Abstract
Neutron imaging is a new non-destructive testing method in wood science. It is similar to X-ray methods but with differing sensitivities for different elements. In this study, neutron imaging was used to ascertain the density profiles of thin spruce samples and compared with results generated with standard X-ray microdensitometry. Data obtained through neutron imaging were similar to those resulting from the X-ray method. The advantage of neutron imaging is its higher sensitivity to some elements such as hydrogen. Together with the high neutron-sensitivity of the applied detectors (imaging plates) this makes shorter exposure times possible, and yields more detailed information on the inner composition of wood. X-ray film, which is still most commonly used in X-ray densitometry, has the disadvantage that the relationship between the optical density of the film and the density of wood is non-linear. This means that corrections and calibration with step wedges are necessary, whereas with neutron imaging the digital values can be used directly to calculate the density at a certain point of the specimen. Thus neutron imaging appears to be an appropriate method, which can be used as complement to established X-ray methods for fast and straightforward investigations of tree rings, growth zones and wood density.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Amemiya Y, Miyahara J (1988) Imaging plate illuminates many fields. Nature 336(6194):89–90
Bascietto M, Cherubini P, Scarascia-Mugnozza G (2004) Tree rings from a European beech forest chronosequence are useful for detecting growth trends and carbon sequestration. Can J For Res 34:481–492
Bergsten U, Lindeberg J, Rindby A, Evans R (2001) Batch measurements of wood density on intact or prepared drill cores using x-ray microdensitometry. Wood Sci Technol 35:435–452
Cameron JF, Berry PF, Phillips EW (1959) The determination of wood density using beta rays. Holzforschung 13:78–84
Clauson ML, Wilson JB (1991) Comparison of video and x-ray for scanning wood density. For Prod J 41(3):58–62
Decoux V, Varcin E, Leban JM (2004) Relationship between the intra-ring wood density assessed by X-ray densitometry and optical anatomical measurements in conifers. Consequences for the cell wall apparent density determination. Ann For Sci 61:251–262
Eschbach W, Nogler P, Schär E, Schweingruber FH (1995) Technical advances in the radiodensitometrical determination of wood density. Dendrochronologia 13:155–168
Frey W (1984) Durch schneelast verursachte schäden in den fichten-aufforstungen von bleisa/pusserein 1981/82. Analyse, folgerungen, behandlungsvorschläge. Interner bericht Nr. 619, Eidgenössische Institut für Schnee- und Lawinenforschung, Davos, Switzerland
Hoag M, McKimmy MD (1988) Direct scanning x-ray densitometry of thin wood sections. For Prod J 38(1):23–26
Hughes MK (2002) Dendrochronology in climatology—the state of the art. Dendrochronologia 20:95–116
IPCC (2001) Climate change 2001: synthesis report. In: Watson R.T. and the Core Writing Team (eds) Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK
Koch M, Hunsche S, Schumacher P, Nuss MC, Feldmann J, Fromm J (1998) THz-imaging: a new method for density mapping of wood. Wood Sci Technol 32:421–427
Koenig J, Guenther B, Bues CT (2005) New multivariate cross-correlation analysis. TRACE 53(3):159–166
Kollmann FFP, Côté WA Jr (1968) Principles of wood science and technology. Vol. I: solid wood. Springer, Heidelberg, p 592
Lehmann E, Vontobel P, Wiezel L (1999) Properties of the radiography facility NEUTRA at SINQ and its potential for use as European reference facility. Proc. 6th World Conf. On Neutron Radiography, Osaka 1999
Lehmann E, Vontobel P, Scherrer P, Niemz P (2001) Anwendung der methode der neutronenradiographie zur analyse von holzeigenschaften. Holz als Roh- Werkstoff 59:463–471
Lenz O, Schaer E, Schweingruber FH (1976) Methodische probleme bei der radiographisch-densitometrischen Bestimmung der Dichte und der Jahrringbreiten von Holz. Holzforschung 30:114–123
Lesnino G (1994) The laser-sandblasting method: a new method for the qualitative annual ring analysis of conifers. Wood Sci Technol 28:159–171
Lohmann U, et al. (2003) Holz-Lexikon, 4th edn., vol I. DRW, Leinfelden-Echterdingen
Mannes D (2006) Investigation of wood properties by means of neutron imaging techniques. Proc. 6th International PhD Symposium in Civil Engineering, Zurich 2006
Moschler WW, Winistorfer PM (1990) Direct scanning densitometry: an effect of sample heterogeneity and aperture area. Wood Fiber Sci 22(1):31–38
Park WK, Telewski FW (1993) Measuring maximum latewood density by image-analysis at the cellular level. Wood Fiber Sci 25(4):326–332
Parker ML, Schoorlemmer J, Carver LJ (1973) Computerized scanning densitometer for automatic recording of tree ring width and density data from X-ray negatives. Wood Fiber 5(3):237–248
Polge H (1964) Structural analysis of wood by densitometric studies of radiographs. Joyce Loebl Review
Polge H (1965) New investigations on wood by densitometric analysis of radiographs. Joyce Loebl Review
Polge H (1966) Etablissement des courbes de variation de la densité du bois par exploration densitométrique de radiographies d’échantillons prélevés à la tarière sur des arbres vivants. Applications dans les domains technologiques et physiologiques. PhD Thesis University of Nancy (F)
Polge H (1978) Fifteen years of wood radiation densitometry. Wood Sci Technol 12:187–196
Rinn F, Schweingruber FH, Schär E (1996) Resistograph and X-ray density charts of wood comparative evaluation of drill resistance profiles and X-ray density charts of different wood species. Holzforschung 50(4):303–311
Rudman P, McKinnell F, Higgs M (1969) Quantitative determination of wood density by X-ray densitometry. J Inst Wood Sci 24(6):37–43
Schillinger B, Abele H, Brunner J, Frei G, Gähler R, Gildemeister A, Hillenbach A, Lehmann E, Vontobel P (2005) Detection systems for short-time stroboscopic neutron imaging and measurements on a rotating engine. Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res A 542(1–3):142–147
Schinker MG, Hansen N, Spiecker H (2003) High-frequency densitometry—a new method fort he rapid evaluation of wood density variations. IAWA J 24(3):231–239
Schulz H (1985) Härteprofile als Hinweis auf verschiedene Festigkeitssysteme im Holz. Holz als Roh Werkstoff 43:212–222
Schweingruber FH, Fritts HC, Bräker OU, Drew LG, Schär E (1978) The X-ray technique as applied to dendroclimatology. Tree-Ring Bull 38:61–91
Sheppard PR, Graumlich LJ, Conkey LE (1996) Reflected-light image analysis of conifer tree rings for reconstructing climate. Holocene 6(1):62–68
Tazaki S, Neriishi K, Takahashi K, Etoh M, Karasawa Y, Kumazawa S, Niimura N (1999) Development of a new type of imaging plate for neutron detection. Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res A 424:20–25
Tiitta M, Olkkonen H, Kanko T (1996) Veneer sheet density measurement by the 55Fe gamma attenuation method. Holz als Roh Werkstoff 54:81–84
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
An erratum to this article can be found online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00468-009-0368-2.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mannes, D., Lehmann, E., Cherubini, P. et al. Neutron imaging versus standard X-ray densitometry as method to measure tree-ring wood density. Trees 21, 605–612 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-007-0149-8
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-007-0149-8