Artifacts made of cellulose, such as ancient documents, pose a significant experimental challenge in the terahertz transmission spectra interpretation due to their small optical thickness. In this paper, we describe a method to recover the complex refractive index of cellulose fibers from the terahertz transmission data obtained on single freely standing paper sheets in the (0.2–3.5)-THz range. By using our technique, we eliminate Fabry-Perot effects and recover the absorption coefficient of the cellulose fibers. The obtained terahertz absorption spectra are explained in terms of absorption peaks of the cellulose crystalline phase superimposed to a background contribution due to a disordered hydrogen-bond network. The comparison between the experimental spectra with terahertz vibrational properties simulated by density-functional-theory calculations confirms this interpretation. In addition, evident changes in the terahertz absorption spectra are produced by natural and artificial aging on paper samples, whose final stage is characterized by a spectral profile with only two peaks at about 2.1 and 3.1 THz. These results can be used to provide a quantitative assessment of the state of preservation of cellulose artifacts.

Peccianti, M., Fastampa, R., Mosca Conte, A., Pulci, O., Violante, C., Lojewska, J., et al. (2017). Terahertz Absorption by Cellulose: Application to Ancient Paper Artifacts. PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED, 7(6) [10.1103/PhysRevApplied.7.064019].

Terahertz Absorption by Cellulose: Application to Ancient Paper Artifacts

Mosca Conte A.;Pulci O.;Clerici M.;
2017-01-01

Abstract

Artifacts made of cellulose, such as ancient documents, pose a significant experimental challenge in the terahertz transmission spectra interpretation due to their small optical thickness. In this paper, we describe a method to recover the complex refractive index of cellulose fibers from the terahertz transmission data obtained on single freely standing paper sheets in the (0.2–3.5)-THz range. By using our technique, we eliminate Fabry-Perot effects and recover the absorption coefficient of the cellulose fibers. The obtained terahertz absorption spectra are explained in terms of absorption peaks of the cellulose crystalline phase superimposed to a background contribution due to a disordered hydrogen-bond network. The comparison between the experimental spectra with terahertz vibrational properties simulated by density-functional-theory calculations confirms this interpretation. In addition, evident changes in the terahertz absorption spectra are produced by natural and artificial aging on paper samples, whose final stage is characterized by a spectral profile with only two peaks at about 2.1 and 3.1 THz. These results can be used to provide a quantitative assessment of the state of preservation of cellulose artifacts.
2017
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore FIS/03 - FISICA DELLA MATERIA
English
Peccianti, M., Fastampa, R., Mosca Conte, A., Pulci, O., Violante, C., Lojewska, J., et al. (2017). Terahertz Absorption by Cellulose: Application to Ancient Paper Artifacts. PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED, 7(6) [10.1103/PhysRevApplied.7.064019].
Peccianti, M; Fastampa, R; Mosca Conte, A; Pulci, O; Violante, C; Lojewska, J; Clerici, M; Morandotti, R; Missori, M
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/198789
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