Applications of a new portable (micro) XRF instrument having low‐Z elements determination capability in the field of works of art

Abstract

X‐ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) is a powerful tool for nondestructive analysis of chemical elements present in art and archeological material. Nevertheless, investigations of objects possessing a glassy matrix still offer some problems using XRF because of the absorption in air of the low‐energy characteristic fluorescence radiation of light elements. With the design of a XRF instrument equipped with a vacuum chamber housing both, the x‐ray optics and the detector snout inside, a new attempt to solve this problem was made. The Conservation Science Department of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (KHM) had the opportunity to test this instrument on different objects of art. An overview of some results from these measurements, together with a short discussion of the experiences gained during the investigations, is presented in this article. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Confocal micro-x-ray fluorescence spectrometer for light element analysis

“…Furthermore, the samples are a good choice as nondestructive measurements are very important when dealing with the analysis of objects from cultural heritage. 5,[16][17][18][19] All samples were measured using the Mo x-ray tube with the maximum parameters of 50 kV and 1 mA. Acquisition was 50 s real-time for each point.…”

Application of a portable XRF analyzer to investigate the medieval wall paintings of Yemrehanna Krestos Church, Ethiopia

“…Examples of both portable and stationary XRF systems used for in situ and ex situ studies are numerous and diverse in the literature. Some recent applications are for paintings, investigation of paintings and other cultural heritage objects along with complementary analytical techniques, a remote‐controlled system used for field investigation, and analysis of murals using confocal synchrotron micro‐XRF . The typical characteristics of a handheld XRF were also deemed appropriate for investigations of Ethiopian artifacts in the field.…”

Mobile Spectroscopic Instrumentation in Archaeometry Research

“…[65][66][67] With respect to equipment design, most instruments provide sufficient signals to detect elements Z 20 (calcium) with some instruments capable of lower Z elements such as aluminum, silicon, and sulphur. [68][69][70] The sample area exposed to the X-ray beam, referred to as the instrument spot size, also can vary considerably depending on instrument design. Some mobile XRF instruments are designed more for bulk analysis with larger spot sizes in the range of 9-170 mm 2 .…”

“…A diverse array of archaeometric artifacts including statues, 68,106,107 a sword, 96 jewellery, 74 plates and dishes, 74,108 and religious objects 108,109 have been examined by researchers. And the metal compositions investigated included those consisting predominantly of copper, 68,74,106,107,109,110 gold, 74,96,108,110 silver, 74,108 and iron. 96 A set of calibration standards developed for heritage copper alloy analyses via XRF is available; while intended for all XRF instruments and not just with mobile XRF, use of these standards should improve the accuracy and quantitation range for copper alloy research.…”