The neutron tomography facility of IPEN-CNEN/SP and its potential to investigate ceramic objects from the Brazilian cultural heritage

A neutron tomography (NT) facility was installed at the IEA-R1 nuclear research reactor of the Nuclear and Energy Research Institute IPEN-CNEN/SP. According to the determined operational characteristics, the time spent to obtain a complete tomography is 4000 s at a neutron flux of 1×106 n cm−2 s−1 and the best achievable spatial resolution in the image is 347 μm. The main objectives of this paper are to describe the facility as well as to demonstrate its potential to investigate ceramic objects from the Brazilian cultural heritage left by Indians.

► A neutron tomography facility was installed at a 5 MW nuclear research reactor.
► Tomography is obtained in 4000 s with a spatial resolution of 347 μm.
► A restored ceramic object was imaged and cracks and discontinuities could be seen.
► The facility will be employed to study objects left by the Brazilian Indians.