Domain, Specialties : PHYSICS
Keywords: Physics / Physico-chemistry of materials
Glass recycling and decoloration from Roman period: photoluminescence contribution
Summary
This internship deals with the analysis or Roman decolored glasses by photoluminescence. We aim to provide a new method to indentify quickly the nature of the used decolorizer among Sb, Mn or both. In addition, we want to make progress on the Reims site and gain a better understanding of the type of glass produced there, as well as how the Reims workshops work (use of the rectangular furnace for glass recycling). For this, photoluminescence and Raman or IR spectroscopies will be performed as well as some glass synthesis and recycling experiments will be made.
Full description
This intership deals with the Roman glass and in particular we want to finalize a new method that we developed based on photoluminescence, in order to classify the decolored glass. We will mainly work on glass samples coming from Reims. Today, 87 secondary glass workshops dating from the 1st to 6th centuries AD have been identified throughout the country [1]. Reims is known to have been a major centre of glass production, with several glassmakers’ workshops in operation throughout the Roman period, but particularly in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. Glass produced in Reims furnaces is divided into two compositional groups:
- glass obtained by mixing manganese-decoloured glass, antimony-decoulored glass and colored glasses (recycled glasses),
- and colorless glass obtained from glass bleached by adding pure antimony.
In short, whether obtained by recycling or by adding oxides, the majority of glasses produced in the late Reims workshops are decolored. It is very difficult to categorize such glasses with the naked eye.
In collaboration with Aurore Louis from Inrap, we will therefore seek to identify groups of colorless glasses by carrying out photoluminescence (PL) analyses in LSI. To this end, we will continue to optimize a method we have developed in 2023, based on the detection of Sb3+, Mn2+ and Fe3+ ions by PL and a semi-quantification of these species.
We will also focus on Pb2+ and Cu+ ions (potential indicators of recycled glass). To better understand the glass luminescence properties (emission shape and lifetime), we will analyze soda-lime model glasses that will be made in LSI containing lead, antimony, iron and cupper.
In parallel, we will also look at recycling and its impact on glass coloring and chemical composition. We will be synthesizing and remelting glass at LSI in collaboration with glassmakers. In particular, we will seek to understand the impact of remelting cycles (duration, temperature, type of furnace) on iron and manganese redox and glass structure using various spectroscopic techniques (Raman, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and PL).
The ultimate aim is to classify Roman glass into different groups and better understand the workings of the various workshops in Reims.
The student should have a pronounced taste for interdisciplinary work.
Methods and techniques: Glass synthesis, photoluminescence, EPR, Raman spectroscopy, python programming.
Reference:
[1] Foy D, Nenna M-D (2001) Tout feu, tout sable : Mille ans de verre antique
dans le midi de la France. Musée d’Histoire de Marseille, Édisud, Aix-en-Provence
Location
LSI – École Polytechnique – Palaiseau
Internship conditions
- Internship duration: 6 months
- Level of study: Bac+5
- Training: Master 2
- Continuation in PhD thesis: Yes
- Application deadline: 3 février 2025
Experimental skills
Language : English
Useful methods and technics: Glass synthesis, photoluminescence, EPR, Raman spectroscopy
Computer languages and software: Python programming