Authentication and Conservation in Art - The Louvre Museum, visited by 9 million people annually, houses an underground particle accelerator used for art analysis [1] - Particle accelerators, like Aglae, are used to determine the authenticity, origin, and period of art objects by analyzing their elemental composition [1] - The analysis involves bombarding objects with ions, causing them to emit X-rays, which are then detected to identify the elements present [1] - The process helps in identifying forgeries, as demonstrated by the removal of a supposedly Egyptian head from the Louvre's collection after analysis revealed it was made with glass not used until the 17th century [1] Challenges and Solutions in Art Analysis - Analyzing fragile materials like organic matter and paint pigments with particle accelerators poses a risk of damage [2] - Research is conducted to study the modifications produced in different types of paints when analyzed with accelerators, ensuring the protection of artworks [3] - A database of pigments from all periods is being created to aid researchers and museums in validating the authenticity of art [5] Applications and Discoveries - The Louvre acquired "La cesta de fresas de Shakdown" for 25 million euros in 2024, and it was analyzed in the lab before being exhibited [6] - Analysis of 15th-century Italian ceramics revealed the use of metallic nanoparticles (copper and silver) in their lustrous paint [8] - Analysis of a statue of Ishtar's eyes revealed they were made of rubies from Southeast Asia, uncovering a previously unknown trade route between Southeast Asia and Mesopotamia [9][10][11]