Dating and Monitoring of Cultural Heritage
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to illustrate how various physical techniques and methods can be employed for the dating and monitoring of cultural heritages. Emphasis is placed on dating through thermoluminescence and optically stimulated luminescence, as well as on monitoring the state of degradation of a cultural heritage using nuclear magnetic resonance.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will:
· have acquired theoretical knowledge of thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) phenomena
· have acquired an understanding of the physical principles and dating procedures based on TL and OSL
· have gained practical skills in the instrumentation used for TL and OSL measurements, as well as in the procedures for measuring and analysing the related signals
· have acquired theoretical knowledge of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
· have gained practical skills in the procedures for measuring and analysing NMR signal in porous materials
· have acquired theoretical knowledge of thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) phenomena
· have acquired an understanding of the physical principles and dating procedures based on TL and OSL
· have gained practical skills in the instrumentation used for TL and OSL measurements, as well as in the procedures for measuring and analysing the related signals
· have acquired theoretical knowledge of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
· have gained practical skills in the procedures for measuring and analysing NMR signal in porous materials
Lesson period: First semester
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Review of nuclear physics (nuclear structure, nuclear stability, radioactive decay, law of radioactive decay, natural and artificial radioactivity)
· Interaction of ionizing radiation with matter
· Principles and instruments for the detection of ionizing radiation
· Radiation dose and natural dose rate
· Thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL)
· Dating using TL and OSL
· Laboratory activities: acquisition and analysis of TL and OSL signals, and application of measurement procedures typically used in luminescence dating
· Physical principles of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and related instrumentation
· Main applications of NMR in the field of cultural heritage
· Laboratory activities: acquisition and analysis of NMR signal in porous materials
· Interaction of ionizing radiation with matter
· Principles and instruments for the detection of ionizing radiation
· Radiation dose and natural dose rate
· Thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL)
· Dating using TL and OSL
· Laboratory activities: acquisition and analysis of TL and OSL signals, and application of measurement procedures typically used in luminescence dating
· Physical principles of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and related instrumentation
· Main applications of NMR in the field of cultural heritage
· Laboratory activities: acquisition and analysis of NMR signal in porous materials
Prerequisites for admission
Students are expected to have a good understanding of general physics
Teaching methods
The teaching approach combines traditional classroom lectures, aimed at providing the theoretical foundations of the course topics, with laboratory sessions. These practical activities are designed to allow students to directly observe the physical phenomena discussed in class and to apply measurement and analysis techniques relevant to the dating and monitoring of cultural heritage objects.
Teaching Resources
Slides and specific references are provided on the course webpage available through MyARIEL
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral test aimed at verifying the correct understanding of the various topics covered in the program, as well as the ability to elaborate the concepts and information provided. The discussion of the results of the experimental measurements carried out during the laboratory sessions is also included
FIS/07 - APPLIED PHYSICS - University credits: 6
Practicals: 12 hours
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professors:
Arosio Paolo, Veronese Ivan
Professor(s)