Neutron tomography is a form ofcomputed tomography involving the production ofthree-dimensional images by the detection of the absorbance ofneutrons produced by aneutron source.[1] It creates a three-dimensional image of an object by combining multipleplanar images with a known separation.[2] It has a resolution of down to 25 μm.[3][4] Whilst its resolution is lower than that ofX-ray tomography, it can be useful for specimens containing low contrast between thematrix and object of interest; for instance,fossils with a high carbon content, such as plants orvertebrate remains.[5]
Neutron tomography can have the unfortunate side-effect of leaving imaged samples radioactive if they contain appreciable levels of certain elements such ascobalt,[5] however in practice thisneutron activation is low and short-lived such that the method is considerednon-destructive.
The increasing availability ofneutron imaging instruments atresearch reactors andspallation sources viapeer-reviewed user access programs[6] has seen neutron tomography achieve increasing impact across diverse applications including earth sciences, palaeontology, cultural heritage, materials research and engineering. In 2022, it was reported in the journalGondwana Research that anornithopoddinosaur was serendipitously discovered by neutron tomography in the gut content ofConfractosuchus, a Cretaceouscrocodyliform from theWinton Formation of central Queensland, Australia.[7] This is the first time that a dinosaur has been discovered using neutron tomography, and to this day, the partially digested dinosaur remains entirely embedded within the surroundingmatrix.[8]
Mays, C.; Cantrill, D. J.; Stilwell. J. D.; Bevitt. J. J. (2017). "Neutron tomography ofAustrosequoia novae-zeelandiae comb. nov. (Late Cretaceous, Chatham Islands, New Zealand): implications for Sequoioideae phylogeny and biogeography".Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.16 (7):551–570.doi:10.1080/14772019.2017.1314898.S2CID133375313.
^Grünauer, F.; Schillinger, B.; Steichele, E. (2004). "Optimization of the beam geometry for the cold neutron tomography facility at the new neutron source in Munich".Applied Radiation and Isotopes.61 (4):479–485.Bibcode:2004AppRI..61..479G.doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2004.03.073.PMID15246387.
