Quantitative characterization of Japanese ancient swords through energy-resolved neutron imaging

Abstract

Japanese blades are culturally interesting objects both from the stylistic point of view and because of their fantastic performance. In this work, we present new results, using a non-invasive approach, concerning these peculiar artefacts. Five Japanese swords pertaining to Koto (987–1596) and Shinto (1596–1781) periods have been analysed through white beam and energy resolved neutron-imaging techniques. The experiments have been performed at the ICON beam line, operating at the spallation neutron source SINQ, Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland. The reconstruction of projection data into neutron tomographic slices or volumes allowed us to identify some peculiar characteristics, related to the forging methods that were used by the different schools and traditions in Japan.