Using field-portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to identify the origin of Linqing brick: Considering for impact factors, assessing reliability and providing scientific advices

Abstract Linqing brick is very famous in Chinese history. In 2008, "The manufacturing process of Linqing brick" was selected as the intangible cultural heritage list in China. Now in China, how to identify the origin of Linqing brick is an important issue in archeology and architectural history research. It can be used to verify some assumptions about the history of heritage buildings which cannot be solved only by historical documents. It can also be used to study the history of Linqing brick. Field portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (FPXRF) can quickly and non-destructively determine the main elements and concentrations of Linqing brick in situ. It may be significant for identifying the origin of Linqing brick. But FPXRF could be affected by many factors and it can only measure the element concentrations of surface. Which method we use can provide the most reliable data is an important issue. The aim of this study was to verify the reliability of FPXRF and to systematically evaluate different influential factors on measurement precision and accuracy, which can help with scientific advice for its use. We set up four experiments to determine the influential factors and assess reliability by cross validation using ICP-OES. Finally, we ensured that the FPXRF was reliable and determined the scientific advice required to use it to measure the main elements and concentrations of Linqing brick.