Fast neutron radiography and tomography of wood as compared to photon based technologies

It is a well known fact that neutron radiation has absorption properties complementary to photons. While dense materials are capable to absorbing both, X- and gamma rays, they are apparently transparent to neutrons. Vice verse, organic materials containing large amounts of hydrogen are well penetrated by photons, but not by neutrons. This property of being easily absorbed by light elements such as hydrogen makes them predestined to imaging e.g. the distribution of water within a specimen. The content of moisture is of concern in wood, particularly in lumber or in girders, since this could make them prone to rot. If wet and dry wood differs in its overall content of hydrogen rather than in its matrix of hydrocarbons, then this should result in an observable contrast in neutron radiographs. Usually, best radiographic results are obtainable with thermal neutrons. However, since wood by itself constitutes a hydrogen containing material, it absorbs them considerably from a certain thickness on; i.e, they would hardly penetrate e.g. a girder. This study demonstrates that it is feasible to use fast neutrons with a more efficient penetration capability for this purpose. Digital imaging technologies are essential for radiographs of wooden specimens since structural details appear rather faintly in the original images requiring some processing to display them clearly. Particularly large samples like trunks or girders leave poor signal to noise ratios. The noise has been compensated successfully by dedicated filtering. In addition, neutron radiographs are blotched with white spots caused by unavoidable ubiquitous radiation while the beam is open. Specially developed algorithms have been applied to remove selectively these flaws within the image while leaving other fine structures untouched, i.e. avoiding the loss of filigree like features by smoothing. Samples will be shown subjected both to neutron and X-ray radiography, and tomography as well. The differences between the results of both technologies will be discussed. (authors)