Structural Studies of the Qarakhanid Dirham Using X-Ray Diffraction and Neutron Tomography Methods

The structure and spatial distribution of corrosion in the volume of the medieval Qarakhanid dirham dated the X–XII century A.D. (Anno Domini) has been investigated using non-destructive structural X-ray diffraction and neutron tomography methods. The phase composition and their spatial distribution inside the coins were obtained. The main phase of the studied dirham is the silver-copper alloy with copper fraction dominance up to 74 wt %. The basic phases of the corrosion fraction are cuprite Cu 2 O, tenorite CuO and chalcocite Cu 2 S. The non-uniform distribution of the corrosion penetration in the coin bulk was constructed.