Neutron Radiography

Neutron radiography is a non-destructive imaging technique similar to x-ray imaging.  However, unlike x-ray imaging, where x-ray attenuation increases as they pass through denser, higher Z number materials, neutrons are attenuated by being absorbed.  Since an isotope’s neutron absorption cross section does not necessarily correspond to its Z number, many materials that can’t be imaged with x-rays or other imaging methods can be successfully imaged with neutrons.  The table below characterizes some of the parameters of the Reactor Lab’s neutron beam that can be used for radiography.