Recently, journalists learned from the Institute of High Energy Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences that researchers have studied the feasibility of using the Back-n white neutron experimental device at the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) for neutron resonance analysis techniques and methods. The results indicate that the Back-n white neutron experimental device shows promise as a non-destructive testing tool suitable for archaeological research and the examination of special samples. These findings were published as the cover article in the journal Nuclear Science and Technology.
Neutron Resonance Analysis (NRA) is a non-destructive testing method that identifies the elemental composition of materials by detecting the resonance structures in neutron nuclear reaction cross-sections. Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis (NRTA), a specific technique within NRA, analyzes elemental compositions by measuring the transmission spectra of a neutron beam passing through a sample. The broad energy spectrum of a white neutron beam covers many isotopes' resonance energies, making it an ideal platform for conducting NRTA studies.
Researchers utilized the Back-n white neutron experimental device to non-destructively test simulated lunar soil samples and South China Sea cultural artifacts, successfully detecting and identifying isotopes such as oxygen-16, silicon-28, iron-54, iron-56, copper-63, and copper-65 within the samples. The results demonstrate that this experimental setup is highly suitable for research and applications involving neutron resonance transmission analysis techniques.
It is noted that the China Spallation Neutron Source had already begun exploratory experiments in archaeology as of March 2020, investigating marine concretions on underwater relics from the South China Sea. Authorities indicated that neutrons’ deep penetration ability is excellent for studying the material structure, composition, age, and provenance of artifacts. By utilizing various neutron scattering and imaging techniques, researchers can acquire information that is otherwise difficult to obtain through other methods, providing a new and powerful research tool for the field of archaeology.
Paper Cover. Image courtesy of the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
For more details on the paper, visit: https://doi.org/10.57760/sciencedb.j00186.00352
