Portable, fast-neutron tomography with an isotopic source and organic scintillation detectors

Abstract

This paper describes the use of fast neutrons and a small number of organic liquid scintillation detectors to realize real-time, in-situ fast neutron tomography. The aim of the research was to determine whether fast neutron tomography can be achieved with an isotopic source and relatively few organic liquid scintillation detectors as opposed to the usual requirement of installed facilities. A system has been designed comprising 7 liquid scintillation counters, rotary table, solid water collimator and reconstruction processing. A number of experiments have been carried out with two concrete samples to determine whether solid/hollow characteristics n cylindrical samples can be discerned. The data indicate significant potential, highlighting the possibility of portable, in-situ fast neutron tomography of samples without the need for a reactor, beam-line, scintillation screen or CCD camera.