Measurement of fast neutron by using imaging plate

Measurements of yield and spatial distribution of fast neutrons are of extreme importance in the inertial confinement fusion research to estimate the spatial distribution of temperature in core plasma. In experiments using an ultra intense laser light such as fast ignition research, strong electromagnetic pulses generated by the laser irradiation make it very difficult to use a detector with an electric circuit. In order to avoid this problem, we have developed several detectors to measure fast electrons, X-ray, and so on under these environments using an imaging plate (IP). Here, we demonstrate the simple fast neutron detection method by using a stack of IPs. In the experiment using a monochromatic 14MeV neutron source, the IP has linear response to quantity of incident neutrons within the fluence from 104 to 109. The minimum neutron yield measurable by the detector is estimated to 103 or less depending on detection efficiency.