France renews unique particle accelerator to analyze artworks' history

An employee holds an antique sculpture from the Bavay gallo-roman treasure (1st - 2nd century AD found in northern France) to be analyzed using the new 'Accelerateur Grand Louvre d'Analyses Elementaires' (AGLAE), a new particle accelerator determining the composition of cultural items, at the Research and Restoration Center of the Museums of France (C2RMF), beneath Louvre Museum, in Paris, France, Nov 21, 2017 (issued Nov 23, 2017).EFE-EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

An antique sculpture from the Bavay gallo-roman treasure (1st - 2nd century AD found in northern France) is analyzed using the new 'Accelerateur Grand Louvre d'Analyses Elementaires' (AGLAE), a new particle accelerator determining the composition of cultural items, at the Research and Restoration Center of the Museums of France (C2RMF), beneath Louvre Museum, in Paris, France, Nov 21, 2017 (issued Nov 23, 2017). EFE-EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

An employee looks at an x-ray of an antique sculpture from the Bavay gallo-roman treasure (1st - 2nd century AD found in northern France) at the Research and Restoration Center of the Museums of France (C2RMF), beneath Louvre Museum, in Paris, France, Nov 21, 2017 (issued Nov 23, 2017). EFE-EPA/ CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

epa06345486 An employee explains an operation in the data center room at the Research and Restoration Center of the Museums of France (C2RMF), beneath Louvre Museum, in Paris, France, Nov 21, 2017 (issued Nov 23, 2017). EFE- EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

The entrance of the Research and Restoration Center of the Museums of France (C2RMF), beneath Louvre Museum, is pictured in Paris, France, Nov 21, 2017 (issued Nov 23, 2017).EFE- EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

Radiation warning signs at the Research and Restoration Center of the Museums of France (C2RMF), beneath Louvre Museum, are pictured in Paris, France, Nov 21, 2017 (issued Nov 23, 2017). EFE-EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

An employee installs a painting by French artist Nicolas Poussin to be analyzed at the Research and Restoration Center of the Museums of France (C2RMF), beneath Louvre Museum, in Paris, France, 21 Nov 21, 2017 (issued Nov 23, 2017). EFE-EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

An employee analyses a painting by French artist Nicolas Poussin at the Research and Restoration Center of the Museums of France (C2RMF), beneath Louvre Museum, in Paris, France, Nov 21, 2017 (issued Nov 23, 2017).EFE- EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

An employee looks at an x-ray of a painting by French artist Nicolas Poussin at the Research and Restoration Center of the Museums of France (C2RMF), beneath Louvre Museum, in Paris, France, 21 Nov 21, 2017 (issued Nov 23, 2017).EFE- EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

The new 'Accelerateur Grand Louvre d'Analyses Elementaires' (AGLAE), a new particle accelerator determining the composition of cultural items, is pictured at the Research and Restoration Center of the Museums of France (C2RMF), beneath Louvre Museum, in Paris, France, Nov 21, 2017 (issued Nov 23, 2017). EFE-EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

France's ministry of culture on Thursday presented its new non-invasive particle accelerator, a powerful scientific tool that allows to safely analyze pieces of art in order to confirm their date of creation and authenticity.

Located 15 meters (49 feet) below the unsuspecting hordes of tourists visiting Paris' Louvre museum, right under the site's iconic glass pyramid, the Accélérateur Grand Louvre d'analyse élémentaire (AGLAE) looks like it is pulled straight out of a Dan Brown thriller.

"Its emissions enable to identify all chemical elements present in the object's outer layers, even trace amounts," said a National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) statement. "Their nature, concentration, and location reveal the object's history and enable its authentication."

AGLAE is the jewel in the crown of the French Center for Research and Restoration of Museums (CRRM) at the Louvre, which is responsible for the documentation, conservation and restoration of items displayed and stored in over 1,200 museums across France.

This new piece of hardware substitutes the CRRM's previous accelerator, which had been operational since 1988; it remains the world's only particle accelerator used exclusively to analyze artworks.

The 27 meter-long machine operates by "bombing" the piece of art with a stream of accelerating particles (hydrogen or helium nuclei) at speeds of up to 20,000 kilometers per second (12,427 mi/s).

As they penetrate the material, these particles slow down and release their energy to the atoms, which in turn emit radiation such as X-rays, gamma rays and photons, among other particles.

The previous unit was dismantled in mid-2016; according to the CNRS, the new AGLAE installation improves its predecessor's performance: it automates the beam line, optimizes chemical imaging on the micrometer scale and enables 24/7 automated analysis, instead of the previous model's eight-hour limitation.

The first analyses will be performed on a group of bronze statues stored at the Bavay ancient Forum in northern France with the aim of revealing their production technique and enriching an exhibition scheduled for Sept. 2018.

After that, the Celtic treasures of Lavau (Aube) will follow. Studying those will help determine how to best conserve and restore them.

To celebrate the new AGLAE, a colloquium is set to take place on Nov. 30 in the Louvre's auditorium that will feature explanations on the AGLAE's functioning and review some of its landmark studies.