AGLAE: an accelerator for art and archaeology

Abstract

For nearly 20 years, the Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France (Center for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France) has used a particle accelerator for the nondestructive analysis of works of cultural heritage. An external beamline has been specially developed for the implementation of an entire set of ion beam analysis techniques under fully harmless conditions for museum objects. Its use extends from simple materials identification, to the analysis of major chemical elements, to the determination of provenance by means of trace element composition, to the understanding of the fabrication techniques, to identification of deterioration and aging mechanisms of art works. This article describes the Accélérateur Grand Louvre d'Analyse Elementaire (AGLAE). Ion beam analysis techniques are listed.