Neolithic ceramic findings from western Sicily. Chemical – physical and mineralogical characterization

This paper presents the results of a study that is part of a wider research program regarding the knowledge of the initial living phases of Sicilian agricultural and pastoral societies.Three ceramic samples attributed to the medium initial Neolithic (NEO1 and NEO2) and to the first neolithic (NEO3), recovered in two different archaeological sites of the western Sicily, have been analysed. Chemical, mineralogical and spectroscopic data point out a similarity between NEO1 and NEO3 samples; compositional and morphological differences instead have been observed in the NEO2 sample. The firing temperatures of the samples have been estimated by Mössbauer spectroscopy; they are lower than 500°C for…

An Iranian booklet: non destructive examination by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Diffractometry and Micro-Raman Spectroscopy

Energy Dispersive X-Ray Diffractometry was used in combination with micro-Raman Spectroscopy to study an undated illuminated Iranian booklet. In both cases, no preliminary preparation of the samples was needed: the data were acquired in a non-destructive way in a natural environment. The book is of particular interest because of the unusual presence of miniatures on some pages. The two techniques were used to collect data from small areas of the pages and in different regions of the miniature in order to identify inks and pigments and to attempt chronological assignment. Raman spectra were affected by strong background fluorescence. In spite of this, different peaks were detected and identi…

Miniatures of Iranian booklet: in situ examination with Micro-Raman Spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Diffractometry

Quasi-elastic light scattering in polymer-containing microemulsion

Abstract Quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS) was performed in dilute water in oil microemulsion stabilized by AOT surfactant. The water-soluble polyethylene oxide (PEO) with low molecular weight (8000) added to the microemulsion seems to be confined within the aqueous microphase, since PEO is insoluble in oil (n-heptane). The measurements by QELS of diffusion coefficient, at dilute concentrations, allow determination of the size of the droplets. The phase diagram of the microemulsion undergoes remarkable changes on addition of the polymer. The results show that at fixed R ( water surfactant ratio) the droplets decrease their size as the concentration of polymer increases. This occurrence …