Neutron diffraction investigation of bronze artifacts of historical and archaeological origin

Neutron diffraction is one of the best investigation tools for a non-destructive characterization of dense materials [1]. Thanks to its characteristics, this technique can be successfully applied to reveal, on a quantitative basis, bulk properties of historical or archaeological artifacts that, for their peculiar nature, cannot be sampled [2-5]. Metal findings, for example, often contain corrosion products that are not limited to the surface of the sample but can be dispersed in the bulk and are impossible to be revealed by standard techniques (like, for example, X-ray diffraction) without sampling. The Italian Neutron Experimental Station (INES), located at the world most powerful pulsed-neutron source (ISIS, UK), has been mainly dedicated to this kind of analysis on ceramic or metal findings of archaeological and/or historical origin [6-8]. After a quick description of the basic properties of the thermal neutrons and the instrument, we will show some typical application of the technique on historical samples. In particular, we will concentrate on the composition analysis of some bronze Tsuba (the protective plate of a Japanese sword) that were provided by the Japanese section of the Stibbert Museum in Florence.