Neutron imaging—detector options and practical results

For many years, the major detection system for neutron radiography consisted in an X-ray film, where the conversion from neutrons to detectable radiation was made with a metallic layer of Gd, Dy or In. With this method, high spatial resolution was achieved, only limited by the beam properties of the radiography facilities. This situation has changed when digital detection systems became available, enabling much higher sensitivities, larger dynamic ranges and the opportunity to use the digital image information for more quantitative evaluations. The article describes the performance of neutron imaging systems and gives an overview of existing and potential application of radiography and tomography with neutrons.