$$^{10}$$ B-doped MCP detector developed for neutron resonance imaging at Back-n white neutron source

Abstract

Neutron resonance imaging (NRI) has recently emerged as an appealing technique for neutron radiography. Its complexity surpasses that of conventional transmission imaging, as it requires a high demand for both a neutron source and detector. Consequently, the progression of NRI technology has been sluggish since its inception in the 1980s, particularly considering the limited studies analyzing the neutron energy range above keV. The white neutron source (Back-n) at the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) provides favorable beam conditions for the development of the NRI technique over a wide neutron energy range from eV to MeV. Neutron-sensitive microchannel plates (MCP) have emerged as a cutting-edge tool in the field of neutron detection owing to their high temporal and spatial resolutions, high detection efficiency, and low noise. In this study, we report the development of a \(^{10}\)B-doped MCP detector, along with its associated electronics, data processing system, and NRI experiments at the Back-n. Individual heavy elements such as gold, silver, tungsten, and indium can be easily identified in the transmission images by their characteristic resonance peaks in the 1–100 eV energy range; the more difficult medium-weight elements such as iron, copper, and aluminum with resonance peaks in the 1–100 keV energy range can also be identified. In particular, results in the neutron energy range of dozens of keV (Aluminum) are reported here for the first time.