Imaging the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore using cosmic rays

Area of Science:

• Engineering
• Physics
• Art History

Background:

• The dome of Florence Cathedral, engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi, is exhibiting structural cracks due to its own weight.
• Historical accounts suggest potential hidden reinforcement structures within the dome, but only a wooden chain is currently known.
• Understanding the dome's internal structure is crucial for its preservation and for validating historical engineering hypotheses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of using multiple scattering muon radiography for non-destructive imaging of the Florence Cathedral dome's interior.
• To investigate the presence and layout of potential hidden iron substructures within the dome.
• To develop and test a lightweight, modular muon radiography system for this application.

Main Methods:

• Multiple scattering muon radiography, a non-destructive imaging technique utilizing cosmic-ray muons.
• Demonstration measurements on a mock-up wall at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
• Construction of a lightweight and modular muon imaging system.

Main Results:

• Demonstration measurements on a mock-up wall successfully showed the feasibility of muon radiography for imaging internal structures.
• The study confirms the potential of muon radiography to ascertain the layout and status of substructures within thick walls.
• A functional imaging system is under construction, paving the way for in-situ measurements.

Conclusions:

• Multiple scattering muon radiography is a promising non-destructive technique for investigating the structural integrity and hidden components of historical structures like Florence Cathedral's dome.
• The developed imaging system and demonstrated feasibility provide a viable path for future detailed analysis of the dome.
• This research contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage through advanced physics applications.