Neutron Imaging at Compact Accelerator-Driven Neutron Sources in Japan

Yoshiaki Kiyanagi

doi:10.3390/jimaging4040055

Abstract

Neutron imaging has been recognized to be very useful to investigate inside of materials and products that cannot be seen by X-ray. New imaging methods using the pulsed structure of neutron sources based on accelerators has been developed also at compact accelerator-driven neutron sources and opened new application fields in neutron imaging. The world’s first dedicated imaging instrument at pulsed neutron sources was constructed at J-PARC in Japan owing to the development of such new methods. Then, usefulness of the compact accelerator-driven neutron sources in neutron science was recognized and such facilities were newly constructed in Japan. Now, existing and new sources have been used for neutron imaging. Traditional imaging and newly developed pulsed neutron imaging such as Bragg edge transmission have been applied to various fields by using compact and large neutron facilities. Here, compact accelerator-driven neutron sources used for imaging in Japan are introduced and some of their activities are presented.

Highlights

Neutron imaging in Japan has been used mainly for inspection of industrial products and for visualizing distribution or movement of hydrogenous materials [1] and this situation is similar to the rest of the world [2]
The neutron flux was highest at JRR-3 and medium flux is attained at KUR more flexible measurements are possible at KUR
A new imaging method using pulsed structure of the neutron source was developed at a compact accelerator-driven neutron source at Hokkaido University, Hokkaido University Neutron Source (HUNS) [3]

Summary

Introduction

Neutron imaging in Japan has been used mainly for inspection of industrial products and for visualizing distribution or movement of hydrogenous materials [1] and this situation is similar to the rest of the world [2]. The neutron flux was highest at JRR-3 and medium flux is attained at KUR more flexible measurements are possible at KUR These two facilities have supported imaging measurements in Japan for a long time. A new imaging method using pulsed structure of the neutron source was developed at a compact accelerator-driven neutron source at Hokkaido University, HUNS [3]. This new method enabled us to reveal crystallographic characteristics of materials, and to perform elemental analysis, temperature measurements, and magnetic field measurements, for example.

Neutron Facilities in Japan

Compact Accelerator-Driven Neutron Sources and Their Activities

Aomori Prefecture Quantum Science Center

He Gas chamber

Summary