Study of neutron-induced effects on cultural heritage linen fabrics using fluorescence spectroscopy
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: This study investigates how the fluorescence of linen changes when it is irradiated with a focus for the first time on the distinction between neutron from pure gamma ray irradiation. Earlier studies showed that when linen was subjected to both neutron and gamma irradiation, its visible and ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence increased as the radiation dose increased. However, the spectroscopic reason was not explained, and the specific contributions of neutrons versus gamma rays were not addressed. In this work, a particular linen is used as a control, and the changes caused by irradiation are characterized and analyzed using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as total UV fluorescence photography. The tests reveal that only neutrons, and not gamma rays, increased UV fluorescence in linen. The different ways in which the two forms of radiation interact are highlighted. In addition, the spectral ratio between the yellow band and the blue band areas, as well as the time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, could indicate that the linen was exposed to neutrons. The results support cluster-triggered emission (CTE) as the main cause of cellulose autofluorescence as a constituent of linen, and also a relative increase of CTE with the neutron dose. Finally, the underlying mechanisms of the visual fluorescence perception are analyzed, and the observed effect is explained by calculating the L dimension of the fluorescence spectra using the CIE L*a*b* color space. This work proposes a simple device for detecting neutron irradiation in place in cultural heritage linen fabrics, with potential applications in conservation and forensic analysis.
Source: ChemRxiv
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology (arts and humanities)
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7213904455