Application and validity of the Radon transform applied to axisymmetric neutron strain imaging

Abstract

Next generation pulsed neutron sources and wavelength dispersive imaging detectors are creating new opportunities for strain analysis. One such technique is Bragg edge transmission analysis in which projected measurements of the crystallographic properties of bulk polycrystalline samples are recorded on a time-of-flight area detector. The ability to measure the elastic strain field poses the question of whether it is possible to reconstruct a three-dimensional map of the elastic strain tensor from a set of lower order projection data. Here we present a fundamental exploration of the validity of axisymmetric strain reconstruction algorithms available for inverting Bragg edge data. The results demonstrate that the compatibility of the elastic strain field under investigation is critical in determining which algorithm may be successfully applied. Finally, a more robust approach to Radon transform strain tomography is presented based on the condition of zero total strain.