Vani Tankova

@issp.bas.bg

Laser Physics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules, and Plasma
Institute of Solid State Physics "Acad. Georgi Nadjakov", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Vani Tankova


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https://researchid.co/vanitankova

EDUCATION

2014 - Master in Quantum Electronics and Laser Technologies at Faculty of Physics, Sofia University "St Kliment Ohridski", Sofia, Bulgaria;
2019 - PhD in Atomic spectroscopy at Institute of Solid State Physics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Atomic and molecular spectroscopy; Archaeometry; Laser ablation; Plasma physics
16

Scopus Publications

53

Scholar Citations

5

Scholar h-index

1

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • Identification of Mineral Pigments on Red- and Dark-Decorated Prehistoric Pottery from Bulgaria
    Vani Tankova, Victoria Atanassova, Valentin Mihailov, Angelina Pirovska
    Minerals, 2025
    Identifying the mineral pigments used in the decoration of prehistoric pottery is a significant step for understanding the evolution of the technological practices over time. On the Balkan Peninsula during late prehistory, the techniques used for red and dark-colored decorations underwent a significant transformation. In the Early Neolithic period, pottery was often decorated with dark-toned paints, ranging from deep red to brown. However, this approach declined noticeably during the Chalcolithic period, when red pigment pseudo-incrustation became the predominant decorative method. This study aims to identify the mineral pigments used in red and dark decorations on Neolithic and Chalcolithic pottery from Bulgaria and to trace possible technological, regional, or chronological variations in their composition. A total of 34 ceramic sherds, decorated in shades from red to brown and black, were analyzed using two complementary spectroscopic techniques: laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). LIBS data were further evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA) to classify materials based on elemental composition. The results indicate that red decorations are consistently composed of hematite and remain compositionally stable regardless of the region, time period, or application technique. In contrast, dark decorations contain various combinations of iron oxides (magnetite and hematite) and manganese oxides, often including barium-rich manganese compounds—potentially indicating pigment provenance. Additionally, the dark decorations display regional differences.
  • Spectroscopic Identification of Mineral Pigments in White Decorated Prehistoric Pottery from Bulgaria
    Vani Tankova, Victoria Atanassova, Valentin Mihailov, Angelina Pirovska
    Minerals, 2024
    In the prehistoric period on the Balkan Peninsula, the technology of white decoration underwent a drastic change. At the beginning of the Neolithic white pigment was applied as paint on a polished surface. At the end of the epoch, white paste was inlaid in incised channels on the surfaces of vessels. This study is focused on the identification of mineral pigments used for white decoration of Neolithic and Chalcolithic pottery from the territory of Bulgaria. The aim of this work is to answer the question of whether the composition of the white pigment varies according to the technique of decoration (paint and inlay). A set of 41 pottery fragments from 11 archaeological sites on the territory of Bulgaria was analyzed utilizing two spectroscopic techniques: laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Additionally, the experimental data from the LIBS were statistically treated with the multivariate technique, principal component analysis (PCA). The results from the spectral analysis indicated that the main constituent in the white decorated sherds is calcite in various combinations with carrier materials like quartz, feldspars, and metal oxides. The statistical analysis revealed that the primal constituent in the inlaid sherds is calcite while in the painted part, the carrier material is dominant. In some particular sherds, gypsum, hydroxylapatite, kaolinite, and aragonite were also detected.
  • Combined spectroscopic approach for identification of mineral pigments in decoration of Neolithic pottery from the Western Bulgaria region
    Vani Tankova, Victoria Atanassova, Angelina Pirovska, Valentin Mihailov
    Optical and Quantum Electronics, 2024
  • Multi-Analytical Analysis of Decorative Color Plasters from the Thracian Tomb near Alexandrovo, Bulgaria
    Georgi Avdeev, Rositsa Kukeva, Denitsa Yancheva, Valentin Mihailov, Vani Tankova, et al.
    Minerals, 2024
    In the present contribution, we report the results from a study on the ancient technology used to create decorative color plasters in the Thracian tomb near the village of Alexandrovo, Bulgaria. A series of fragments of red, black, grey, white and brown colored lime plasters from the dromos and funeral chamber were investigated by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, infrared spectroscopy, paramagnetic electron resonance spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Based on the combined analytical data, it was possible to identify the pigments, fillers and other materials in the composition of the decorative plasters in the interior, as well as to clarify the technological features related to the plaster creation. The results demonstrated that the murals were implemented on two layers in the case of white, black, grey and brown decoration—first coarse mortar, followed by a white, fine mortar, which usually was made of calcite. In the case of red decoration, a pigment was added to the fine mortar to achieve a colored surface. The pigments were identified as mostly traditional mineral pigments—calcite, kaolinite, red natural ochres (colored earth), brown colored earth and black pigment (amorphous C). The use of the fresco technique is implied by the major participation of calcite and the absence of organic binder in all of the painting layers.
  • Spectroscopic Study of White Pigments in the Decoration of Neolithic Pottery in the Region of the Thracian Valley, Bulgaria
    Victoria Atanassova, Vani Tankova, Valentin Mihailov, Angelina Pirovska
    Minerals, 2024
    Throughout history, ceramics have been the most abundant artifacts in archaeological discoveries. Within the Neolithic period in present-day Bulgaria, skilled artisans applied additional materials to decorate their pottery, evolving in composition and application techniques such as painting or incrustation. This study is focused on the investigation of white pigments used in decorating Early and Late Neolithic pottery from Madzherito, Kaloyanovets, and Hadzhidimitrovo—archaeological sites located in the Thracian Valley, Central South Bulgaria, affiliated with the cultural groups of Karanovo I and IV. Thirteen ceramic sherds were investigated through archaeometric techniques, including Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection mode (ATR-FTIR) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). LIBS data underwent further analysis using principal component analysis (PCA). The results revealed that calcite, enriched with diverse fillers like quartz, clays, feldspars, and metal oxides, was the primary raw material for white decoration throughout the entire period. Talc emerged as an addition to calcite in the paint of two Early Neolithic sherds. The presence of hydroxyapatite and kaolinite in Late Neolithic pottery was also observed. The inclusion of supplementary ingredients in the primary formula for crafting white decorations signifies either the emergence of novel trends in manufacturing techniques or serves as evidence of vessels imported from adjacent territories.
  • Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and X-ray Fluorescence Analysis of Bronze Objects from the Late Bronze Age Baley Settlement, Bulgaria
    Petya Penkova, Galina Malcheva, Margarita Grozeva, Tanya Hristova, Georgy Ivanov, et al.
    Quantum Beam Science, 2023
    In the presented work, a total of 60 bronze artefacts from the prehistoric settlement of Baley, Bulgaria were analyzed by means of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). The archaeological finds were excavated from three levels, with a time span from the 15th century BC to the first half of the 11th century BC. The obtained analytical information was used for quantitative estimation of the amount of tin, lead and arsenic, which determine the mechanical properties of the alloy and the manufacturing technology. Based on the estimated quantities of these elements, a chemometric statistical analysis (principal component analysis—PCA) was performed to classify and divide the samples into separate groups according to the production dating. The data obtained in this study can be used for comparison with the elemental content in deposits from other settlements of this period.
  • DAMAGE THRESHOLD IN ABLATION REGIME INDUCED BY FEMTOSECOND LASER IRRADIATION ON TRANSPARENT MEDIA
    Georgi Yankov, Stefan Karatodorov, Valentin Mihailov, Vani Tankova, Nikolay Nedyalkov, et al.
    Comptes Rendus De L Academie Bulgare Des Sciences, 2023
    The current work is a case study of ongoing in-depth extensive fundamental research on the plasma formation and relaxation dynamics in transparent media induced by mid- and short-wavelength infrared laser pulses. The experimental investigation is performed on a 35 fs-laser system setup. The working parameters such as laser energy and the number of pulses are varied. The experimental measurements are applied on borosilicate glass samples doped with gold nanoparticles. The effects of the applied laser pulses and their consequence on laser-induced ablation damage thresholds are investigated and discussed. The results from this case study provide valuable information and a deeper understanding plasma formation and dynamics induced by femtosecond infrared laser pulses in solid transparent glass media.
  • Organic random laser generation by stimulated cascaded four-wave mixing
    Hristo Kisov, Kiril Blagoev, Vani Tankova, Biliana Georgieva, Velichka Strijkova, et al.
    Optics and Laser Technology, 2022
  • Quantitative determination of antimony in archaeological bronze artefacts by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
    V Tankova, V Mihailov, G Malcheva, P Penkova, L Leshtakov
    Journal of Physics Conference Series, 2021
    Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a reliable, fast and micro-destructive diagnostic method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of a variety of materials. In this paper, we report the results of quantitative determination of antimony in four archaeological bronze artefacts analyzed by means of LIBS. For the purpose of this study, an approach of multi-elemental quantitative LIBS analysis is proposed, based on the use of an element with known concentration as an internal standard and measurement of the spectral lines intensities of the internal standard and the element with unknown concentration. An important plasma parameter which is included in the quantitative analysis is the excitation temperature as determined by the Boltzmann plot method. The quantity of antimony in the bronze artefacts obtained by means of the proposed LIBS approach is between 1.49% and 3.13%.
  • Multi-analytical approach for characterization of archaeological pottery excavated in the Early-Neolithic settlement of Chavdar, Bulgaria
    Victoria Atanassova, Luminița Ghervase, Ioana Maria Cortea, Valentin Mihailov, Vani Tankova, et al.
    Spectroscopy Letters, 2021
    This report presents pilot research of archaeological pottery excavated in the Early-Neolithic settlement of Chavdar located in the Pirdop-Zlatitsa field, Bulgaria (first half of VI mill BC). The object of investigation is a red-slipped ceramic fragment decorated on both sides with white paint. A multi-analytical approach including optical microscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was undertaken to obtain comprehensive information contributing to the archaeological interpretation. The observations identified the qualitative chemical composition of the ceramic body and the pigment used for the decoration and gave implications on the temperature and the atmospheric conditions at which the vessel has been fired.
  • Nature and physicochemical features of the incrusted white decoration on pottery from two sites in Bulgaria, dated to the chalcolithic period (IV mill BC)
    Angelina Pirovska, Krassimira Antonova, Galina Malcheva, Vani Tankova, Kiril Blagoev
    Journal of Archaeological Science Reports, 2020
  • DYE doped polymer medium for photonics applications
    Hristo Kisov, Georgi Dyankov, Valery Serbezov, Vani Tankova
    Aip Conference Proceedings, 2019
  • Application of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy for elemental analysis of archaeological artefacts
    Vani Tankova, Georgi Nekhrizov, Galina Malcheva, Vasilka Steflekova, Kiril Blagoev
    Comptes Rendus De L Academie Bulgare Des Sciences, 2019
  • Investigation of archaeological metal artefacts by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)
    V Tankova, G Malcheva, K Blagoev, L Leshtakov
    Journal of Physics Conference Series, 2018
  • Qualitative and quantitative laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis of archaeological metal artefacts
    G. Malcheva, K. Blagoev, M. Grozeva, V. Tankova, V. Steflekova, et al.
    Proceedings of SPIE the International Society for Optical Engineering, 2017
  • Qualitative and quantitative laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of bronze objects
    V Tankova, K Blagoev, M Grozeva, G Malcheva, P Penkova
    Journal of Physics Conference Series, 2016

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Identification of Mineral Pigments on Red-and Dark-Decorated Prehistoric Pottery from Bulgaria
    V Tankova, V Atanassova, V Mihailov, A Pirovska
    Minerals 15 (8), 877 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 1
  • Spectroscopic Identification of Mineral Pigments in White Decorated Prehistoric Pottery from Bulgaria
    V Tankova, V Atanassova, V Mihailov, A Pirovska
    Minerals 14 (7), 683 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 1
  • Combined spectroscopic approach for identification of mineral pigments in decoration of Neolithic pottery from the Western Bulgaria region
    V Tankova, V Atanassova, A Pirovska, V Mihailov
    Optical and Quantum Electronics 56 (7), 1193 , 2024
    2024.0
  • Multi-Analytical Analysis of Decorative Color Plasters from the Thracian Tomb near Alexandrovo, Bulgaria
    G Avdeev, R Kukeva, D Yancheva, V Mihailov, V Tankova, M Dimitrov, ...
    Minerals 14 (4), 374 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 1
  • Spectroscopic Study of White Pigments in the Decoration of Neolithic Pottery in the Region of the Thracian Valley, Bulgaria
    V Atanassova, V Tankova, V Mihailov, A Pirovska
    Minerals 14 (2), 152 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 7
  • Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and x-ray fluorescence analysis of bronze objects from the late bronze age baley settlement, Bulgaria
    P Penkova, G Malcheva, M Grozeva, T Hristova, G Ivanov, S Alexandrov, ...
    Quantum Beam Science 7 (3), 22 , 2023
    2023.0
    Citations: 6
  • Damage Threshold in Ablation Regime Induced by Femtosecond Laser Irradiation on Transparent Media
    G Yankov, S Karatodorov, V Mihailov, V Tankova, N Nedyalkov, ...
    Proceedings of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 76 (3), 343–351-343–351 , 2023
    2023.0
  • Organic random laser generation by stimulated cascaded four-wave mixing
    H Kisov, K Blagoev, V Tankova, B Georgieva, V Strijkova, P Petrova, ...
    Optics & Laser Technology 148, 107766 , 2022
    2022.0
  • Multi-analytical approach for characterization of archaeological pottery excavated in the Early-Neolithic settlement of Chavdar, Bulgaria
    V Atanassova, L Ghervase, IM Cortea, V Mihailov, V Tankova, V Nikolov
    Spectroscopy Letters 54 (7), 549-559 , 2021
    2021.0
    Citations: 9
  • Quantitative determination of antimony in archaeological bronze artefacts by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
    V Tankova, V Mihailov, G Malcheva, P Penkova, L Leshtakov
    Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1859 (1), 012026 , 2021
    2021.0
    Citations: 1
  • Nature and physicochemical features of the incrusted white decoration on pottery from two sites in Bulgaria, dated to the chalcolithic period (IV mill BC)
    A Pirovska, K Antonova, G Malcheva, V Tankova, K Blagoev
    Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 29, 102142 , 2020
    2020.0
    Citations: 13
  • DYE doped polymer medium for photonics applications
    H Kisov, G Dyankov, V Serbezov, V Tankova
    AIP Conference Proceedings 2075 (1), 030011 , 2019
    2019.0
  • Application of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Elemental Analysis of Archaeological Artefacts
    V Tankova, G Nekhrizov, G Malcheva, V Steflekova, K Blagoev
    COMPTES RENDUS DE L ACADEMIE BULGARE DES SCIENCES 72 (5), 592-+ , 2019
    2019.0
  • Investigation of archaeological metal artefacts by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)
    V Tankova, G Malcheva, K Blagoev, L Leshtakov
    Journal of Physics: Conference Series 992 (1), 012003 , 2018
    2018.0
    Citations: 9
  • Qualitative and quantitative laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis of archaeological metal artefacts
    G Malcheva, K Blagoev, M Grozeva, V Tankova, V Steflekova, ...
    19th International Conference and School on Quantum Electronics: Laser … , 2017
    2017.0
    Citations: 1
  • Qualitative and quantitative laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of bronze objects
    V Tankova, K Blagoev, M Grozeva, G Malcheva, P Penkova
    Journal of Physics: Conference Series 700 (1), 012003 , 2016
    2016.0
    Citations: 4
  • APPLICATION OF LASER INDUCED BREAKDOWN SPECTROSCOPY (LIBS) IN ARCHAEOMETRY
    V Tankova, K Blagoev, G Malcheva

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Nature and physicochemical features of the incrusted white decoration on pottery from two sites in Bulgaria, dated to the chalcolithic period (IV mill BC)
    A Pirovska, K Antonova, G Malcheva, V Tankova, K Blagoev
    Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 29, 102142 , 2020
    2020.0
    Citations: 13
  • Multi-analytical approach for characterization of archaeological pottery excavated in the Early-Neolithic settlement of Chavdar, Bulgaria
    V Atanassova, L Ghervase, IM Cortea, V Mihailov, V Tankova, V Nikolov
    Spectroscopy Letters 54 (7), 549-559 , 2021
    2021.0
    Citations: 9
  • Investigation of archaeological metal artefacts by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)
    V Tankova, G Malcheva, K Blagoev, L Leshtakov
    Journal of Physics: Conference Series 992 (1), 012003 , 2018
    2018.0
    Citations: 9
  • Spectroscopic Study of White Pigments in the Decoration of Neolithic Pottery in the Region of the Thracian Valley, Bulgaria
    V Atanassova, V Tankova, V Mihailov, A Pirovska
    Minerals 14 (2), 152 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 7
  • Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and x-ray fluorescence analysis of bronze objects from the late bronze age baley settlement, Bulgaria
    P Penkova, G Malcheva, M Grozeva, T Hristova, G Ivanov, S Alexandrov, ...
    Quantum Beam Science 7 (3), 22 , 2023
    2023.0
    Citations: 6
  • Qualitative and quantitative laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of bronze objects
    V Tankova, K Blagoev, M Grozeva, G Malcheva, P Penkova
    Journal of Physics: Conference Series 700 (1), 012003 , 2016
    2016.0
    Citations: 4
  • Identification of Mineral Pigments on Red-and Dark-Decorated Prehistoric Pottery from Bulgaria
    V Tankova, V Atanassova, V Mihailov, A Pirovska
    Minerals 15 (8), 877 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 1
  • Spectroscopic Identification of Mineral Pigments in White Decorated Prehistoric Pottery from Bulgaria
    V Tankova, V Atanassova, V Mihailov, A Pirovska
    Minerals 14 (7), 683 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 1
  • Multi-Analytical Analysis of Decorative Color Plasters from the Thracian Tomb near Alexandrovo, Bulgaria
    G Avdeev, R Kukeva, D Yancheva, V Mihailov, V Tankova, M Dimitrov, ...
    Minerals 14 (4), 374 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 1
  • Quantitative determination of antimony in archaeological bronze artefacts by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
    V Tankova, V Mihailov, G Malcheva, P Penkova, L Leshtakov
    Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1859 (1), 012026 , 2021
    2021.0
    Citations: 1
  • Qualitative and quantitative laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis of archaeological metal artefacts
    G Malcheva, K Blagoev, M Grozeva, V Tankova, V Steflekova, ...
    19th International Conference and School on Quantum Electronics: Laser … , 2017
    2017.0
    Citations: 1
  • Combined spectroscopic approach for identification of mineral pigments in decoration of Neolithic pottery from the Western Bulgaria region
    V Tankova, V Atanassova, A Pirovska, V Mihailov
    Optical and Quantum Electronics 56 (7), 1193 , 2024
    2024.0
  • Damage Threshold in Ablation Regime Induced by Femtosecond Laser Irradiation on Transparent Media
    G Yankov, S Karatodorov, V Mihailov, V Tankova, N Nedyalkov, ...
    Proceedings of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 76 (3), 343–351-343–351 , 2023
    2023.0
  • Organic random laser generation by stimulated cascaded four-wave mixing
    H Kisov, K Blagoev, V Tankova, B Georgieva, V Strijkova, P Petrova, ...
    Optics & Laser Technology 148, 107766 , 2022
    2022.0
  • DYE doped polymer medium for photonics applications
    H Kisov, G Dyankov, V Serbezov, V Tankova
    AIP Conference Proceedings 2075 (1), 030011 , 2019
    2019.0
  • Application of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Elemental Analysis of Archaeological Artefacts
    V Tankova, G Nekhrizov, G Malcheva, V Steflekova, K Blagoev
    COMPTES RENDUS DE L ACADEMIE BULGARE DES SCIENCES 72 (5), 592-+ , 2019
    2019.0
  • APPLICATION OF LASER INDUCED BREAKDOWN SPECTROSCOPY (LIBS) IN ARCHAEOMETRY
    V Tankova, K Blagoev, G Malcheva