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Neutron Radiography

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Neutron Imaging and Applications

Part of the book series: Neutron Scattering Applications and Techniques ((NEUSCATT))

Abstract

Neutron radiography and its related two-dimensional (2D) neutron imaging techniques have been established as invaluable nondestructive inspection methods and quantitative measurement tools. They have been used in a wide variety of applications ranging from inspection of aircraft engine turbine blades to study of two-phase fluid flow in operating proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Neutron radiography is similar to X-ray radiography in that the method produces a 2D attenuation map of neutron radiation that has penetrated the object being examined. However, the images produced differ and are often complementary due to the differences between X-ray and neutron interaction mechanisms. The uses and types of 2D neutron imaging have expanded over the past 15 years as a result of advances in imaging technology and improvements in neutron generators/sources and computers. Still, high-intensity sources such as those from reactors and spallation neutron sources, together with conventional film radiography, remain the mainstay of high-resolution, large field-of-view neutron imaging. This chapter presents a summary of the history, methods, and related variations of neutron radiography techniques.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    British Experimental Pile ‘0,’ the UK’s second reactor.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA

    A. K. Heller

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  1. A. K. Heller
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  2. J. S. Brenizer
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Correspondence to A. K. Heller .

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    Heller, A.K., Brenizer, J.S. (2009). Neutron Radiography. In: Bilheux, H., McGreevy, R., Anderson, I. (eds) Neutron Imaging and Applications. Neutron Scattering Applications and Techniques. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-78693-3_5

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