Belfast, August 15, 2017 - A set of 13 sixteenth century Italian wind instruments has been brought back to life thanks to the unique skills of specialist Swiss restorers and the high sensitivity and dynamic range of the Andor iKon-L CCD camera. The resulting intensely-detailed 3D models of the composite wood, metal and leather structures provided valuable information about the construction methods of the original instrument makers and were used to guide their restoration in Basel, Switzerland.
Following the discovery of the instruments in the library of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, Italy, each was subjected to non-invasive and non-destructive X-ray and neutron beam tomography and radiography imaging at the Paul Scherrer Institute’s SINQ (Swiss Spallation Neutron Source) in Switzerland. An Andor iKon-L CCD camera and scintillator captured the signals in both neutron and X-ray set-ups to characterise and model the original construction and internal structure of the instruments, and catalogue the damage and deterioration wrought by the passage of time.
“The large sensor of the Andor iKon-L brings outstanding resolution, sensitivity and dynamic range, providing new and exact conformational information on these valuable, historical musical artefacts,” says Dr Giulia Festa of the Department of Physics at the University of Rome. “The information about construction techniques is of great significance for sound quality. In particular, we can see in detail how the finger holes were shaped, the adjustments made in the main borehole design to improve the tonal quality of the instruments, and the deterioration that has occurred over hundreds of years. Using this data, we can now reconstruct for the first time what they would have sounded like when first played.”
Frontal and lateral neutron and X-ray radiographies were performed for each instrument and neutron and X-ray tomographies on the transverse flute were also performed. The combination of the neutron and X-ray techniques, with their complementary penetrative powers, allowed analysis of the internal structure, especially the structure of the finger holes and main bore hole, with the neutron characterisation showing the effect of wood deformations and providing the wood fibre displacement data.
According to Antoine Varagnat of Andor, “The work of Dr Festa and her team, together with the skills of the SINQ scientists and restorers, shows that the combined use of neutron and X-ray techniques provides unique information on the conformation of historical musical instruments. We are proud that the high performance Andor iKon-L camera could play a part in this effort and help to better define future restoration techniques.”
To learn more about the iKon-L series and other Andor scientific cameras, please visit the Andor website (http://www.andor.com).
Reference
1. G. Festa, G. Tardino, L. Pontecorvo, D.C. Mannes, R. Senesi, G. Gorini, and C. Andreani. “Neutrons and music: Imaging investigation of ancient wind musical Instruments” Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 336 (2014) 63–69
About Andor
Andor is a global leader in the pioneering and manufacturing of high performance scientific imaging cameras, spectroscopy solutions and microscopy systems for research and OEM markets. Andor has been innovating the photonics industry for over 20 years and continues to set the standard for high performance light measuring solutions, enabling its customers to break new ground by performing light measurements previously considered impossible. Andor’s digital cameras, are allowing scientists around the world to measure light down to a single photon and capture events occurring within 1 billionth of a second.
Andor now has over 400 staff across 16 offices worldwide, distributing products to over 10,000 customers in 55 countries. Andor’s products are used in a wide range of applications including medical research to further the understanding of heart disease, cancer and neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Andor also has applications for forensic science and astronomy. Through continuous dialogue with customers and strong teamwork, Andor continues to innovate ground-breaking products that improve the world in which we live.
About Oxford Instruments plc
Oxford Instruments designs, supplies and supports high-technology tools and systems with a focus on research and industrial applications. Innovation has been the driving force behind Oxford Instruments' growth and success for over 50 years, and its strategy is to effect the successful commercialisation of these ideas by bringing them to market in a timely and customer-focused fashion.
The first technology business to be spun out from Oxford University, Oxford Instruments is now a global company with over 2000 staff worldwide. Its objective is to be the leading provider of new generation tools and systems for the research and industrial sectors with a focus on nanotechnology. Its key market sectors include nano-fabrication and nano-materials. The company’s strategy is to expand the business into the life sciences arena, where nanotechnology and biotechnology intersect.
This involves the combination of core technologies in areas such as low temperature, high magnetic field and ultra-high vacuum environments; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; x-ray, electron, laser and optical based metrology; atomic force microscopy; optical imaging; advanced growth, deposition and etching.
Oxford Instruments aims to pursue responsible development and deeper understanding of our world through science and technology. Its products, expertise, and ideas address global issues such as energy, environment, security and health.
Following the discovery of the instruments in the library of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, Italy, each was subjected to non-invasive and non-destructive X-ray and neutron beam tomography and radiography imaging at the Paul Scherrer Institute’s SINQ (Swiss Spallation Neutron Source) in Switzerland. An Andor iKon-L CCD camera and scintillator captured the signals in both neutron and X-ray set-ups to characterise and model the original construction and internal structure of the instruments, and catalogue the damage and deterioration wrought by the passage of time.
“The large sensor of the Andor iKon-L brings outstanding resolution, sensitivity and dynamic range, providing new and exact conformational information on these valuable, historical musical artefacts,” says Dr Giulia Festa of the Department of Physics at the University of Rome. “The information about construction techniques is of great significance for sound quality. In particular, we can see in detail how the finger holes were shaped, the adjustments made in the main borehole design to improve the tonal quality of the instruments, and the deterioration that has occurred over hundreds of years. Using this data, we can now reconstruct for the first time what they would have sounded like when first played.”
Frontal and lateral neutron and X-ray radiographies were performed for each instrument and neutron and X-ray tomographies on the transverse flute were also performed. The combination of the neutron and X-ray techniques, with their complementary penetrative powers, allowed analysis of the internal structure, especially the structure of the finger holes and main bore hole, with the neutron characterisation showing the effect of wood deformations and providing the wood fibre displacement data.
According to Antoine Varagnat of Andor, “The work of Dr Festa and her team, together with the skills of the SINQ scientists and restorers, shows that the combined use of neutron and X-ray techniques provides unique information on the conformation of historical musical instruments. We are proud that the high performance Andor iKon-L camera could play a part in this effort and help to better define future restoration techniques.”
To learn more about the iKon-L series and other Andor scientific cameras, please visit the Andor website (http://www.andor.com).
Reference
1. G. Festa, G. Tardino, L. Pontecorvo, D.C. Mannes, R. Senesi, G. Gorini, and C. Andreani. “Neutrons and music: Imaging investigation of ancient wind musical Instruments” Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 336 (2014) 63–69
About Andor
Andor is a global leader in the pioneering and manufacturing of high performance scientific imaging cameras, spectroscopy solutions and microscopy systems for research and OEM markets. Andor has been innovating the photonics industry for over 20 years and continues to set the standard for high performance light measuring solutions, enabling its customers to break new ground by performing light measurements previously considered impossible. Andor’s digital cameras, are allowing scientists around the world to measure light down to a single photon and capture events occurring within 1 billionth of a second.
Andor now has over 400 staff across 16 offices worldwide, distributing products to over 10,000 customers in 55 countries. Andor’s products are used in a wide range of applications including medical research to further the understanding of heart disease, cancer and neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Andor also has applications for forensic science and astronomy. Through continuous dialogue with customers and strong teamwork, Andor continues to innovate ground-breaking products that improve the world in which we live.
About Oxford Instruments plc
Oxford Instruments designs, supplies and supports high-technology tools and systems with a focus on research and industrial applications. Innovation has been the driving force behind Oxford Instruments' growth and success for over 50 years, and its strategy is to effect the successful commercialisation of these ideas by bringing them to market in a timely and customer-focused fashion.
The first technology business to be spun out from Oxford University, Oxford Instruments is now a global company with over 2000 staff worldwide. Its objective is to be the leading provider of new generation tools and systems for the research and industrial sectors with a focus on nanotechnology. Its key market sectors include nano-fabrication and nano-materials. The company’s strategy is to expand the business into the life sciences arena, where nanotechnology and biotechnology intersect.
This involves the combination of core technologies in areas such as low temperature, high magnetic field and ultra-high vacuum environments; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; x-ray, electron, laser and optical based metrology; atomic force microscopy; optical imaging; advanced growth, deposition and etching.
Oxford Instruments aims to pursue responsible development and deeper understanding of our world through science and technology. Its products, expertise, and ideas address global issues such as energy, environment, security and health.
