Application of neutron grating interferometry and tomography to the nineteenth century Korean copper coins

Abstract Distinguishing differences between authentic artifacts and replicas is a significant challenge in the field of cultural heritage. In this study, we explore the application of neutron grating interferometry and tomography techniques to identify Korean copper coins in the nineteenth century o...

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Main Authors: Youngju Kim, M. Cyrus Daugherty, Daniel S. Hussey, Jacob M. LaManna, David L. Jacobson, Jongyul Kim, Caitlyn M. Wolf, Paul A. Kienzle, Daeseung Kim, Minsu Han, Hahn Choo, Seung Wook Lee, TaeJoo Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99235-x
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author Youngju Kim
M. Cyrus Daugherty
Daniel S. Hussey
Jacob M. LaManna
David L. Jacobson
Jongyul Kim
Caitlyn M. Wolf
Paul A. Kienzle
Daeseung Kim
Minsu Han
Hahn Choo
Seung Wook Lee
TaeJoo Kim
author_facet Youngju Kim
M. Cyrus Daugherty
Daniel S. Hussey
Jacob M. LaManna
David L. Jacobson
Jongyul Kim
Caitlyn M. Wolf
Paul A. Kienzle
Daeseung Kim
Minsu Han
Hahn Choo
Seung Wook Lee
TaeJoo Kim
author_sort Youngju Kim
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Distinguishing differences between authentic artifacts and replicas is a significant challenge in the field of cultural heritage. In this study, we explore the application of neutron grating interferometry and tomography techniques to identify Korean copper coins in the nineteenth century of Joseon period by investigating structural differences between genuine objects and replicas. Neutron grating interferometry provides the microstructural information of coins, including features such as pores and precipitates, through a dark field image derived from small-angle neutron scattering. Additionally, neutron transmission tomography examines the three-dimensional internal structures and potentially hidden features of coins. Both neutron imaging techniques highlight regions that contain lead precipitates in the copper alloy, showing consistent agreement with optical imaging and with the quantitative lead content measured by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The distinct corrosion patterns observed in the authentic coin and replica provide empirical explanations for the general corrosion mechanism of copper alloy. This interpretation finds support in the moderate contribution of dark field contrast from cuprite, which underlies the signal of lead precipitates.
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spelling doaj-art-e217451dae824434ab37ddf573a6158a2025-08-20T02:55:25ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-99235-xApplication of neutron grating interferometry and tomography to the nineteenth century Korean copper coinsYoungju Kim0M. Cyrus Daugherty1Daniel S. Hussey2Jacob M. LaManna3David L. Jacobson4Jongyul Kim5Caitlyn M. Wolf6Paul A. Kienzle7Daeseung Kim8Minsu Han9Hahn Choo10Seung Wook Lee11TaeJoo Kim12Neutron Science Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research InstitutePhysical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and TechnologyPhysical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and TechnologyPhysical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and TechnologyPhysical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and TechnologyNeutron Science Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research InstituteNIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and TechnologyNIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and TechnologySchool of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National UniversityDepartment of Heritage Science and Technology Studies, Korea National University of HeritageDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, University of TennesseeSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National UniversityNeutron Science Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research InstituteAbstract Distinguishing differences between authentic artifacts and replicas is a significant challenge in the field of cultural heritage. In this study, we explore the application of neutron grating interferometry and tomography techniques to identify Korean copper coins in the nineteenth century of Joseon period by investigating structural differences between genuine objects and replicas. Neutron grating interferometry provides the microstructural information of coins, including features such as pores and precipitates, through a dark field image derived from small-angle neutron scattering. Additionally, neutron transmission tomography examines the three-dimensional internal structures and potentially hidden features of coins. Both neutron imaging techniques highlight regions that contain lead precipitates in the copper alloy, showing consistent agreement with optical imaging and with the quantitative lead content measured by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The distinct corrosion patterns observed in the authentic coin and replica provide empirical explanations for the general corrosion mechanism of copper alloy. This interpretation finds support in the moderate contribution of dark field contrast from cuprite, which underlies the signal of lead precipitates.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99235-x
spellingShingle Youngju Kim
M. Cyrus Daugherty
Daniel S. Hussey
Jacob M. LaManna
David L. Jacobson
Jongyul Kim
Caitlyn M. Wolf
Paul A. Kienzle
Daeseung Kim
Minsu Han
Hahn Choo
Seung Wook Lee
TaeJoo Kim
Application of neutron grating interferometry and tomography to the nineteenth century Korean copper coins
Scientific Reports
title Application of neutron grating interferometry and tomography to the nineteenth century Korean copper coins
title_full Application of neutron grating interferometry and tomography to the nineteenth century Korean copper coins
title_fullStr Application of neutron grating interferometry and tomography to the nineteenth century Korean copper coins
title_full_unstemmed Application of neutron grating interferometry and tomography to the nineteenth century Korean copper coins
title_short Application of neutron grating interferometry and tomography to the nineteenth century Korean copper coins
title_sort application of neutron grating interferometry and tomography to the nineteenth century korean copper coins
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99235-x
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