Reconstruction algorithm for point source neutron imaging through finite thickness scintillator

A new inversion algorithm based on the maximum entropy method (MEM) is proposed to remove unwanted effects in fast neutron imaging which result from an uncollimated source interacting with a finitely thick scintillator. The algorithm takes as an input the image from the thick scintillator (TS) and the radiography setup geometry. The algorithm then outputs a restored image which appears as if taken with an infinitesimally thin scintillator (ITS). The inversion is accomplished by numerically generating a probabilistic model relating the ITS image to the TS image and then inverting this model on the TS image through MEM. Algorithm details as well as numerical results using MCNP simulated images are presented. This reconstruction technique can reduce the exposure time or the required source intensity without undesirable object blurring on the image by allowing the use of both thicker scintillators with higher efficiencies and closer source-to-detector distances to maximize incident radiation flux. The technique should also be applicable to high energy gamma or x-ray radiography using thick scintillators.