Vibrational spectroscopy is a cornerstone of conservation science, offering powerful, non-destructive or minimally destructive ways to characterize cultural heritage materials. Outlining the basic principles of vibrational spectroscopy supported by illustrative case studies, this webinar is geared towards students, researchers, conservators, and allied professionals seeking a theoretical introduction or a practical refresher grounded in real-world experience.
The session will place vibrational spectroscopy in context among other analytical techniques, highlighting what kinds of questions it can answer and what types of materials can be analyzed. We will explore the fundamentals of vibrational spectroscopy, with a focused comparison of Raman spectroscopy and FTIR—how they work, how they differ, and when each technique is most effective.
Through accessible case studies, participants will see how these methods are commonly applied, as well as examples where Raman and FTIR complement one another or, in some cases, provide essentially the same information. Topics will include organic material characterization (where FTIR often excels), pigment identification (such as iron oxides, vermilion, zinc white, ultramarine, Prussian blue, lead white, and chrome yellows and oranges), and the analysis of paint fillers and plasters like gypsum and lime/whiting. The webinar will also highlight unexpected and creative ways these techniques have been applied to solve analytical problems.
The lecture will be followed by an extended Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions specific to their materials, workflows, or research challenges.
You’ll learn:
- What vibrational spectroscopy can tell you and where it fits among analytical tools
- Key differences and overlaps between Raman and FTIR
- Typical and unexpected use cases for both techniques
- Which materials are best suited to analysis by Raman, FTIR, or both
- The types of data you can obtain from vibrational spectra and how to interpret them
This is the first in a series of three lectures. Raman and FTIR spectroscopies will be explored in greater depth in two following webinars (Tuesday, April 14, 1-2:30pm and Thursday, May 14, 1-2:30pm) leading up to the Infrared and Raman User’s Group (IRUG) conference at the Winterthur Museum, October 6-9, 2026. All three webinars will be recorded and available to registered participants through AIC's Learning Site.
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