New external beam and particle detection set-up of Liège cyclotron – First applications of high energy beams to cultural heritage

Improvements on the Liége cyclotron have yielded an energy resolution comparable to that of classic electrostatic accelerators. The latest upgrades of the High-Energy High-Resolution beam line (HE-HR) are presented which consist of the addition of both a new extraction nozzle for non-invasive in-air measurements and a new particle-detection setup developed to take full advantage of the increased probed thickness with depth sensitive analytical methods. The suitability of the new setup and the advantages provided by the larger flexibility in choosing both the proper particle with an extended energy available will be illustrated by discussing latest results of studies recently led on Roman gilding techniques on cultural heritage artifacts by means of “High-Energy” alpha backscattering spectrometry combined with PIXE.