Journal of Neutron Research - Volume 14, issue 1

Authors: Viale, R.

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.1080/10238160600672880

Citation: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 1-1, 2006

Authors: Botti, A. | Sodo, A. | Ricci, M.A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Small angle neutron scattering has been employed to extract microscopic parameters of ceramic samples prepared under controlled conditions, in the attempt of establishing a protocol for deriving information on the firing process of pottery finds. This protocol has been applied to a series of samples from the early middle ages coming from the Italian region of Miseno. The variation of the microscopical features observed on these samples could mirror a technological evolution in the period spanning from VI to XII century A.D.

Keywords: Middle-age, SANS, Pottery, Microscopical features

DOI: 10.1080/10238160600672906

Citation: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 3-9, 2006

Authors: Bacci, M. | Casini, A. | Picollo, M. | Radicati, B. | Stefani, L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The necessity of non-invasive measurements is stressed for studies of works of art. The integration of different techniques can supply a large quantity of information without any sampling. As a case study, Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna of the Yarn Winder has been considered. The preliminary results of an investigation with fibre optic reflectance spectroscopy and hyper-spectral image spectroscopy are reported and discussed.

Keywords: Non-invasive measurements, Fibre optic reflectance spectroscopy, Hyper-spectral image spectroscopy, Paintings

DOI: 10.1080/10238160600672930

Citation: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 11-16, 2006

Authors: Cesareo, R. | Ridolfi, S. | Castellano, A. | Marabelli, M. | Buccolieri, G. | Quarta, S. | Gigante, G.E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) has been used successfully for some time now in non-destructive diagnostic examinations of art works, especially for paintings and bronze works. Furthermore, such examinations may be carried out with portable equipment, allowing studies in situ. EDXRF-analysis of paintings generally provides the following information: –possible presence of elements on the surface (sulphur, chlorine) due to pollution; –identification of the elements, and therefore giving a good indication of the pigments, employed by the artist; and –identification of previous restoration areas, by detecting the presence of “modern” elements, such as titanium, zinc, cadmium, etc. Recently, the famous Chapel of …the Scrovegni painted by Giotto in Padua in 1303–1305 was analysed in detail to obtain all the information described above. Another example of application of EDXRF-analysis to paintings was a recent examination of 11 paintings believed to be by De Chirico the outcome of which was compared with that obtained for 15 paintings certainly by De Chirico. Finally, the bronze statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni was analysed, in order to determine its composition and the presence of sulphur and chlorine on the surface. In this case, the analysis was partially destructive, because small areas of a few square millimetres had to be cleaned for analyses, to avoid interference by the patina. Show more

Keywords: EDXRF, portable systems, paintings, bronze alloys

DOI: 10.1080/10238160600672997

Citation: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 17-27, 2006

Authors: Kardjilov, Nikolay | Fiori, Fabrizio | Giunta, Giuseppe | Hilger, André | Rustichelli, Franco | Strobl, Markus | Banhart, John | Triolo, Roberto

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Within the last decade neutron tomography and radiography significantly gained importance. Especially its application in non-destructive testing for industrial components can be underlined. A good example is the automotive and aviation industry, where a high contrast for the used lubricants and adhesive materials is required. In contrast to X-rays, neutrons are able to penetrate thick layers of metals and provide on the other hand a high sensitivity to hydrogen containing materials. In recent years, a large number of applications in other fields like biology, medicine, geology and especially archaeology have been reported. Here the potential of neutron tomography for investigations …on archaeological samples shall be outlined and some recent examples will be presented. Show more

Keywords: Neutron tomography, Archaeology, Neutron radiography, Thermal neutrons

DOI: 10.1080/10238160600673201

Citation: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 29-36, 2006

Authors: Kockelmann, W. | Chapon, L.C. | Engels, R. | Schelten, J. | Neelmeijer, C. | Walcha, H.-M. | Artioli, G. | Shalev, S. | Perelli-Cippo, E. | Tardocchi, M. | Gorini, G. | Radaelli, P.G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Neutron radiation is a highly penetrating probe, routinely used for non-destructive testing of engineering components and for analysis of the structure and dynamics of novel advanced materials. The same analytical techniques can be employed for characterising objects of art, museum pieces and archaeological findings. In particular, neutron radiography, neutron diffraction and neutron activation analysis provide valuable and complementary information to address questions of provenance, authenticity, fabrication techniques and conservation. This paper surveys some basic concepts and recent applications of neutrons in cultural heritage research at the ISIS neutron spallation source.

Keywords: Cultural heritage, Neutron diffraction, Texture analysis, Prompt gamma activation analysis

DOI: 10.1080/10238160600673284

Citation: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 37-42, 2006

Authors: Cinque, G.E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The RiVa project, where RiVa stands for Rediscovering Hadrian’s villa, is aimed at defining a multidisciplinary methodology to approach the problem of representing, reconstructing and restoring archaeological complexes. This methodology should serve as a common base to finalize efforts and contributions of different expertise towards the same goal. Within the RiVa project experts from the areas of engineering, physics, chemistry, architecture and archaeology find a common base to share findings and define strategies for future studies. RiVa serves as a pilot project to take maximum benefits from different expertise in tracing the origin of ancient materials, their scope and function …within a structural assembly, their archaeological value, their position within a coherent framework progressively reconstructed with the aid of surveying and artificial data imaging. Show more

Keywords: RiVa project, Archaeology, Coherent framework, Artificial data imaging

DOI: 10.1080/10238160600673557

Citation: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 43-54, 2006

Authors: Filabozzi, A. | Andreani, C. | de Pascale, M.P. | Gorini, G. | Pietropaolo, A. | Perelli Cippo, E. | Senesi, R. | Tardocchi, M. | Kockelmann, W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The primary objective of this work is the characterisation of ancient roman marble fragments through neutron diffraction, a non-destructive experimental method. The neutron diffractometer ROTAX, operating at the pulsed neutron source ISIS, in the UK has been used to determine composition down to a 0.5 wt% level and to obtain information on preferred orientations of grains in the marble tiles.

Keywords: Ancient Roman marbles, Neutron diffraction, Textures

DOI: 10.1080/10238160600673128

Citation: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 55-58, 2006

Authors: Triolo, R. | Lo Celso, F. | Gorgoni, C. | Pallante, P. | Schwahn, D. | Baron, M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Marbles, carbonatic (i.e. calcitic–dolomitic) rocks deriving from the metamorphic evolution of previous carbonates, are often rather similar to each other in many respects (i.e. mineralogical, physical–structural and chemical), and thus difficult to identify. In search for a diagnostic method to provenance marbles, we have selected a limited number of Italian white marbles representing a wide array of metamorphic (i.e. thermal) levels. The mesoscale structural arrangement of these samples was derived by means of combined Ultra Small Angle and Small Angle Neutron Scattering experiments. The parameters of the model used to fit the data have been correlated with the metamorphic history …of the samples. These interesting preliminary results, to be confirmed with new analyses, throw new light on the strict relationship between the formation history of a marble and its intermediate mesoscopic structure, which is of potential interest for other applications, such as the source identification and authentication of ancient marble artifacts. Show more

Keywords: Archaeometry, SANS, USANS, Marbles, Fractals, Mesostructures

DOI: 10.1080/10238160600673359

Citation: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 59-67, 2006

Authors: Martini, M. | Sibilia, E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Thermoluminescence (TL) dating of ceramic materials is nowadays a consolidated and powerful archaeometric technique. The Luminescence Dating Laboratory of the Department of Material Science (Milano Bicocca University) started its activity in this field in 1980 and since then several thousands of samples have been successfully dated. In recent years, TL dating has been extensively and systematically applied to bricks sampled from historical buildings spanning from Roman period to the late XIX century. This particular application of TL dating technique is presented, and its potential and specificity are illustrated and discussed.

Keywords: Archaeometry, Thermoluminescence dating, Building archaeology, Ceramic materials

DOI: 10.1080/10238160600673326

Citation: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 69-74, 2006

Authors: Mancini, L. | Tromba, G. | Zanini, F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Feasibility studies have been carried out at the SYRMEP beamline of the Elettra synchrotron laboratory in Trieste, with the aim of demonstrating the advantages, and evaluating the effectiveness, of synchrotron radiation phase-contrast X-ray imaging and microtomography over conventional methods in the context of archaeometry. The combination of high brilliance and high spatial coherence of third generation sources offers new opportunities for novel applications in the study of samples of cultural interest.

Keywords: Archaeometry, Synchrotron radiation, X-ray imaging, Microtomography

DOI: 10.1080/10238160600673300

Citation: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 75-79, 2006

Authors: Comelli, D. | Valentini, G. | Cubeddu, R. | Toniolo, L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We have recently developed a portable system for advanced fluorescence investigation of works of art. The system is based on the measurement of both the time dependent and spectral features of fluorescence emission, after excitation with UV laser pulses. The technique is aimed at localising and identifying organic and inorganic compounds present on the surface of artworks. The time dependence of the emission is analysed with a fluorescence lifetime imaging apparatus, which allows us to measure the map of the fluorescence lifetime, combined with a portable spectrometer for recording fluorescence spectra of selected points. The characterization of the compounds present …on the art object’s surfaces is carried out with analytical measurements on micro-samples collected with the assistance of the fluorescence maps. These methods have been successfully applied to characterise the fresco paintings of Filippo Lippi in the cathedral of Prato and to study the contaminants on the surface of Michelangelo’s David in Florence. Show more

Keywords: UV fluorescence, Time-resolved spectroscopy, Cultural heritage, FLIM

DOI: 10.1080/10238160600673524

Citation: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 81-90, 2006