Application of X-ray Flourescence Spectroscopy in the Analysis of Oil Paint Pigments

Abstract

X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy is a rapid and noninvasive technique for detecting and identifying chemical elements in both organic and inorganic samples. This project utilizes North Georgia's Molybdenum sealed-tube x-ray source and slightly-focusing polycapillary optic to measure the XRF from a large number of elemental and compound calibration samples. This data will then be used to quantitatively determine the chemical composition of future studied samples. Elemental and compound calibration samples have been acquired and measurements are underway. The experimental technique and some preliminary data will be presented. Faculty Adviser: Sarah Formica