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Neutron Methods for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage pp 303–320Cite as

Prompt Gamma Activation Imaging (PGAI)

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Part of the book series: Neutron Scattering Applications and Techniques ((NEUSCATT))

Abstract

The neutron is an ideal probe for elemental composition and structural analysis of samples due to its deep penetration into materials. This feature makes it especially suitable for the non-invasive investigation of bulky samples from geology, material science, crystallography, and archaeometry. PGAI (Prompt Gamma Activation Imaging)—a novel non-destructive, neutron based, two-dimensional, 3-dimensional (2D/3D) elemental imaging method—was invented as an extension of the well-established PGAA (Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis) bulk elemental analysis method, in combination with NR/NT (Neutron Radiography/Tomography). The spatial resolution obtained so far for the elemental imaging part is on the order of 5 mm. Selected experiments will be discussed to highlight the capabilities of this technique, including the analysis of cultural heritage objects. The results obtained can answer questions of historical interest, like the state of craftsmanship during an era, or the authenticity, and/or provenance of the investigated objects, as well as aspects of restoration and conservation procedures.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. MTA Centre for Energy Research, Budapest, Hungary

    Z. Kis & L. Szentmiklósi

  2. University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    R. Schulze

  3. University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

    E. Abraham

Authors
  1. Z. Kis
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  2. L. Szentmiklósi
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  3. R. Schulze
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  4. E. Abraham
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Z. Kis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Applied Materials, Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Nikolay Kardjilov

  2. Physics Department, NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

    Giulia Festa

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© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Kis, Z., Szentmiklósi, L., Schulze, R., Abraham, E. (2017). Prompt Gamma Activation Imaging (PGAI). In: Kardjilov, N., Festa, G. (eds) Neutron Methods for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage. Neutron Scattering Applications and Techniques. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33163-8_14

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