Development of quantitative multilayer analysis. Use of PyMca software
Analysis of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

All our X-ray fluorescence spectra were processed using the PyMca program, developed in 2004 (and still being improved) by V. Armando Solé, from ESRF (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble). Using this software, we can take into account all the layers through which X-rays pass, and model their contribution.

This software offers major advantages for our analyses:

• it enables multi-layer materials to be modeled, even in the case of polychromatic radiation, something that was previously impossible using hand-crafted algorithms;

• it does not require the use of standards of similar composition to the matrix being analyzed.

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