Abstract
In this special issue, the present status and the prospects of applications of laser driven neutron sources
are reviewed. In particular, the unique applications related to the merits of laser neutron sources, such as
compactness of system size, short pulse, and small source size. As an example, the neutron resonance
absorption radiography is described, which will be applied to diagnose elemental distributions in massive
objectives. The useful resonance lines for this applications are shown in the figure. The contents of the
following chapters are 1) Status of R&D of neutron optics and diagnostics, 2) Compact moderator design
for laser neutron source, 3) Examples of academic, industrial, and medical applications of compact
accelerator driven neutron sources, 4) Industrial applications in UK, and so on.
