Design of a Pixelated Imaging System for Fast Neutron Sources

Abstract

Imaging detectors that use X-ray radiation and pulsed neutron sources have increased in sophistication in recent years due to the use of solid-state detectors. A key method for neutron detection is the nuclear activation of materials by neutrons. Neutron activation can generate radionuclides whose decay produces secondary particle emission that can be detected without interference from the X-rays and other prompt radiation sources and offers advantages over neutrons detection using scintillators. In this paper, we present the design of an imaging system for fast neutron sources. The imaging system utilizes a microcontroller network that communicates using a modified SPI protocol. This network communicates with an interface unit and passes an image to a personal computer. A computer program has been developed to reconstruct the image.