New Approaches for Correction of Interlayer Absorption Effects in X-ray Fluorescence Imaging of Paintings.

The X-ray fluorescence imaging technique allows not only the imaging itself but also the identification of the hidden paint layers what makes it much more versatile as compared with X-ray radiography. One of the main disadvantages of the former method is the fact that the characteristic X-rays from the deeper paint layers are absorbed in the covering layers. This effect is manifested by some artifacts that impede a proper interpretation of the acquired images.