Recent and future developments in the use of radiation for the study of objects of cultural heritage significance

Until recently, items of cultural heritage significance have been studied only using laboratory-based techniques. Improvements in the design of synchrotron radiation sources have made it possible to undertake experiments on objects of cultural heritage experience which had hitherto been impossible. Experimental techniques used in conservation science studies range from infrared microscopy to X-ray diffraction and fluorescence (both micro- and macro-diffraction), to small and wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) (both micro- and macro-scattering). Here, we describe studies of important artefacts held by Australian national collecting agencies using both laboratory- and synchrotron-based analytical techniques and particle beam X-ray emission (PIXE). As well, a new technique for studying easel paintings, hyperspectral imaging, will be introduced.