A cooled CCD based neutron imaging system for low fluence neutron sources

We have developed a neutron detection system for accelerator based neutron radiography and tomography based on a combination of scintillation screen and large aperture optics and a cooled CCD camera. The system is capable of detecting single neutron events and can therefore be considered as a possible detector for neutron scattering as well as conventional imaging. The system has a resolution of 0.1 mm or 1242/spl times/1152 pixels. The limit of image size is set by the light output of the scintillator, the light collection of the optical system, the size of the CCD and the desired signal to noise ratio. The lower limit on neutron flux is determined by the dark current of the chip. Equations for these limits have been derived and can be used to predict and optimize performance. The scintillation light output per incident neutron is large enough to permit the use of lens coupled systems with their increased flexibility and ease of implementation. The system can approach a quantum limited noise level, depending on the particular geometry used. For our current system, based on the use of NE-426 scintillator, a 1242/spl times/1152 pixel (27.9/spl times/25.9 mm) EEV 05-30 CCD operating at -50C, and using a 100 mm focal length, F/0.9 lens, the maximum size for the imaging screen is 0.7 m (based on 10 photoelectrons for a single detected neutron), and the lower limit for flux is 0.1 n/pixel/s based on this size screen and a typical dark current of 1 e/pixel/s.