Edge Refraction Contrast Imaging on a Coventional Neutron Diffractometer Employing Dispersive Double-Crystal Monochromator

Abstract

Slits and macroscopic objects such as edges give rise to interference effects when a coherent neutron (or X-ray) beam propagates through an investigated sample. These phenomena are effectively used in the so called phase-contrast imaging. In addition to the absorption contrast in the conventional radiography it exploits also these contributions from the induced phase shifts. However, the used radiation has to possess a sufficiently high spatial coherence. In this contribution we present a special neutron diffractometer performance (in two alternatives A and B) based on two bent perfect Si crystals which provides a high spatial coherence beam of sufficient intensity which could be potentially used in some phase contrast radiography experiments.