A large area fast neutron detector based on an amorphous silicon pixel array and reflective telescope optics

This study presents an optical solution to the dilemma of producing a large area fast neutron detector based on light-emitting converters and amorphous silicon flat panel pixel array. The imaging system described allows the placing of large area detectors away from the path of the primary neutron beam. This has the benefit of significantly reducing the exposure of the detector electronics to the neutron beam, thus increasing the lifetime of the detector. A large area position-sensitive detector enables one to probe large objects without being concerned about the demagnification required for CCD-based detectors and hence the associated signal and image resolution losses. In this paper we discuss the use of a focusing telescope mirror, in a number of configurations, to remove the need for lens-based intensified CCD detector systems.