Filomena Salvemini

Quantitative characterization of Japanese ancient swords through energy-resolved neutron imaging

Japanese blades are culturally interesting objects both from the stylistic point of view and because of their fantastic performance. In this work, we present new results, using a non-invasive approach, concerning these peculiar artefacts. Five Japanese swords pertaining to Koto (987–1596) and Shinto (1596–1781) periods have been analysed through white beam and energy resolved neutron-imaging techniques. The experiments have been performed at the ICON beam line, operating at the spallation neutron source SINQ, Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland. The reconstruction of projection data into neutron tomographic slices or volumes allowed us to identify some peculiar characteristics, related to the forging methods that were used by the different schools and traditions in Japan.

Energy-selective neutron imaging for morphological and phase analysis of iron–nickel meteorites

We propose energy-selective neutron imaging as a new and non-destructive method to investigate rare metallic meteorites. It is based on attenuation of a neutron beam of limited spectral distribution in a sample depending on the elemental composition and crystalline structure. Radiography and tomography allow obtaining the presence, morphology and orientation information in the bulk of mineral inclusions, oxide crust and crystalline structure. Its usage in classification and meteor formation studies would be of great value.

Non-invasive characterization through X-ray fluorescence and neutron radiography of an ancient Japanese lacquer

Oriental lacquer artefacts represent very interesting objects of investigation, involving a huge variety of materials and manufacturing techniques. Lacquers are very attractive not only for their stylistic features but also for understanding the variety of production processes, time evolution, use and artistic applications involved in their manufacturing. Till recently, the research activity on these materials has been mainly based on standard, more or less invasive, analytical methods. With the aim to characterise a nineteenth century Japanese lacquer in a totally non-invasive and non-destructive way, in situ X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and neutron radiography (NR) have been employed. While XRF suggested an identification of the pigments embedded into superficial layers, NR allowed revealing, in a single measurement, the average bulk properties of the sample.

Neutron computed laminography on ancient metal artefacts

Computed laminography (CL) has been developed as a method to complement computed tomography for three-dimensional imaging of laterally extended specimens. Originally applied for medical purposes, more recently CL has been used as a non-destructive method, not only in the materials science research, but also with rising interest in artwork investigations. Here, we report the implementation of computed laminography with polychromatic and monochromatic neutron radiation carried out on five historical and archaeological metal artefacts pertaining to different periods and technological contexts. The measurements were performed at the CONRAD II neutron imaging facility at the BERII research reactor of Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB).

Early Iron Age ferrous artefacts from southeastern Arabia: investigating fabrication techniques using neutron tomography, optical microscopy, and SEM-EDS

The study presents a new approach for the investigation of ancient ferrous artefacts, by combining non-invasive and invasive techniques: neutron tomography, optical microscopy, and SEM-EDS, as applied to the objects from Saruq al-Hadid, U.A.E. It is revealed that despite the severe degradation of the objects, neutron tomography allows the detection of various features associated with the mechanisms of degradation and working (manufacturing, re-processing) of the ferrous artefacts including (1) different corrosion products and their specific distribution patterns; (2) surface dents from the use of hammers; and (3) various structural heterogeneities such as mineralised pierced holes, incised patterns, and ex-welding lines. The ex-welding lines present in every artefact have a major significance because they can be conveniently used for the investigation of the manufacturing techniques of the objects. The complementary invasive investigation via optical microscopy (OM) and SEM-EDS is used to relate the carburization patterns of the objects to their welding techniques, which are then associated with the patterns of variability of slag inclusion composition. The integrated data provide insight into the socio-technological aspects underlying the choices in the manufacturing of the Saruq al-Hadid objects, and broader aspects of early Iron Age iron-working in the ancient Near East.

Morphological reconstruction of Roman styli from Iulia Concordia —Italy

Iulia Concordia is an important Roman settlement known for the production of iron objects and weapons during the Roman Empire. A huge number of well-preserved styli were found in the bed of the main channel of the city. In order to shed light on the production processes used by Roman for stylus manufacturing and the conservation state of the finds, a neutron tomography analysis was performed on NEUTRA beamline in Switzerland. SEM-EDS analyses were performed on few selected objects in order to identify the composition of metal decorations. Here, we present results from our investigation conducted on 91 styli, disclosing, in a non-invasive way, the morphological characterization related to the ancient Roman working techniques.

An in situ non-invasive study of two Tibetan manuscripts from the Asian Collection of the Museum of Natural History in Florence

In the complex and multiform panorama of the Asian heritage, Tibetan Buddhist sacred texts are tangible evidence of an ancient religious tradition. The historical value and fragility of these unique and priceless works of art, together with an increased awareness of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage, has prompted the use of non-invasive analytical techniques to the study of these ancient religious items. In particular, the present work aims to characterize inks and pigments of two ancient Tibetan manuscripts part of the collection of the Museum of Natural History, Department of Anthropology, in Florence (IT). A combination of portable microphotography, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and UV-Vis-NIR fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) was used for in situ investigation of all the most significant painted area appearing in the manuscripts. Information about the preparatory substrate, the pigments, and the metal inks were gained. A step forward a better understanding of the working methods applied by the artists was made, thus contributing significantly towards the planning of the most appropriate conservation-restoration procedures.

Using neutron tomography to examine guitar strings

Alison Jeanine Edwards1, Ulf Garbe1, Filomena Salvemini1, Ciaran F Edwards-McKeown2, John Close3, Peter Tregear4 1Australian Centre For Neutron Scattering, Australian Nuclear Science And Technol, Lucas Heights, Australia, 2Arthur St, Marrickville, Australia, 3Department of Quantum Science, Physics Education Centre, Australian National University, A.C.T., Australia, 4Department of Music, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham,Surrey, United Kingdom E-mail: Alisonedwar@gmail.com