Speaker
Dr
László ROSTA
(Wigner Research Centre for Physics)
Description
In the past decade neutron methods have become and now constitute an important and unique part of the science tool kit for exploiting information about objects of Cultural Heritage. Neutrons are perfect tools of archaeometrical studies due to their non-destructive and non-invasive nature. Neutron methods can be used to explore compositional, structural and topological features of the samples. The application of various experimental techniques in the investigations of artefacts usually concern dating, provenance, manufacturing techniques, workshop affinities, as well as fake identification, conservation or preservation of objects. Intense neutron beams are produced in nuclear reactors or accelerator based neutron sources. The Budapest Neutron Centre (BNC) operates the 10 MW Budapest Research Reactor, it is a research organisation for the open access utilisation in science and technology development for its 15 experimental stations; this is a unique infrastructure of this kind in the Central European region. BNC has long traditions in archaeometry research, it has made part of EU projects on Cultural Heritage like CHARISMA and IPERION-CH. The usefulness and complexity of investigations with neutrons is based on the interaction of neutrons with matter by three major ways: 1) Imaging by passing neutron beams through objects – neutron radiography and tomography; this can reveal internal parts or hidden objects inside bulky materials. 2) Absorption of neutrons by nuclear reaction with atoms of studied materials – radiative capture via (n,γ) reaction; this technique gives information on the elemental composition of objects. 3) Week interaction with atoms – changing in the trajectory and velocity of neutrons passing through solid or liquid materials – neutron scattering (elastic or inelastic); measuring intensity variation of scattered neutrons from the sample reveal information on microstructure. BNC offers a complex approach of studying artefacts at its neutron facilities: diffractometers (ND), SANS, PGAA stations and imaging facilities. Complementary measurements are offered by the use of External Milli-Beam PIXE and compact XRF spectrometers, microscopes, mass spectrometers etc. also at BNC site. Some case studies as comprehensive analysis of archaeological objects by combined neutron techniques will be given.
Primary author
Dr
László ROSTA
(Wigner Research Centre for Physics)
