A neutron imaging system that includes a central neutron source configured to produce source neutrons, wherein the central neutron source comprises a beam target, a moderator chamber surrounding at least a portion of the beam target, the moderator chamber housing a moderator, and a re-entrant cone extending into the moderator chamber. The re-entrant cone includes an entrance surface facing the beam target. The entrance surface encloses a cone chamber, isolating the cone chamber from the moderator. Furthermore, the entrance surface is shaped such that source neutrons produced at the beam target impinge the entrance surface with a neutron flux that varies by 10% or less along the entrance surface.

A neutron imaging system that includes a central neutron source configured to produce source neutrons, wherein the central neutron source comprises a beam target, a moderator chamber surrounding at least a portion of the beam target, the moderator chamber housing a moderator, and a re-entrant cone extending into the moderator chamber. The re-entrant cone includes an entrance surface facing the beam target. The entrance surface encloses a cone chamber, isolating the cone chamber from the moderator. Furthermore, the entrance surface is shaped such that source neutrons produced at the beam target impinge the entrance surface with a neutron flux that varies by 10% or less along the entrance surface.

A non-destructive inspection system 1 includes a neutron radiation source 3 capable of emitting neutrons N, and a neutron detector 14 capable of detecting neutrons Nb produced via an inspection object 6a among neutrons N emitted from the neutron radiation source 3. The neutron radiation source 3 includes a linear accelerator 11 capable of emitting charged particles P accelerated; a first magnet section 12 including magnets 12a and 12b facing each other, the magnets 12a and 12b being capable of deflecting the charged particles P in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of emission of the charged particles P from the linear accelerator 11; and a target section 13 capable of producing neutrons N by being irradiated with the charged particles P that have passed through the first magnet section 12.

A non-destructive inspection system 1 includes a neutron radiation source 3 capable of emitting neutrons N, and a neutron detector 14 capable of detecting neutrons Nb produced via an inspection object 6a among neutrons N emitted from the neutron radiation source 3. The neutron radiation source 3 includes a linear accelerator 11 capable of emitting charged particles P accelerated; a first magnet section 12 including magnets 12a and 12b facing each other, the magnets 12a and 12b being capable of deflecting the charged particles P in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of emission of the charged particles P from the linear accelerator 11; and a target section 13 capable of producing neutrons N by being irradiated with the charged particles P that have passed through the first magnet section 12.

A compact and small size multichannel collimator for neutrons with energies up to 50 keV is provided. The collimator has a multichannel structure composed of collimating channels (in air, vacuum or in the non-interacting atmosphere of Helium-4) alternating with “full” channels made with absorbent materials for slow neutrons. The geometry of the individual collimating and absorbing channels can be arbitrary. The geometry with channels of square section, such as to create a perfect checkerboard, is preferred from the point of view of ease of construction.

A compact and small size multichannel collimator for neutrons with energies up to 50 keV is provided. The collimator has a multichannel structure composed of collimating channels (in air, vacuum or in the non-interacting atmosphere of Helium-4) alternating with “full” channels made with absorbent materials for slow neutrons. The geometry of the individual collimating and absorbing channels can be arbitrary. The geometry with channels of square section, such as to create a perfect checkerboard, is preferred from the point of view of ease of construction.

Various examples are provided for portable neutron imaging. In one example, a portable neutron-imaging system is described. A compact neutron source assembly can comprise an ion-beam bombardment source generating an isotropic source of monoenergetic neutrons. The neutron-imaging system does not include a moderator or collimator. Instead, the emission source and image-capture apparatus are placed in close proximity to an object to be imaged. Quality images were obtained with short exposure times of less than 20 seconds.

Various examples are provided for portable neutron imaging. In one example, a portable neutron-imaging system is described. A compact neutron source assembly can comprise an ion-beam bombardment source generating an isotropic source of monoenergetic neutrons. The neutron-imaging system does not include a moderator or collimator. Instead, the emission source and image-capture apparatus are placed in close proximity to an object to be imaged. Quality images were obtained with short exposure times of less than 20 seconds.

The present disclosure provides a dual mode detection method, controller and system, which relates to the technical field of radiation detection. The dual mode detection method of the present disclosure includes: determining a ratio of neutron to X-ray differential cross sections of an inspected object, according to X-ray object detection data, X-ray object-free detection data, neutron object detection data, and neutron object-free detection data; determining a substance type of the inspected object according to a correspondence between the ratio of neutron to X-ray differential cross sections of the inspected object and the substance type.

The present disclosure provides a dual mode detection method, controller and system, which relates to the technical field of radiation detection. The dual mode detection method of the present disclosure includes: determining a ratio of neutron to X-ray differential cross sections of an inspected object, according to X-ray object detection data, X-ray object-free detection data, neutron object detection data, and neutron object-free detection data; determining a substance type of the inspected object according to a correspondence between the ratio of neutron to X-ray differential cross sections of the inspected object and the substance type.