Non-destructive materials analysis for archaeometry


The Ion Beam Center offers non-destructive materials analysis to answer research questions in archaeometry, art history and restauration. The analysis does not require sampling and the objects are examined under ambient conditions. The measurements provide detailed information about the material composition incl. trace elements near the object surface, which allows drawing conclusions about fabrication, provenance, authenticity, dating and conservation status.

Foto: Foto: Referenzmessung am extB Messplatz ©Copyright: Christian Neelmeijer

Feel free to contact us for a consultation.
We look forward to hearing from you!

contact person: Dr. Denise Erb

Information on the services of the Ion Beam Center

Information on the proposal process


Applications

Artistic and manufacturing techniques

Art historians, conservators and restorers are often faced with the challenge to reconstruct the fabrication of an object without damaging it. Methods of ion beam analysis can help with this: Even for complex objects such as paintings, they provide precise information on local material composition and potential layered structure of the object surface in a non-destructive way. Thus, these methods enable drawing conclusions on production processes or indirect dating. Mapping of the material composition can show inhomogeneities or later modifications.

Foto: Thumbnail: Servatius Reliquienkästchen ©Copyright: Elmar Egner Foto: Thumbnail: Irisierende Vase von Loetz ©Copyright: Kunstgewerbemuseum in Prag
Servatius
reliquary
Art Nouveau glass


Conservation and restoration

Conservators and restorators preserve ancient art objects for the public to appreciate them and for art historians to investigate them, allowing us to connect with the artistic endeavours of our forebears. The choice of appropriate methods is of utmost importance for any  efforts in conservation and restoration: Applying the wrong substances for cleaning or preservation can alter the appearance of an object in misleading ways or in the worst case can induce chemical reactions with disastrous consequences. Non-destructive ion beam analytics methods can be employed to inform about the exact material composition of an art object and thereby enable the optimum route for its conservation or restoration.

Foto: Thumbnail: Thutmosis III Grab ©Copyright: public domain Foto: Thumbnail: Antike römische Glasflaschen. Archäologisches Museum, Aquileia. ©Copyright: Wolfgang Sauber, CC BY-SA 3.0
Ancient Egyptian
wall painting
Preventive
conservation


Authenticity checks

The financial value of art objects is based to a large extent on their authenticity and thus uniqueness. Museums and private collectors are therefore very much interested in confirmation of authenticity. Stylistic and art historic investigations can often identify forgeries, copies or modifications – but some evidence remains invisible even to the most experienced eyes. Here, methods of material science can provide clarification: Ion beam analysis enables the detailed comparison of the material composition of an object in question with that of a verified reference object to this end.

Foto: Thumbnail: Meißener Deckelvase Kakiemon-Stil ©Copyright: Christian Neelmeijer Foto: Thumbnail: Schnupftabakdose aus Meißener Porzellan ©Copyright: Christian Neelmeijer
Meißen vase in
Kakiemon style
Meißen snuff box


Provenance and systematic studies

Common artefacts such as ceramic shards or glass fragments usually do not fascinate researchers as much by their uniqueness. However, by virtue of their large number they provide valuable statistical information, e.g. regarding the distributions of such products across time and space, related trade routes, or their usage for different purposes or by different societal groups. They also enable researchers to reconstruct the evolution of production techniques and styles. However, the investigation of a large number of objects by methods of material science is very time consuming. Therefore, access to the overbooked synchrotron-based methods is rarely granted for the purpose of such systematic studies. Ion beam analysis methods in contrast can offer sufficient capacity even for extensive studies.

Foto: Thumbnail: Byzantinische Glasarmreifen ©Copyright: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2013.03.003 Foto: Thumbnail: Altägyptische Glasvase in Form eines Palmstamms (18.-20. Dynastie) ©Copyright: Walters Art Museum
Byzantine glass
bracelets
Bronze age Egyptian glass

Setup and Methods

Experimental conditions

  • Investigation of archaeological artefacts or reference and test objects
  • Non-destructive methods, no sampling required
  • Arbitrary shape of objects, maximum size of 1.5 m x 1.5 m
  • Low thermal stress (max. 50°C), no mechanical stress
  • Objects remain under ambient pressure
  • Simultaneous application of all three methods for minimizing ion beam exposure of the object
  • Fast and reliable availability: usually 6-12 weeks after proposal submission, sufficient capacity for all proposed experiments

Applicable methods

  • PIXE (proton-induced X-ray emission)
    detection ans quantification of elements heavier than aluminium
  • PIGE (proton-induced gamma emission)
    detection and quantification of light elements: B, Mg, Na, Al, Si
  • RBS (Rutherford Backscattering)
    composition analysis with high direct depth resolution
  • Optional: combination with complementary, potentially destructive analytics methods (e.g. SEM)

Available data

  • Analysis of material composition near the object surface: up to 100 µm depth, resolution of layered structures
  • Composition mapping with 1 mm spatial resolution
  • Quantification of major, minor, and trace elements

Publications

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