Imaging performance of imaging plate neutron detectors

A new series of experimental imaging plate neutron detectors (IP-NDs) were made, where the composition of the respective IP-NDs, containing a photostimulable BaFBr:Eu2+ phosphor and a neutron converter material, Gd2O3 or 6LiF, were varied systematically. The different conversion processes between natural abundant Gd and 6Li caused distinct imaging properties. The imaging steps and the factors governing the image quality are considered in the same way as X-ray radiography, and the quantum noise is estimated by the effective neutron absorption in these IP-NDs when they are read by a BAS2000 image reader. From this point of view, Gd is superior to 6Li, but 6Li is expected to be more suited to imaging than Gd in higher γ-ray to neutron ratios because of its higher amplification rate in the conversion and excitation process. (orig.)