Lucile Beck

Lucile Beck is a researcher and laboratory manager at the Carbon 14 Measurement Laboratory (LMC14), part of the Climate and Environmental Sciences Laboratory (LSCE) at Université Paris-Saclay, with affiliations including CEA, CNRS, and the Ministry of Culture and Communication. She specializes in developing non-destructive nuclear techniques for cultural heritage analysis and dating of archaeological materials.

Her educational journey includes:

• Chemical technician 'baccalauréat' (1983)
• DEUG, undergraduate degree and Master's in physical science at Université Paris-Sud
• DESS in physical measurements applied to archaeology at University of Bordeaux
• PhD from Centre Ernest Babelon in Orléans (defended 1991)

Beck's research focuses on applying ion beam analysis techniques to cultural heritage science, developing methods that are non-destructive and don't induce radioactivity in artifacts. Her work spans prehistoric rock art analysis, Roman coin silvering techniques, and expanding carbon-14 dating capabilities to previously undatable materials like lead white pigment. Her research uniquely bridges nuclear physics with heritage preservation, where heritage science both utilizes and drives advancements in nuclear analytical techniques.

Her significant contributions have been recognized with:

• National Order of Merit (2013)

Throughout her career, Beck has held leadership positions across multiple research platforms including the AGLAE team at C2RMF (2005-2010), the JANNuS platform for nano-science and nuclear simulation (2010), and currently directs the national LMC14 carbon-14 dating facility. She also actively contributes to the Atoms for Heritage Collaborating Centre partnership between Université Paris-Saclay and the International Atomic Energy Agency, providing international training in nuclear techniques for heritage analysis and combating illegal trafficking of cultural objects.