title: A Monte Carlo study of the effect of coded-aperture material and thickness on neutron imaging.
abstract: In this paper, a coded-aperture design for a scintillator-based neutron imaging system has been simulated using a series of Monte Carlo simulations. Using Monte Carlo simulations, work to optimise a system making use of the EJ-426 neutron scintillator detector has been conducted. This type of scintillator has a low sensitivity to gamma rays and is therefore particularly useful for neutron detection in a mixed radiation environment. Simulations have been conducted using varying coded-aperture materials and different coded-aperture thicknesses. From this, neutron images have been produced, compared qualitatively and quantitatively for each case to find the best material for the MURA (modified uniformly redundant array) pattern. The neutron images generated also allow observations on how differing thicknesses of coded-aperture impact the system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YR, UK.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YR, UK k.gamage@lancaster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: K A A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Gamage
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000737:chemistry; D005720:Gamma Rays; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009502:Neutrons; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012588:Scintillation Counting
chemical_list: D005682:Gadolinium