The influence of matrix composition and ink layer thickness on iron gall ink determination by the PIXE method

The elemental composition of iron gall inks in historical documents can be effectively studied using the non-destructive proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. The in-air proton beam experimental set-up installed at the Microanalytical Centre of the Jožef Stefan Institute was used for this purpose. The aim of the present investigation was to model and evaluate the uncertainties in the analysis due to the incompletely known matrix composition and iron gall ink layer thickness. Estimation of these uncertainties helped in quantifying the accuracy of multi-elemental PIXE analysis of historical documents.