Optical characterization of amber from Chiapas, Mexico

摘要

An optical characterization of amber samples from Mexico, the Baltic Sea and fake samples is presented, with the aim of discriminate between genuine and fake samples. We sought to identify the physical variables that could serve as the basis for the development of a device whose operation was able to discriminate between samples of genuine and fake amber. The optical refractive index was determined by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry, Abbe refractometry, and by the Brewster angle. The Raman spectra and the fluorescence optical responses were also determined. The results obtained indicate that the refractive index is not a robust variable that can differentiate between genuine amber and a fake sample. On the other hand, the Raman spectra and the fluorescence responses provide information that allows discriminating between both types of samples. For this reason, we used the results obtained by fluorescence as a basis for the design and construction of a prototype simple, reliable, portable, and affordable for authentication of the Mexican amber.