IPERION HSIntegrated Platform for the European Research Infrastructure

XRF confocal mapping

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

  • Cultural heritage

    architecture, art, decorative arts, furniture, manuscript, metalpoint drawing, mosaics, musical instrument, painting, papyrus, textile

  • Natural heritage

    animal product, botanic collection, fossil, mineral, shell, skeleton

Materials

  • 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

Mobile confocal XRF scanner

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...