Studies of Ancient Russian Cultural Objects Using the Neutron Tomography Method

Sergey Kichanov,Evgenii Lukin,Anton Rutkauskas,Irina Saprykina,Kuanysh Nazarov,Boris Savenko,Denis Kozlenko

doi:10.3390/jimaging4020025

Sergey Kichanov, Evgenii Lukin + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging4020025

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Abstract

Neutron radiography and tomography is a non-destructive method that provides detailed information about the internal structure of cultural heritage objects. The differences in the neutron attenuation coefficients of constituent elements of the studied objects, as well as the application of modern mathematical algorithms to carry out three-dimensional imaging data analysis, allow one to obtain unique information about the spatial distribution of different phases, the presence of internal defects, or the degree of structural degradation inside valuable cultural objects. The results of the neutron studies of several archaeological objects related to different epochs of the Russian history are reported in order to demonstrate the opportunities provided by the neutron tomography method. The obtained 3D structural volume data, as well as the results of the corresponding data analysis, are presented.

Highlights

One of the most important tasks of archeology and other history-related sciences is the comprehensive study of cultural heritage items
A typical example of neutron radiographic images used in the tomography process to reconstruct
The neutron attenuation are described by total cross-sections as alosses sum of inside the matter

Summary

Introduction

One of the most important tasks of archeology and other history-related sciences is the comprehensive study of cultural heritage items The results of these studies have a significant application value, because they provide a way to penetrate into the far past and allow us to understand the formation and evolution of civilizations and ethnic groups. The fundamental difference in the nature of neutron interactions with matter compared to X-rays provides additional benefits to neutron methods, including sensitivity to light elements, a notable difference in contrast between different metals, and high penetration ability. All these features make neutron tomography an attractive tool, with a growing range of applications in industry, geophysics and paleontology [7,8]

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