Structured LiI scintillator for thermal neutron imaging

We are currently developing, high resolution, high efficiency, micro-columnar LiI films for thermal neutron imaging. The films are produced by the vapor deposition of LiI on a fiberoptic substrate and hermetically sealed in a specially designed aluminum package. Our work has produced up to 1.2 mm thick films with column diameters of approximately 30 /spl mu/m. We have also performed imaging studies by optically coupling some of these films to a fiberoptic taper based CCD. The imaging performance of the system was experimentally evaluated at Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc., as well as at the thermal neutron port of the University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Reactor. The LiI films exhibited excellent scintillation characteristics with a spatial resolution as high as 4.5 Ip/mm. This paper outlines the film characterization and performance evaluation conducted during the course of the study. The new sensor described is expected to usher in the development of large area, high-resolution digital thermal neutron detectors with improved detection efficiency, dynamic range, and faster readout times than the current sensors.