New article published in 12(4A): The Meeting on Nuclear Applications (ENAN) / INAC 2024
Preserving cultural heritage through radiation-curing resin consolidation: a case study of an indigenous ceramic vessel
Abstract: This article presents a case study on a ceramic vessel belonging to the Amazonian indigenous people, Asurini do Xingu, to investigate the use of gamma radiation for consolidating cultural heritage. Traditionally, gamma radiation is used to impregnate cultural artifacts with a radiocurable resin. In this study, the consolidating resin was applied only to the external surface of the vessel by brushing. The object was weighed before and after consolidation, and a colorimeter was used to evaluate possible colorchanges. The results indicated that the method was effective, with no negative effects on the appearance of the cultural item.
Calibration coefficients of epitaxial diodes used in diagnostic radiology and computed tomographybeams
Abstract:The assessment of the calibration coefficients of anepitaxial diode, previously characterized for diagnostic radiology (RQR qualities) and computed tomography (RQT qualities) dosimetry, is reported in this work. The diode, with an n-type epitaxial layer (50 μm) grown on a thick (300 μm) Czochralski silicon substrate, is directly connected to an electrometer Keithley 6517B in the photovoltaic mode and exposed to X-ray beams from a Pantak/Seifert generator, model Isovolt 160 HS.Under this operational condition, the dosimetric quantity is the dose rate correlated with the output currentsignalfrom the diodewhenexposed to radiation. The corresponding collected charge (the integral of the current signal) is proportional to the dose.The repeatability of the current signals and the dose response of the diode are investigated in several RQR and RQT beam qualities spanning from 50 kV to 150 kV. The calibration coefficients(Nk) are assessed by linking the diode readings to those from the standard ionization chambersfor referencebeam qualities (RQR-5 and RQT-9)following theformalism recommended by Technical Reports Series No. 457. To take into accountthe variations of the X-ray beams related to the correspondent reference beam qualities, the correction factors are also calculated. Despite being close to 1, theyevidence the energy dependence of the EPI diode for voltages above 100 kV.
