Neutron activation analysis of archeological artifacts using the ISIS pulsed neutron source

• Published in: AIP advances Vol. 11; no. 7; pp. 075005 - 075005-8
• Main Authors: Cazzaniga, Carlo, Scherillo, Antonella, Fedrigo, Anna, Raspino, Davide, Grazzi, Francesco, Frost, Christopher D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melville American Institute of Physics 01-07-2021; AIP Publishing LLC
• Subjects: Activation analysis; Archaeology; Data analysis; Gamma ray spectrometers; Gamma rays; Germanium; Measurement methods; Neutron activation analysis; Neutron irradiation; Neutrons; Shielding
• ISSN: 2158-3226; 2158-3226
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0043935

Archeological artifacts can be analyzed after neutron irradiation at the pulsed ISIS neutron and muon source, UK, using a newly installed high purity germanium gamma ray spectrometer to perform neutron activation analysis. In this work, the details of the measurement methods and data analysis are presented. In particular, it is explained how Monte Carlo calculations are necessary to evaluate the detection efficiency, taking into account self-shielding effects. The results for two certified bronze standards are presented. The good agreement between expected and measured compositions is promising for the use of this technique for archeological artifacts where the elemental concentration is often unknown. As an example, the analysis of a Chinese sword from the first or second century BC is presented.