Improvement in the spatial resolution for imaging with fast neutrons

Lehmann, Eberhard H.; Mannes, David; Strobl, Markus; Walfort, Bernhard; Losko, Adrian; Schillinger, Burkhard; Schulz, Michael; Vogel, Sven C.; Schaper, Danielle; Gautier, Donald Cort; Newmark, Darcy Angelie

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2020.164809

DOE OSTI · 1699494

Improvement in the spatial resolution for imaging with fast neutrons

Lehmann, Eberhard H.·Mannes, David·Strobl, Markus·Walfort, Bernhard·Losko, Adrian·Schillinger, Burkhard·Schulz, Michael·Vogel, Sven C.·Schaper, Danielle·Gautier, Donald Cort·Newmark, Darcy Angelie

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Abstract

In this paper, we report on the realization of an improved concept for the detection of fast neutrons using a specific setup of scintillators with the aim to overcome limitations in spatial resolution. While fast neutron imaging (FNI) is a technique to investigate very thick material layers in transmission mode, currently there is a limit in the spatial resolution at ~1 mm, which hinders the performance for the detection of features like cracks, material damage or pores in large objects ($\gg$1 cm 3 ). The improved concept presented here is based on the separation of the converter material from the scintillation layer in a suitable way, which was successfully tested and referenced to the standard devices at the NECTAR facility (FRM-2, MLZ, Garching) under realistic beamline conditions. The results imply a break-through in enabling detection of structures on the order of 0.2 to 0.5 mm (a more precise estimation is not possible due to other resolution determing factors in a realistic setup). Potential additional improvements are discussed.

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46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Camera based setup Fast neutrons Neutron scattering Recoil protons Scintillation detector Spatial resolution Transmission

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Lehmann, Eberhard H., Mannes, David, Strobl, Markus, Walfort, Bernhard, Losko, Adrian, Schillinger, Burkhard, Schulz, Michael, Vogel, Sven C., Schaper, Danielle, Gautier, Donald Cort, Newmark, Darcy Angelie. 2020-10-27. Improvement in the spatial resolution for imaging with fast neutrons. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2020.164809

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