The Li- containing compounds as storage materials for slow neutron imaging

Full text: One of main problem of luminescent material investigation is find out new materials for storage and read out - photoluminescent imaging plates (IP). Slow neutron radiography and computer tomography has been a method for non-destructive testing. Commercially available neutron IP's are composed of fine mixture of well known storage phosphor BaFBr : Eu2+ and neutron convector (Gd2O3, LiF, B, In) powders in an organic binder. The main disadvantages of present neutron converter imagining systems are relatively low spatial resolution and high sensitivity to gamma rays. Prospective further development of slow neutron IP is elaboration of neutron active storage materials, based on Li and Ga compounds. Our results of investigation of LiBaF3 crystals show that this material is prospective for slow neutron energy storage-read-out materials. Strong absorption bands of F-centres arise after X-irradiation of LiBaF3 crystals. Optical bleaching at RT by selective stimulation in absorption bands of F-centres is accompanied by stimulated recombination luminescence and results in read-out almost all accumulated energy. As recombination centres act the activator ions (Ce, Eu)