Confocal XRF is an advanced analytical technique to be used in situ for the non-invasive characterization of stratigraphic samples. It allows users to achieve in a short time the 1D elemental in-depth profiling or, with longer measurements, the 3D elemental mapping of multi-layered samples. Confocal XRF detected with high chemical sensitivity and with a spatial resolution in the micrometric scale, chemical elements from the object’s surface down to the object’s interior, over a thickness of few hundreds of microns. Confocal XRF is particularly suited for the characterization of paintings, ancient polychromies, inks, plated metals; and it can be used in many multidisciplinary applications including forensics, archaeology, art, conservation and restoration.
Fields of application
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Cultural heritage
architecture, art, decorative arts, furniture, manuscript, metalpoint drawing, mosaics, musical instrument, painting, papyrus, textile
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Natural heritage
animal product, botanic collection, fossil, mineral, shell, skeleton
Materials
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inorganic
ceramic (clay/mud brick/terracotta/earthenware/stoneware/porcelain), glass, stone, metal and metallurgical By-Products, archeological alloys, corrosion patina, frescoes, ink, jewels, mural painting, native gold, pigment, precious metal, precious stone, wall painting
TOOLS
The mobile confocal XRF scanner (CXRF) consists of a spectrometric head equipped with a low power microfocus X-ray tube (30W) with a Mo anode coupled to a highly focusing polycapillary optic. The spot of the beam coming out from the primary X-ray source is 10 microns at 10 kV at a focus distance of 3.5...