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20170130_0026

© Christophe HARGOUES / C2RMF / AGLAE / CNRS Images

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20170130_0026

Système AGLAÉ (Accélérateur Grand Louvre d'Analyses Élémentaires) dans les sous-sols du Louvre

The AGLAÉ (Accélérateur Grand Louvre d'analyse élémentaire) particle accelerator in the basement of the Palais du Louvre in Paris. This analytical system is based on a Pelletron electrostatic accelerator operating at a maximum voltage of two million volts. AGLAE generates beams of accelerated ions (protons, deuterium nuclei and helium nuclei) that interact with the analysed object, producing X-rays, gamma rays and backscattered particles that yield information relating to its chemical composition and structure. To date, AGLAE is the only system of its kind anywhere in the world to be installed in a museum laboratory and devoted exclusively to the study of heritage artefacts. Its performance was upgraded in late 2017, to automate the beam line, optimise micron-scale chemical imaging and enable 24-hour analysis.

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