APPLICATIONS OF NONCRYOGENIC PORTABLE EDXRF SYSTEMS IN ARCHAEOMETRY

In this paper the most relevant developments in the realisation of por table Energy-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) equipments are disc ussed. In particular, the latest advances in non-cryogenic (Peltier co oled) X-ray detectors and miniaturised X-ray generators are shown. The energy resolution of the new detection systems is adequate to resolve the characteristic X-ray emission lines of contiguous elements. This small size and low power make the system ideal for portable instrument ation and have stimulated the development of small- and low-power X-ra y generators which can be used for the excitation of fluorescence radi ation in a broad energy range (5-40 keV). Finally, the use of EDXRF re lated to archaeometric research (pigments in ancient paintings and maj or elements in the metal alloys) is emphasised. Recent results obtaine d with new HgI2 and silicon PIN detector systems combined with miniatu rised highly stable air-cooled X-ray generators are described.