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Analysis of carbon in archaeological glass and pottery by low energy deuteron activation technique

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Abstract

Carbon in archaeological glass and pottery is determined in a simple and elegant way by deuteron activation based on C-12(d,n)N-13 nuclear reaction. The method is rapid, non-destructive and carbon result is obtained along with Na, Mg, Al and Cl in a single irradiation. In the wood-fired Roman furnaces, carbon entered the glass melt probably through fumes and/or alkali plant-ash flux. Carbon is found in the range of 1300 to 4400 (µg/g) in glass. The theoretical detection limit of 5 µg/g is difficult to achieve because of higher carbon blank from the environment/atmosphere.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Michael-Mueller Ring 29, 55128, Mainz, Germany

    Chaturvedula S. Sastri

  2. CNRS-CEMHTI, Site Cyclotron, 3A, rue de la Ferollerie, 45071, Orleans - Cedex 2, France

    Thierry Sauvage, Olivier Wendling & Aurélien Bellamy

  3. 2, rue des Moissons, 05000, Gap, France

    Gilbert Blondiaux

  4. Zeppelinstr. 25, 55131, Mainz, Germany

    Christian Humburg

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  1. Chaturvedula S. Sastri
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  2. Thierry Sauvage
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  3. Gilbert Blondiaux
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  4. Olivier Wendling
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  5. Aurélien Bellamy
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Correspondence to Chaturvedula S. Sastri.

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Sastri, C.S., Sauvage, T., Blondiaux, G. et al. Analysis of carbon in archaeological glass and pottery by low energy deuteron activation technique. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 329, 889–897 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07820-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07820-x

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