PIXE (Proton-Induced X-ray Emission)

    We are using PIXE in two different areas interdisciplinary research.  The first area is archaeology.  We have used PIXE for soil analysis of a dig and also for analysis of pottery samples.  This work is being conducted with Dr. Harold Juli.  The soil analysis was of a dig at the Mystic Seaport of the yard of a colonial period house.  In the front portion of the yard a bone deposit was found (cow) which indicated a slaughter area.  The PIXE analysis of the soil revealed a correlation between phosphorus content and the location of bone deposits as shown in the following contour map of the dig site.  The squares indicate where soil sample were taken.

The second project in archaeology involved analysis of about 40 pottery samples (circa 1000 AD) from various Native American sites around Connecticut.  We found distinct evidence of trade from the analysis of the samples.  This work is summarized in an honors thesis by John Trimble, '99.  Below is a typical x-ray spectrum from a pottery sample.

    We are also now starting a project analyzing core samples from lake bottoms in cooperation with Dr. Peter Siver.