Development of Portable X-Ray Diffractometer Equipped with X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer and Its Application to Archaeology

Abstract

A portable X-ray diffractometer equipped with an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer was improved so as to obtain a diffraction pattern and a fluorescence spectrum in air from one and the same small area of a specimen. The reason why the portable XRD with an XRF spectrometer was specially designed for archaeology may be understood from the following facts : (1) some objects exhibited in museums are not allowed to be transferred from the open air to a vacuum, even if their volumes are small ; (2) some objects are very difficult to move from their original sites ; (3) some parts of exhibits are extremely fragile and cannot be examined in a vacuum ; and (4) information on the chemical composition and structure from the same area of an object offers a better understanding of the constitutive materials of the object. Some examples of the use of a portable X-ray diffractometer equipped with an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer in the field are also introduced. Experimental results of Sho-kannon, Snew's mask and Tutankhamun's golden mask are shown here.