Thermal neutron imaging using microchannel plates

George W. Fraser; James F. Pearson; Okla S. Al-Horayess; W. Bruce Feller; Lee M. Cook

doi:10.1117/12.138671

2 February 1993 Thermal neutron imaging using microchannel plates

George W. Fraser, James F. Pearson, Okla S. Al-Horayess, W. Bruce Feller, Lee M. Cook

Proceedings Volume 1737, Neutrons, X Rays, and Gamma Rays: Imaging Detectors, Material Characterization Techniques, and Applications; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.138671
Event: San Diego '92, 1992, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Microchannel plates (MCPs) are compact electron multipliers of high gain, widely used for the high resolution imaging of charged particles and photons. In this paper, we consider the use of lead glass MCPs for the imaging of thermal neutrons. Two contrasting techniques are described. The first method involves direct neutron detection within a special channel plate structure containing lithium and/or boron. We review the constraints of glass chemistry on the attainable lithium oxide and boron oxide fractions and, hence, on the maximum neutron detection efficiency. The second method involves the detection, using MCPs of standard glass composition, of the internal conversion electrons from a thin gadolinium foil. We present the first measurements of the detection efficiency, pulse height resolution and imaging properties of a pulse-counting MCP/Gd detector system.

Citation Download Citation

George W. Fraser, James F. Pearson, Okla S. Al-Horayess, W. Bruce Feller, and Lee M. Cook "Thermal neutron imaging using microchannel plates", Proc. SPIE 1737, Neutrons, X Rays, and Gamma Rays: Imaging Detectors, Material Characterization Techniques, and Applications, (2 February 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.138671

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