Abstract
The use of neutrons for cultural heritage (CH) research is illustrated with special reference to neutron tomography (NT) methods, providing three-dimensional (3D) images of neutron attenuation, and the analysis techniques known as prompt gamma-ray activation analysis (PGAA) and neutron resonance capture analysis (NRCA), providing the elemental composition of an object. PGAA and NRCA are well-established nondestructive methods for bulk analysis of CH objects, with sensitivities that can reach the parts-per-million range. By improving the spatial resolution of PGAA and NRCA it will be possible to measure the composition of small parts inside a large object or even to provide a full 3D map of the elemental composition of an artifact. The imaging techniques under development are called prompt gamma-ray activation imaging (PGAI), neutron resonance capture imaging (NRCI) and neutron resonance transmission (NRT) tomography. The NRCA experience at the GELINA neutron source is the starting point for the development of NRCI/NRT now taking place at the 100 times more powerful ISIS pulsed neutron source.
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