Research and Development of a Non-Destructive Inspection Technique with a Compact Neutron Source

Abstract

Neutrons have the power to penetrate metals or heavy elements such as calcium, silicon, and iron. Neutrons also have high sensitivity, so they can be used to detect elements such as boron and chlorine. An accelerator-driven, compact neutron system has been developed in RIKEN for practical use on job sites.

In this paper, a pixel imaging detector for fast neutrons with energy levels above 1 MeV is developed and used to produce images of an iron rod and air pockets through 30 cm of concrete. Also, the salt concentrations of 4 cm- and 5 cm-thick mortar blocks are measured, and a correlation diagram is obtained for up to 1 kg/m³.