Particle induced x-ray emission (PIXE) in multielemental analysis

In this paper, we report some recent results of PIXE elemental analysis. Using PIXE technique, measurements for a collection of precious ancient Chinese artifacts have been performed with 3 MeV protons from our 9SDH-2 tandem accelerator. From the elemental determination with external-beam PIXE and vacuum-beam PIXE, the major and minor elemental contents of ancient bronzes and potsherds were obtained. The samples studied include fragments of bronze weapons of Yin-Shang and Chou dynasties (similar to 1600 BC), and Penghu potsherds recently recovered from deep seabed in the Penghu;coast near Taiwan. Details of experimental results are given and discussed.