Combined photoluminescence and Raman microscopy for the identification of modern pigments: explanatory examples on cross-sections from Russian avant-garde paintings

Heritage Science

Table 5 Principal conventional techniques applied to the analysis of paint stratigraphy

Technique	Identifies	Lateral resolution	Sample preparation	Possible damages
SEM–EDX	Elements (Z > 10)	~ 100 nm	Metallization	Surface cleaning
ATR-FTIR	Organic and Inorganic compounds	1–10 μm	None	Indentation
Raman	Organic and Inorganic compounds	1–10 μm	None	None^a
Micro-TRPL	Luminescent compounds	1–10 μm	None	None^a

The main material identification, lateral resolution, sample preparation requirements and possible damages associated to the measurements are reported
^aRaman and PL applications do not cause any damages to the sample as long as the powder density is kept far below the damage threshold [39]