Non-Invasive and Non-Destructive Examination of Artistic Pigments, Paints, and Paintings by Means of X-Ray Methods

AbstractThis study proposes non-destructive assessment instrumentation, the X-ray MicroCT scanning, to evaluate archaeological basketry remains prior to any destructive analysis. Three case studies are originating from two archaeological sites in Southeast Europe, with three different stages of preservation (poor, sufficient and very good). In addition, there are two preservation modes—charring and desiccation—along with two conservation situations: treated and untreated with conservation agent fragments. The three different scenarios were chosen to explore the potential range of X-ray MicroCT scanning technology when applied to monocotyledonous small-sized archaeological remains. It was proved that this non-invasive X-ray method is particularly suitable for the often-disadvantaged ancient basketry remains.

Download Full-text

Grazing Incidence X-Ray Reflectance Measurement of Surface and Interface Roughness on the Sub-Nanometre Scale

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-332-525 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 332 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

M. Wormington ◽

K. Sakurai ◽

D.K. Bowen ◽

B.K. Tanner

Keyword(s):

Grazing Incidence ◽

Interface Roughness ◽

Reflectance Measurement ◽

Correlation Lengths ◽

X Ray ◽

Surface And Interface ◽

Atomic Force ◽

Fractal Representation ◽

Non Destructive ◽

Ray Methods

ABSTRACTGrazing incidence X-ray reflectivity may be used to measure surface topography including roughness and correlation lengths to sub-nanometre precision. A study is made of a technically important surface, a carefully-polished specimen of Zerodur glass-ceramic, which has been measured by diffuse scatter of CuKα X-radiation and atomic-force profilometry methods. The data have been analysed in terms of a fractal representation of the surface correlation function. Results from the two methods agreed within their estimated errors, with the X-ray data showing roughnesses of 1.3 nm, correlation length of 1 μm and fractal parameter (bandwidth) of 0.35. The X-ray methods have a lower cut-off length, are much more rapid for averaged information and are both non-contacting and non-destructive. They also show potential for the study of interface roughness in thin films.

Download Full-text

Ultrasonic Tomographic Technique and Its Applications

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app9051005 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 1005 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Takashi Takiguchi

Keyword(s):

Optical Tomography ◽

Acoustic Tomography ◽

Ultrasonic Tomography ◽

X Rays ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

X Ray ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Tomographic Technique ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Non Destructive

X-ray tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are excellent techniques for non-destructive or non-invasive inspections, however, they have shotcomings including the expensive cost in both the devices themselves and their protection facilities, the harmful side effects of the X-rays to human bodies and to the environment. In view of this argument, it is necessary to develop new, inexpensive, safe and reliable tomographic techniques, especially in medical imaging and non-destructive inspections. There are new tomographic techniques under development such as optical tomography, photo-acoustic tomography, ultrasonic tomography and so on, from which we take ultrasonic tomography as the topic in this paper. We introduce a review of the known ultrasonic tomographic techniques and discuss their future development.

Download Full-text

The use of diagnostic radiology to detect shell irregularities in the New Zealand paua (abalone) Haliotis iris

Laboratory Animals ◽

10.1258/0023677011911552 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 167-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

John C. Schofield ◽

Roseanne M. Grindley ◽

Jonathan A. Keogh

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Diagnostic Radiology ◽

Video Display ◽

Ray Method ◽

Marine Gastropods ◽

X Ray ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Display Unit ◽

Non Destructive ◽

Video Display Unit

A method is described for the non-destructive, non-invasive, detection of shell lesions in the New Zealand paua, a marine gastropod Haliotis iris using diagnostic radiology. The X-ray method reliably detected the presence of shell lesions in 96% of the cases examined once lesion dimensions exceeded 6.2 × 7.1 mm. The extent of lesions above this size can be reliably and accurately determined from X-ray images viewed on a video display unit (VDU). Biofouling on the outside of the shell can cause misdiagnoses. This method is a significant animal welfare refinement in the identification of marine gastropods with shell lesions, when compared with traditional techniques which kill the animals.

Download Full-text

Study of Colonial Manuscripts from San Nicolás Coatepec, México, Through UV&IR Imaging and XRF

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/opl.2012.1375 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 1374 ◽

pp. 17-25

Author(s):

Jocelyn Alcántara García ◽

José Luis Ruvalcaba Sil ◽

Marie Van der Meeren

Keyword(s):

Imaging Techniques ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

X Ray ◽

Historical Material ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Non Invasive ◽

History Of ◽

Material Information ◽

Non Destructive ◽

Suitable Technique

ABSTRACTThe necessity of studying cultural heritage through non-invasive and non-destructive techniques has led to significant advances in the last decade. One of the most recent advancements in this theme in Mexico is the portable X-ray system SANDRA, which was used to study three manuscripts directly related to the history of “San Nicolás Coatepec”, Mexico. X-ray fluorescence was chosen as the suitable technique because it can provide a fast qualitative and quantitative multielemental high sensitivity analysis. The documents were examined globally, using imaging techniques with UV and IR lighting. This research evinced a change in the composition and evolution of writing materials (inks and pigments) and provided information concerning historical use of the documents and its actual legal value as a property document. It also stressed the need of spanning these results to an extensive research attaining other regions of Mexico, in order to fully understand the Mexican documents particularities, aging and deterioration. This, in turn, will provide not only historical material information but also an invaluable scoop to understand deterioration and conservation issues.

Download Full-text

An imaging and spectroscopic methodology for in situ analysis of ceiling and wall decorations in Colonial missions in Northern Mexico from XVII to XVIII centuries

Heritage Science ◽

10.1186/s40494-020-00434-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Edgar Casanova-González ◽

Miguel Ángel Maynez-Rojas ◽

Alejandro Mitrani ◽

Isaac Rangel-Chávez ◽

María Angélica García-Bucio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fiber Optics ◽

Infrared Imaging ◽

Spanish Colonial ◽

X Ray ◽

Northern Mexico ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Materials Used ◽

Non Destructive

Abstract Almost three hundred Spanish colonial missions—or their remains—are scattered over the vast state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico. A few of them still display painted decorations on the wood ceilings and walls. The decorated areas vary greatly, from the whole ceiling of the main aisle to just a few square meters in a lateral chapel, and so does the conservation state of the paintings. In this context, the information regarding the paintings’ composition plays a key role in the restoration and conservation processes. For the gathering of such information, we propose a combined methodology for a fast, non-destructive and non-invasive characterization of such paintings with a minimum of techniques. This methodology includes false color infrared imaging as a first approach to determine the composition of large areas of the paintings and the homogeneity of the materials used in the painted areas, followed by small area analysis by X-ray fluorescence and fiber-optics reflectance spectroscopy. This methodology was applied to characterize the elemental and molecular composition of the decorations for four missions in Chihuahua in a fast and specific manner, revealing the use of a mix of mineral and organic materials including indigo and cochineal, and detecting differences between the missions. The methodology presented here can be easily applied for the study of a wider number of missions in Chihuahua and other regions to provide outstanding information of materials, pictorial techniques and deterioration conditions.

Download Full-text

Non-Invasive Analysis of Green Stone Pieces from Tomb 1 of Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/opl.2014.452 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 1618 ◽

pp. 17-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. D. Manrique-Ortega ◽

P. Claes ◽

E. Casanova-González ◽

J. L. Ruvalcaba-Sil ◽

Ma. A. García-Bucio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Analytical Techniques ◽

Classic Period ◽

X Ray ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Integrated Methodology ◽

Ft Ir ◽

Trading Networks ◽

Different Cultures ◽

Non Destructive ◽

Ft Ir Spectroscopy

ABSTRACTRecently, a team of archaeologists discovered the existence of the oldest burial in a pyramid known to date in Mesoamerica. The tomb, referred to as Tomb 1, was discovered in Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas, Mexico. In here, two skeletons were excavated along with a rich offering of green stone pieces, indicating their elite origin. The burial dresses consist of various necklaces, bracelets, belts, and anklets from which some beads were carved in the shape of gourds, monkeys, and alligators. Here we present a full, integrated methodology based on a variety of non-invasive and non-destructive analytical techniques, such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Raman, and Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. These techniques are used to characterize and identify the minerals which were found in these burials. This information contributes not only to conservation and restoration purposes, but also gives more insights on the green stone (jadeite and other minerals) trading networks between different cultures in south Mesoamerica in the Pre-Classic period (c.a. 750 – 700 B. C.).

Download Full-text

X-ray fan beam coded aperture transmission and diffraction imaging for fast material analysis

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-90163-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Stefan Stryker ◽

Joel A. Greenberg ◽

Shannon J. McCall ◽

Anuj J. Kapadia

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Spatial Resolution ◽

Imaging System ◽

Coded Aperture ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

X Ray ◽

Transmission Imaging ◽

Diffraction Imaging ◽

Non Destructive ◽

Ray Methods

AbstractX-ray transmission imaging has been used in a variety of applications for high-resolution measurements based on shape and density. Similarly, X-ray diffraction (XRD) imaging has been used widely for molecular structure-based identification of materials. Combining these X-ray methods has the potential to provide high-resolution material identification, exceeding the capabilities of either modality alone. However, XRD imaging methods have been limited in application by their long measurement times and poor spatial resolution, which has generally precluded combined, rapid measurements of X-ray transmission and diffraction. In this work, we present a novel X-ray fan beam coded aperture transmission and diffraction imaging system, developed using commercially available components, for rapid and accurate non-destructive imaging of industrial and biomedical specimens. The imaging system uses a 160 kV Bremsstrahlung X-ray source while achieving a spatial resolution of ≈ 1 × 1 mm2 and a spectral accuracy of > 95% with only 15 s exposures per 150 mm fan beam slice. Applications of this technology are reported in geological imaging, pharmaceutical inspection, and medical diagnosis. The performance of the imaging system indicates improved material differentiation relative to transmission imaging alone at scan times suitable for a variety of industrial and biomedical applications.

Download Full-text

The Importance of Being Versatile: INFN-CHNet MA-XRF Scanner on Furniture at the CCR “La Venaria Reale”

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11031197 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 1197

Author(s):

Leandro Sottili ◽

Laura Guidorzi ◽

Anna Mazzinghi ◽

Chiara Ruberto ◽

Lisa Castelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Resolution ◽

18Th Century ◽

Elemental Distribution ◽

Measuring Head ◽

Science Field ◽

X Ray ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Planar Surfaces ◽

Heritage Science ◽

Non Destructive

At present, the use of non-destructive, non-invasive X-ray-based techniques is well established in heritage science for the analysis and conservation of works of art. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) plays a fundamental role since it provides information on the elemental composition, contributing to the identification of the materials present on the superficial layers of an artwork. Whenever XRF is combined with the capability of scanning an area to provide the elemental distribution on a surface, the technique is referred to as macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF). The heritage science field, in which the technique is extensively applied, presents a large variety of case studies. Typical examples are paintings, ceramics, metallic objects and manuscripts. This work presents an uncommon application of MA-XRF analysis to furniture. Measurements have been carried out with the MA-XRF scanner of the INFN-CHNet collaboration at the Centro di Conservazione e Restauro “La Venaria Reale”, a leading conservation centre in the field. In particular, a chinoiserie lacquered cabinet of the 18th century and a desk by Pietro Piffetti (1701–1777) have been analysed with a focus on the characterisation of decorative layers and different materials (e.g., gilding in the former and ivory in the latter). The measurements have been carried out using a telemeter for non-planar surfaces, and with collimators of 0.8 mm and 0.4 mm diameter, depending on the spatial resolution needed. The combination of the small measuring head with the use of the telemeter and of a small collimator has guaranteed the ability to scan difficult-to-reach areas with high spatial resolution in a reasonable time (20 × 10 mm2 with 0.2 mm step in less than 20 min).

Download Full-text