This paper describes an overview of our recent discovery – clear
demonstration that LiF crystals can be efficiently used as a high-performance neutron
imaging detector based on optically stimulated luminescence of color centers
generated by neutron irradiation. It is shown that the neutron images we have
obtained are almost free from granular noise, have a spatial resolution of
${\sim}5.4~{\rm\mu}\text{m}$
and a linear response with a dynamic range of at least
$10^{3}$
. The high contrast and good sensitivity of LiF crystals allow us to
distinguish two holes with less than 2% transmittance difference. We propose to use
such detectors in areas where high spatial resolution with high image gradation
resolution is needed, including diagnostics of different plasma sources such as laser
and z-pinch produced plasmas.
A new pad-based neutron detector for stereo coded-aperture thermal neutron imaging
