or SEM/EDS, Raman, and infrared
spectroscopy. The students examine and sample paintings and
architectural artifacts, prepare specimens for analysis, perform PLM
analysis, and direct or perform further confirmatory analyses.
Methods for characterization of binding media and support canvas
materials are also discussed.

Course Outline

    1.  Basic principles of stereomicroscopy including coaxial,
        oblique, and ring light illumination techniques used for
        inspection and recording of paint samples. Students will use
        the Olympus SZX12 stereomicroscope

    2.  Examining and sampling paintings and architectural
        materials, specimen preparation for PLM, and other
        analytical techniques

    3.  Mechanical and optical microscope alignment for optimal
        illumination considerations and a micrometry exercise.
        Students will use the Olympus BX51 polarized-light
        microscope

    4.  Determination of particle morphology, color absorption, and
        other characteristics

    5.  The principles of plane-polarized light with hands-on
        exercises on how to perform refractive index measurements,
        observations of color, and pleochroism

    6.  The principles of crossed-polarized light with hands-on
        exercises determining isotropic vs. anisotropic,
        birefringence using the Michel-Levy Interference Color
        Chart, and qualitative extinction positions of particles

    7.  Survey of artist's pigments

    8.  Introduction to canvas fiber analysis

    9.  Sampling architectural materials

    10. Confirmatory methods: microchemical tests, EDS, FTIR, and
        Raman

What You Will Learn:

    How to sample paintings and architectural materials
    How to identify artist's pigments
    Polarized light microscopy (Olympus BX51 microscopes and SZX12
    stereomicroscopes)
    Canvas fiber analysis

Who Should Enroll: Everyone with the need for problem solving using
polarized light microscopy

Student Learning Resources :

    Detailed course manual including John Gustav Delly's new book
    Essentials of Polarized Light Microscopy
    Olympus BX51 microscope for each student
    Olympus SZX12 stereomicroscopes for each student

Suggested Prerequisites :

    Familiarity with paints and pigments
    Familiarity with polarized light microscopy concepts is helpful

The cost if $1850.00  and each student will receive 3.5 continuing
education units upon successfully completion.

For more information about this and other courses visit

    <URL:http://www.mccrone.com>

or

    <URL:http://www.collegeofmicroscopy.com>

Joseph R. Swider, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
McCrone Associates, Inc.
850 Pasquinelli Dr.
Westmont, IL 60559-5539
630-887-7100
Fax: 630-887-7417


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:7
                   Distributed: Monday, July 31, 2006
                        Message Id: cdl-20-7-011
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