A feasibility study on the utilization of neutron generators in thermal neutron imaging

Neutron radiography is an important nondestructive tool for analyzing both light and heavy elements. Most of the neutron radiography systems utilize research reactors as the source of neutrons. A feasibility study is presented in this work for designing a low-cost and efficient radiography system using a Deuteron-Deuteron neutron generator. The simulation software MCNP5 was utilized in this study to obtain an optimal moderator thickness to thermalized the fast neutrons and a shielding design needed to minimize the neutrons and gamma rays in the camera. A study was also made to test the sensitivity of the imaging system to different crack sizes in the sample and the sample activation due to neutron irradiation.