1. Archaeometry using Ion Beams
Dragos Alexandru MIREA - Department of Tandem Accelerators
IFIN-HH Days, 21 December 2016, Măgurele

2. Ion Beam Analysis Rutherford BackScattering
Energy of scattered protons or He
give light element composition and
elemental depth profiles
sample
1-4 MeV proton beam or
1-6 MeV He beam
PIXE/PIGE
Characteristic X-ray emission
Simultaneous part-per-milion
detection of trace elements
from Li to U
Elastic Recoil
Detection Analysis
Foreward recoil of target
atoms (particulary good
for H profiling)
Nuclear Reaction Analysis
Nuclear reactions give
characteristic gamma rays
and particles from light nuclei
17 September 2019

3. PIXE Analysis
Collaboration with A. Dragoman from Vasile Pârvan Institute of Archaeology
In-Air PIXE preferred due to the sample’s dimensions
3 axis positioning system with sample holding capacity used
Proton beam used, 3MeV, ~10nA (IBA chamber)
NIST? Nu, nu avem standarde cu aceeasi matrice. Am incercat un NIST 1412, erori mari. Necesar un standard cu aceeasi matrice. De ce elemente? Asa s-a cerut.
Minimum 2 points on each surface. Maximum 6 on the same sample
2 points on each identified pigment – Red, White and Black
17 September 2019

4. Archaeological site Căscioarele (CL)
Călărași county, Căscioarele
Archaeological site dated to Neolithic Age (~1500 – 1800 BC)
Photo source: Google Maps
Photo source: Google Maps
Multiple artefacts discovered. 35 samples sent
to IFIN-HH for PIXE analysis
Pigment and ceramic paste characterisation
17 September 2019

5. Pottery samples analyzed
17 September 2019
Photo credits: A. Dragoman

6. Pottery samples results
percentage
Photo credits: A. Dragoman
percentage
percentage
17 September 2019

7. Pottery samples results
white
red
paste
percentage
Photo credits: A. Dragoman
percentage
percentage
17 September 2019

8. Results overview White pigment Beam penetrated Concentration (%)
the pigment layer
Concentration (%)
Red pigment
Elements
17 September 2019

9. Conclusions
A succesfull test for the In-Air PIXE system developped at IFIN-HH
A new opportunity for collaboration opened
Samples analyzed in safe conditions, returned to owner undamaged
Two types of pigments identified. White mainly implies calcite and other calcium white compounds, quartz varieties, kaolinite, even monohidrated calcium oxalates. Red is dominated by iron oxides (hematite in a possible mixture with magnetite, denoting a specific thermal treatment), and by silicon dioxide varieties
Results presented at 5BSA in Sinaia, September 2016 by A. Dragoman
17 September 2019

10. Perspectives
A good resolution obtained, but Si-PIN detector unable to separate Si from Al
Si + Al ??
2 new SDD X-ray detectors to be installed
for IN-AIR PIXE analysis
resolution 130 eV
resolution 127 eV
Photo credits: 3MV Tandetron Team
17 September 2019

11. Perspectives
The current laser positioning system for samples needs improvement
New laser positioning system to be installed
Photo credits: 3MV Tandetron Team
Photo credits: 3MV Tandetron Team
17 September 2019

12. Perspectives The current video survailance system
New IP 3MP video camera to be installed
Photo credits: 3MV Tandetron Team
Photo credits: 3MV Tandetron Team
17 September 2019

13. In-air Particle Induced X-ray Emission
Presented in 2015
IFIN-HH Young Researcher’s
Annual Session
(actual presented slide)
Desired experimental setup:
2 new X-ray detectors
a plexiglass ermetic chamber
an ultra fast valve
a He flow system (homemade)
a high resolution video camera for microPIXE experiments
a Faraday cup for in-air beam current measurment

14. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION !
The 3MV Tandetron Team
Andrei Radu, Burducea Ion, Chelărescu Dana, Mirea Dragoș, Morărescu Cezar, Ravar Mădălina, Rugină Andrei and Straticiuc Mihai
Wish you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Contact & Collaboration:
Beam Time:
17 September 2019

15. 17 September 2019

16. Pottery samples results - Back-up
Photo credits: A. Dragoman
17 September 2019

17. Pottery samples results – Back-up
white
red
paste
Photo credits: A. Dragoman
17 September 2019