Neutron Resonance Capture Analysis (NRCA), elemental compositions

Abstract: Neutron resonance capture analysis (NRCA) has been applied to determine the elemental compositions of three valuable, precious and very well preserved ancient bronze objects from the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden (NL). For this study it was not allowed to use analytical methods, for which samples should be taken from objects. For this reason they were studied by NRCA using epithermal neutron beams from the pulsed neutron source of the GELINA facility of the EC-JRC-IRMM in Geel (Belgium). Neutrons can penetrate thick layers of materials, and therefore this method provides bulk compositions. NRCA is a fully non-destructive method. Since thermal neutrons are removed from the beam, the activation of the objects is low already directly after the measurement and fully negligible after a short waiting period