Neutron detection with imaging plates Part I. Image storage and readout

The detection of neutrons with imaging plates is based on a sequence of physical processes, which are happening during the neutron exposure and the readout of the image information. These processes are investigated in detail starting with the neutron absorption and conversion to secondary radiation by various neutron converter materials and ending with the detection of the photostimulated luminescence, which is emitted during the readout. It is shown that these processes can be quantified by several key parameters, such as i.e. the neutron absorption cross section, the emitted secondary energy and the conversion efficiency of released secondary energy to storage centers in the storage phosphor. The resulting detector characteristics are described in the second part, namely, Neutron detection with imaging plates – part II: detector characteristics [Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A 424 (1999) 34–39].