Performance Testing of Dysprosium-Based Scintillation Screens and Demonstration of Digital Transfer Method Neutron Radiography of Highly Radioactive Samples
[1];
- Idaho National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1625, MS 2211, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415, The Ohio State University, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Program, Columbus, Ohio 43210
- Idaho National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1625, MS 2211, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415
- Technische Universität München, Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (FRM II) and Faculty for Physics E21, Garching, Germany
- Idaho National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1625, MS 2211, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415, Idaho State University, College of Science and Engineering, Pocatello, Idaho 83209
Scintillator screens consisting of a dysprosium neutron converter and various scintillator materials were tested in the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum Forschungsreaktor München II (FRM II) ANTARES cold neutron beam with the goal of finding a suitable screen for digital transfer method neutron radiography. This work explores the cold neutron response of 16 scintillator screens, 7 of which were previously tested with thermal neutrons. Light yield, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and spatial resolution were measured to compare the scintillator screens and determine which were best suited for digital transfer method neutron radiography. Screens with a zinc sulfide (ZnS:Cu) scintillator were most suitable for digital transfer method radiography based on light output, spatial resolution, SNR, and gamma-ray insensitivity. Spatial resolutions between 65 and 220 µm were measured. The top-performing screens were then used to demonstrate the feasibility of a new digital transfer method neutron radiography to image highly radioactive (8.84 Sv/h at ˜1 cm) nuclear fuel at Idaho National Laboratory’s Neutron Radiography reactor (NRAD). These results suggest that digital transfer method neutron radiography can be used to indirectly image highly radioactive objects and/or use neutron beams with a large gamma-ray content on a timescale of ~10 min/image (~144 images/day), much faster than the >10 h required using the current transfer method with film (limited to ~14 radiographs/day at NRAD).
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- Work funded through the INL Laboratory Directed Research & Development (LDRD) Program under DOE Idaho Operations Office Contract DE-AC07-05ID14517. LDRD Project ID# 17A1-093FP.; AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1787414
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1797934
- Report Number(s):
- INL/CON-19-54507-Rev000; 5
- Journal Information:
- Nuclear Technology, Journal Name: Nuclear Technology Vol. 208 Journal Issue: 3; ISSN 0029-5450
- Publisher:
- Informa UK LimitedCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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