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Neutron time-of-flight diffraction technique has been used to characterize some Japanese historical artifacts. With this method, metal samples can be analyzed in their bulk properties without need of sampling. Results shown here were obtained at the Italian Neutron Experimental Station (INES@ISIS) located at the pulsed neutron source ISIS (UK). The parallel use of a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence device (SEM-EDX) permitted a full quantitative characterization of the investigated samples, namely four hand-guards (Tsubas) of Japanese swords attributed to the Tokugawa age. In particular, we were able to obtain, in a totally non-invasive non-destructive way, a full quantitative phase characterization of the samples, a detailed Bragg peak broadening analysis, and a quantitative texture determination. These results, complemented with those obtained via the traditional analysis method of SEM-EDX, allowed a full characterization of both the bulk and the surface of the artifacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Small angle neutron scattering and neutron phase analysis techniques have been for the first time jointly employed to extract microscopic parameters of ceramic samples prepared under controlled conditions, in an attempt to establish a protocol for deriving information on the firing process. Data have also been collected on two series of early medieval samples from the Italian regions of Cuma and Miseno. The variation of the microscopic features observed on these samples could mirror some technological evolution in the period spanning from the 6th to the 12th century AD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]