Neutron-induced autoradiography used in the investigation of modern pigments in paintings of known composition

Conference · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:21141180

Aderhold, H C ^[1]; Taft, W S ^[2]

---

1. Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 (United States)
2. Department of Art, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 (United States)

Neutron-Induced Autoradiography is an effective analytical technique for mapping the location of a number of specified pigments in paintings. Most paintings which have been examined through neutron-induced autoradiography to date were painted prior to the introduction of the most common of modern pigments. By understanding die nuclear properties of these pigments, as revealed by this technique, a more informed analysis of modem paintings may result This investigation is part of an ongoing program to develop case studies for presentation to an undergraduate class at Cornell University, 'Art, Isotopes and Analysis'. We have found that this technique is a graphic and effective method of presenting nuclear reactions and radioactivity to non-specialists. Sample paintings are produced using pigments of known composition. A sequence of discreet layers, each a separate image, is documented in order to establish a reference for accurately interpreting the autoradiographs. The painting is then activated in the Cornell TRIGA reactor and a series of autoradiographs produced Gamma spectra taken before and after each film exposure gives us detailed information on which radioisotopes (and therefore, which pigments), are active. (author)

• Research Organization: General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 21141180
• Report Number(s): INIS-US--09N0020; TOC--24
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AGE ESTIMATION
AUTORADIOGRAPHY
CULTURAL OBJECTS
DIES
FILMS
GAMMA SPECTRA
IMAGES
NEUTRONS
PIGMENTS
RADIOISOTOPES