SIMS analysis of lead isotope composition in ancient Chinese metallic artefacts

• Published in: Surface and interface analysis Vol. 29; no. 8; pp. 487 - 491
• Main Authors: Yeung, Catherine S. L., Kwok, Raymund W. M., Lam, Peter Y. K., Wong, S. P., Hark, S. K., Jin, Zhengyao, Wong, Philip C. L., Yu, M. L., Mark, K. K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.08.2000; Wiley
• Subjects: Art and archaeology; Chemistry; Chinese bronze; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Generalities; Laboratory technics; lead isotope ratio; Methods; Research principies; SIMS; Solid-gas interface; Surface physical chemistry; TIMS; Isotopic analysis; Secondary ion mass spectrometry; Chemical analysis; Bronze type compound
• ISSN: 0142-2421; 1096-9918
• DOI: 10.1002/1096-9918(200008)29:8<487::AID-SIA891>3.0.CO;2-P

An attempt on the use of secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) in studying ancient Chinese bronze is reported with an evaluation of the suitability of SIMS for the provenance study of ancient bronze objects. The advantage of using SIMS in the study of the lead isotope ratio is the high sensitivity that enables the examination of small fragments of valuable relics that are often difficult to collect. The application of SIMS in this direction widens the sampling area, which is limited by the use of thermal ionization mass spectroscopy (TIMS). The focus of the study has been placed on the precision of SIMS when compared to TIMS and the effect of sample matrices on the precision. Samples of Chinese bronze artefacts and a standard lead sample (SRM 981) were tested for their lead isotope ratios using both SIMS and TIMS. A comparison of the data obtained using the two techniques showed that SIMS results have a relatively large standard deviation, which was attributed to the non‐uniformity of the ancient samples and the single‐isotope detection system of the SIMS set‐up used. Matrix effects were found to be small among bronze samples of different compositions. Non‐conducting samples can also be analysed when a specimen isolation technique is employed. Although SIMS gave higher uncertainties than TIMS, the SIMS technique can be applied easily to differentiate the high radiogenic lead in Shang bronze artefacts from common lead. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.