Non-destructive investigation of elemental composition and distribution of historical organ pipes using Neutron Resonance Transmission Imaging

The proposal aims to investigate the composition and distribution of elements within historical organ pipes, with a particular focus on lead and tin content. Organs are intricate musical instruments, with their pipes crafted from metallic alloys that significantly influence the sound produced. The purity of these alloys is crucial for sound quality, but over time, these pipes deteriorate due to various factors. The study will involve two flat samples from lead- and tin-rich organs (17th - 20th century). Previous neutron analyses (NRCA, PGAA and TOF-ND) have revealed an inhomogeneity of Pb distribution.
We propose a Neutron Resonance Transmission Imaging (NRTI) experiment to assess the distribution and quantity of Pb, Sn, and trace elements. NRTI offers enhanced spatial and elemental analysis, overcoming the limitations encountered with conventional neutron imaging. This investigation aims to identify welding and corrosion areas, shedding light on their possible influence on historical organ pipe deterioration.