title: Dating and authenticating works of art by measurement of natural alpha emitters.
abstract: A method for distinguishing between modern and old samples of lead has been used to analyze certain works of art. The basis of the method is the detection of radioactive lead-210, which decays with a 22-year half-life when it is unsupported by its long-lived precursor, radium-226. The latter is separated chemically from lead when lead and lead products are prepared from the ore.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Keisch
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Feller
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Edwards