The Bimodal Neutron and X-ray Imaging Driven by a Single Electron Linear Accelerator

Abstract

Both X-ray imaging and neutron imaging are essential methods in non-destructive testing. In this work, a bimodal imaging method combining neutron and X-ray imaging is introduced. The experiment is based on a small electron accelerator-based photoneutron source that can simultaneously generate the following two kinds of radiations: X-ray and neutron. This identification method utilizes the attenuation difference of the two rays’ incidence on the same material to determine the material’s properties based on dual-imaging fusion. It can enhance the identification of the materials from single ray imaging and has the potential for widespread use in on-site, non-destructive testing where metallic materials and non-metallic materials are mixed.

Keywords

• bimodal imaging
• compact neutron source
• neutron imaging
• X-ray imaging
• image fusion