Work

The Illusion of Structural Order: Evaluating the Suppression of Amorphous Carbon Black Pigment Bands in SSE‐Processed Handheld Raman Spectra

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Handheld Raman spectrometers equipped with a sequentially shifted excitation (SSE) system are increasingly employed in heritage science for the non‐invasive identification of carbon‐based pigments. However, the influence of SSE fluorescence‐correction algorithms on the spectral interpretation of carbonaceous materials remains poorly understood. This study compares a reference amorphous carbon black pigment with real‐case samples from Gerhard Richter's mural in Dresden and an interior architectural paint from the Waldsiedlung Zehlendorf Housing Estate, both measured using a micro‐Raman system and a handheld SSE‐Raman instrument. The results demonstrate that the SSE system efficiently mitigates fluorescence; however, it also biases the Raman response towards graphitic domains, thereby concealing amorphous carbon contributions that are critical for pigment type identification. The findings highlight the need for cautious interpretation of SSE‐processed Raman spectra to ensure accurate characterisation of carbon black pigments in heritage applications.

Source: Journal of Raman Spectroscopy

DOI: 10.1002/jrs.70121

Authors: Zeynep Alp, Christoph Herm

Institutions: Dresden Academy of Fine Arts, Technical University of Munich

Language: English

Topic: Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,020

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft