Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry
Description
This Ion Beam Analysis method consists in determining, from the energy spectrum of elastic scattering at backward angles of accelerated particles (generally protons) the concentration of various elements at the surface layer and/or measurement of the thickness of this layer. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) is named after Lord Ernest Rutherford, a British physicist who supervised a series of experiments carried out by Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden between 1909 and 1914 studying the scattering of alpha particles through metal foils The method finds applications in: the determination of elements concentration profiles in patina layer on metallic objects (bronze, silver, lead, etc), the study of the alteration processes of lead objects (papal bulls), and the control of their conservation conditions using lead reference samples. This technique is also one among others for the study of the corrosivity of atmosphere in museums, historical buildings, archives, repositories…, using metal foils and/or various sensors.
RBS