Exploratory analysis for the identification of false banknotes using portable X-ray Fluorescence spectrometer
Marco A. Zamalloa Jara, Celina Luízar Obregón, C. Araujo Del Castillo · Applied Radiation and Isotopes · 2018
The aim of this study was to verify if a portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometer can recognize the security features in banknotes that are reproducible by counterfeiters. Peruvian Nuevo Sol banknotes were studied: 4 genuine and 3 fake ones, in 11 points of analysis for each one, at all 77 data set. The correlation analysis of spectra among original notes was 1.0, and there was no correlation with fake banknotes. pXRF prove that two security features were reproducible for counterfeiters. • Falsification of currency banknotes is a quite frequent illegal activity. • pXRF can also be used to identify illegal banknotes. • pXRF has identified the presence of toxic elements in the false banknotes.