Materials Study
By exploiting the strong attenuation of neutrons by low atomic number (Z) elements (e.g. Hydrogen) and their high penetration power for high-Z elements-based materials, neutron imaging/tomography can carry deep-analysis for wide range of material configurations in a non-destructive manner.
Neutron-based diagnostics can provide information on the inner structure, damages, authenticity, manufacturing and restoration processes of cultural heritage artefacts including for example metal objects (e.g. lead, bronze or iron-based weaponry or statues), ceramics, or samples combining metallic and organic materials (e.g. wood, adhesives, soil, leather, lacquer). It can also provide quantitative physiological investigation of fossilised artefacts.
In Geology, this technique can give information on rock formation processes, their crystal phases and behaviour with temperature and pressure, macroscopic strain/stresses/internal cracks, porous systems and flow systems. In planetary science, it can be used for the structural classification of iron-based meteorites.
Other applications relevant to this section include the study of structural robustness of construction material (cement/concrete), visualisation of moisture and multiphase flows in porous and hygroscopic medias, or study of engineered materials structural (e.g. crystalline phases, microstructures, heterogeneities, stress/strain/cracks through Bragg-edge, Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) or Grating Interferometry imaging techniques) and magnetic properties.
Lens-coupled with Li-based scintillators, Andor’s unique Balor-X sCMOS camera offers unparalleled rapid 54 FPS full frame readout, 16 megapixel sensor, with low noise and high dynamic range readout, Andor’s iKon-L and iKon-XL CCDs provide simultaneously large field of view and high dynamic range, while Neo or ZL41 Wave sCMOS offers simultaneously fast acquisition rates and high dynamic range. If high time resolution is required Andor’s iStar sCMOS offers unparalleled frame rates with nanosecond gating capabilities.