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The three-dimensional elemental distribution based on the surface topography by confocal 3D-XRF analysis

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Abstract

Confocal three-dimensional micro-X-ray fluorescence (3D-XRF) is a good surface analysis technology widely used to analyse elements and elemental distributions. However, it has rarely been applied to analyse surface topography and 3D elemental mapping in surface morphology. In this study, a surface adaptive algorithm using the progressive approximation method was designed to obtain surface topography. A series of 3D elemental mapping analyses in surface morphology were performed in laboratories to analyse painted pottery fragments from the Majiayao Culture (3300–2900 BC). To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, sample surface topography and 3D elemental mapping were simultaneously obtained. Besides, component and depth analyses were also performed using synchrotron radiation confocal 3D-XRF and tabletop confocal 3D-XRF, respectively. The depth profiles showed that the sample has a layered structure. The 3D elemental mapping showed that the red pigment, black pigment, and pottery coat contain a large amount of Fe, Mn, and Ca, respectively. From the 3D elemental mapping analyses at different depths, a 3D rendering was obtained, clearly showing the 3D distributions of the red pigment, black pigment, and pottery coat. Compared with conventional 3D scanning, this method is time-efficient for analysing 3D elemental distributions and hence especially suitable for samples with non-flat surfaces.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a Grant from the key projects of the independent scientific research fund of Beijing Normal University (2012LZD07). The ancient painted pottery was provided by Prof. Xue Lin (Northwest University).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China

    Longtao Yi, Min Qin, Kai Wang, Shiqi Peng, Tianxi Sun & Zhiguo Liu

  2. School of Cultural Heritage, Northwest University, Xi’an, 710069, China

    Xue Lin

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  1. Longtao Yi
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  2. Min Qin
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  3. Kai Wang
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  4. Xue Lin
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  5. Shiqi Peng
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  6. Tianxi Sun
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  7. Zhiguo Liu
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Correspondence to Zhiguo Liu.

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Yi, L., Qin, M., Wang, K. et al. The three-dimensional elemental distribution based on the surface topography by confocal 3D-XRF analysis. Appl. Phys. A 122, 856 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-016-0393-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-016-0393-0

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