In order to assist with the research and conservation of cultural relics, high tech is playing an increasingly vital role, with large-scale scientific facilities like High Energy Photon Source (HEPS), Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) and China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) leading the charge.

In May 2023, a major research base in nuclear technology application and equipment in the field of cultural relics, established by the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was approved by the National Cultural Heritage Administration.

The purpose of this base is to build a platform for cultural relic research facilitated by nuclear technologies and develop corresponding specific equipment with the help of large-scale scientific facilities, said Wei Cunfeng, a researcher at IHEP, CAS, while addressing a forum to celebrate this year's Cultural and Natural Heritage Day recently in Changsha, central China's Hunan province.

Isotope and radiation technology has the ability to examine, research, and modify materials. Used in large scientific facilities like HEPS, SSRF and CSNS, the technology can be used to conduct research on the texture, structure and crafting of cultural relics, according to Wei.

Synchrotron light source, part of the technology, is like a super microscope that can help people observe objects at molecule and atom level. "It can help us understand the degeneration of cultural relic materials in a more detailed way, simulate an in-situ device based on the environment, and evaluate the effect of protection materials, thus providing the rationale for the protection of cultural relics," Wei said.

The technology can also indirectly estimate the place of origin of cultural relics, offering strong support for tracing research. According to Wei, researchers can analyze the elemental composition and crystal structure of cultural relics with the help of synchrotron light source based on the historic information of the materials, and indirectly estimate the production time and restoration history of cultural relics, facilitating their chronological study.

Neutron imaging technology is another powerful tool. Neutron beams have greater penetration power than X-rays and can be used to conduct CT scans on cultural relics. Without causing any damage to the cultural relics, neutron imaging can clearly demonstrate their inner structure and details.

In cooperation with the Palace Museum, Wei's team researched an iron knife with a painted sheath, used to correct mistakes on bamboo slips from the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-8 AD) with the help of CSNS.

The reconstruction of slice images by neutron CT scans revealed the main components of the rust inside the knife and its 3D distribution, and displayed craft details like the composite structure of the cutting edge, offering a new perspective for research on the rusting process of cultural relics.

More specific equipment for the research of cultural relics is also emerging. "I believe, with the help of high tech, we can better preserve and pass down the invaluable cultural heritage of humankind," Wei said.