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Archaeology benefits from neutron tomography investigations in South Africa

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Archaeology benefits from neutron tomography investigations in South Africa
Authors: de Beer, F.C.1 Frikkie.DeBeer@necsa.co.za, Botha, H.2, Ferg, E.3, Grundlingh, R.2, Smith, A.4
Source: Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A. Jun2009, Vol. 605 Issue 1/2, p167-170. 4p.
Subjects: Neutron radiography, Archaeology, Tomography, X-rays, Brass, Museums, Cultural property
Geographic Terms: South Africa
Abstract: Abstract: This paper describes the neutron tomography investigation on archaeological artifacts from museums in South Africa. While X-rays fail to penetrate the brass matrix of the samples, neutrons can easily reveal, on a non-invasive manner, the content and structure of these precious samples. The South African Neutron Radiography (SANRAD) facility, located at the SAFARI-1 nuclear research reactor, operated by Necsa near Pretoria, South Africa, was utilized in a tomography mode during the investigations. For the 3D tomographical reconstruction of the sample, 375 projections were collected while the sample was rotated around a defined axis through 360° rotation interval. The results show that the technique is able to reconstruct structural features very well and in particular, highly absorbing zones and the presence of defects in the bulk. The samples originate from collections at museums in South Africa and these investigations were the first of its kind performed in the country. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Abstract: This paper describes the neutron tomography investigation on archaeological artifacts from museums in South Africa. While X-rays fail to penetrate the brass matrix of the samples, neutrons can easily reveal, on a non-invasive manner, the content and structure of these precious samples. The South African Neutron Radiography (SANRAD) facility, located at the SAFARI-1 nuclear research reactor, operated by Necsa near Pretoria, South Africa, was utilized in a tomography mode during the investigations. For the 3D tomographical reconstruction of the sample, 375 projections were collected while the sample was rotated around a defined axis through 360° rotation interval. The results show that the technique is able to reconstruct structural features very well and in particular, highly absorbing zones and the presence of defects in the bulk. The samples originate from collections at museums in South Africa and these investigations were the first of its kind performed in the country. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
ISSN:01689002
DOI:10.1016/j.nima.2009.01.213