10B-doped MCP detector developed for neutron resonance imaging at Back-n white neutron source

Neutron resonance imaging(NRI)has recently emerged as an appealing technique for neutron radiography.Its complexity surpasses that of conventional transmission imaging,as it requires a high demand for both a neutron source and detector.Consequently,the progression of NRI technology has been sluggish since its inception in the 1980s,particularly considering the limited studies analyzing the neutron energy range above keV.The white neutron source(Back-n)at the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS)provides favorable beam conditions for the development of the NRI technique over a wide neutron energy range from eV to MeV.Neutron-sensitive microchannel plates(MCP)have emerged as a cutting-edge tool in the field of neutron detection owing to their high temporal and spatial resolutions,high detection efficiency,and low noise.In this study,we report the development of a 10B-doped MCP detector,along with its associated electronics,data processing system,and NRI experiments at the Back-n.Individual heavy elements such as gold,silver,tungsten,and indium can be easily identified in the transmission images by their characteristic resonance peaks in the 1–100 eV energy range;the more difficult medium-weight elements such as iron,copper,and aluminum with resonance peaks in the 1–100 keV energy range can also be identified.In particular,results in the neutron energy range of dozens of keV(Aluminum)are reported here for the first time.

Design and performance evaluation of a large field-of-view dual-particle time-encoded imager based on a depth-of-interaction detector

Time-encoded imaging is useful for identifying potential special nuclear materials and other radioactive sources at a distance.In this study,a large field-of-view time-encoded imager was developed for gamma-ray and neutron source hotspot imaging based on a depth-of-interaction(DOI)detector.The imager primarily consists of a DOI detector system and a rotary dual-layer cylindrical coded mask.An EJ276 plastic scintillator coupled with two SiPMs was designed as the DOI detector to increase the field of view and improve the imager performance.The difference in signal time at both ends and the log of the signal amplitude ratio were used to calculate the interaction position resolution.The position resolution of the DOI detector was calibrated using a collimated Cs-137 source,and the full width at half maximum of the reconstruction position of the Gaussian fitting curve was approximately 4.4 cm.The DOI detector can be arbitrarily divided into several units to independently reconstruct the source distribution images.The unit length was optimized via Am-Be source-location experiments.A multidetector filtering method is proposed for image denoising.This method can effectively reduce image noise caused by poor DOI detector position resolution.The vertical field of view of the imager was(-55°,55°)when the detector was placed in the center of the coded mask.A DT neutron source at 20 m standoff could be located within 2400 s with an angular resolution of 3.5°.

Performance optimization of the neutron-sensitive image intensifier used in neutron imaging

As a non-destructive testing technology,neutron imaging plays an important role in various fields,including material science,nuclear engineering,and fundamental science.An imaging detector with a neutron-sensitive image intensifier has been developed and demonstrated to achieve good spatial resolution and timing resolution.However,the influence of the working voltage on the performance of the neutron-sensitive imaging intensifier has not been studied.To optimize the performance of the neutron-sensitive image intensifier at different voltages,experiments have been performed at the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS)neutron beamline.The change in the light yield and imaging quality with different voltages has been acquired.It is shown that the image quality benefits from the high gain of the microchannel plate(MCP)and the high accelerating electric field between the MCP and the screen.Increasing the accelerating electric field is more effective than increasing the gain of MCPs for the improvement of the imaging quality.Increasing the total gain of the MCP stack can be realized more effectively by improving the gain of the standard MCP than that of the n MCP.These results offer a development direction for image intensifiers in the future.

Two-Dimensional Perovskite Single Crystals for High-Performance X-ray Imaging and Exploring MeV X-ray Detection

Scintillation semiconductors play increasingly important medical diagnosis and industrial inspection roles.Recently,two-dimensional(2D)perovskites have been shown to be promising materials for medical X-ray imaging,but they are mostly used in low-energy(≤130 keV)regions.Direct detection of MeV X-rays,which ensure thorough penetration of the thick shell walls of containers,trucks,and aircraft,is also highly desired in practical industrial applications.Unfortunately,scintillation semiconductors for high-energy X-ray detection are currently scarce.Here,This paper reports a 2D(C_(4)H_(9)NH_(3))_(2)PbBr_(4)single crystal with outstanding sensitivity and stability toward X-ray radiation that provides an ultra-wide detectable X-ray range of between 8.20 nGy_(air)s^(-1)(50 keV)and 15.24 mGy_(air)s^(-1)(9 MeV).The(C_(4)H_(9)NH_(3))_(2)PbBr_(4)single-crystal detector with a vertical structure is used for high-performance X-ray imaging,delivering a good spatial resolution of 4.3 Ip mm^(-1)in a plane-scan imaging system.Low ionic migration in the 2D perovskite enables the vertical device to be operated with hundreds of keV to MeV X-ray radiation at high bias voltages,leading to a sensitivity of 46.90μC Gy_(air)-1 cm^(-2)(-1.16 Vμm^(-1))with 9 MeV X-ray radiation,demonstrating that 2D perovskites have enormous potential for high-energy industrial applications.

Near-Range Large Field-of-View Three-Dimensional Photon-Counting Imaging with a Single-Pixel Si-Avalanche Photodiode

Large field-of-view（FoV） three-dimensional（3 D） photon-counting imaging is demonstrated with a single-pixel single-photon detector based on a Geiger-mode Si-avalanche photodiode. By removing the collecting lens（CL）before the detector, the FoV is expanded to ±10°. Thanks to the high detection efficiency, the signal-to-noise ratio of the imaging system is as high as 7.8 dB even without the CL when the average output laser pulse energy is about 0.45 pJ/pulse for imaging the targets at a distance of 5 m. A 3 D image overlaid with the reflectivity data is obtained according to the photon-counting time-of-flight measurement and the return photon intensity.

High-resolution forward-looking imaging algorithm for missile-borne detectors

Aiming at a novel missile-borne detector in the optional burst height proximity fuze, a self-adaptive high-resolution forward-looking imaging algorithm (SAHRFL-IA) is presented. The echo data are captured by the missile-borne detector in the target regions;thereby the azimuth angulation accuracy at the same distance dimension is improved dynamically. Thus, azimuth information of the targets in the detection area may be obtained accurately. The proposed imaging algorithm breaks through the conventional misconception of merely using azimuth discrimination curves under ideal conditions during monopulse angulation. The real-time echo data from the target region are used to perform error correction for this discrimination curve, and finally the accuracy of the azimuth angulation may reach the optimum at the same distance dimension. A series of experiments demonstrate the validity, reliability and high performance of the proposed imaging algorithm. Azimuth angulation accuracy may reach ten times that of the detection beam width. Meanwhile, the running time of this algorithm satisfies the requirements of missile-borne platforms.

Exploration of high-speed 3.0 THz imaging with a 65 nm CMOS process

This paper describes a promising route for the exploration and development of 3.0 THz sensing and imaging with FET-based power detectors in a standard 65 nm CMOS process.Based on the plasma-wave theory proposed by Dyakonov and Shur,we designed high-responsivity and low-noise multiple detectors for monitoring a pulse-mode 3.0 THz quantum cascade laser(QCL).Furthermore,we present a fully integrated high-speed 32×32-pixel 3.0 THz CMOS image sensor(CIS).The full CIS measures 2.81×5.39 mm^(2) and achieves a 423 V/W responsivity(Rv)and a 5.3 nW integral noise equivalent power(NEP)at room temperature.In experiments,we demonstrate a testing speed reaching 319 fps under continuous-wave(CW)illumina-tion of a 3.0 THz QCL.The results indicate that our terahertz CIS has excellent potential in cost-effective and commercial THz imaging and material detection.

An Implementation of Multiscale Line Detection and Mathematical Morphology for Efficient and Precise Blood Vessel Segmentation in Fundus Images

Diagnosing various diseases such as glaucoma,age-related macular degeneration,cardiovascular conditions,and diabetic retinopathy involves segmenting retinal blood vessels.The task is particularly challenging when dealing with color fundus images due to issues like non-uniformillumination,low contrast,and variations in vessel appearance,especially in the presence of different pathologies.Furthermore,the speed of the retinal vessel segmentation system is of utmost importance.With the surge of now available big data,the speed of the algorithm becomes increasingly important,carrying almost equivalent weightage to the accuracy of the algorithm.To address these challenges,we present a novel approach for retinal vessel segmentation,leveraging efficient and robust techniques based on multiscale line detection and mathematical morphology.Our algorithm’s performance is evaluated on two publicly available datasets,namely the Digital Retinal Images for Vessel Extraction dataset(DRIVE)and the Structure Analysis of Retina(STARE)dataset.The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method,withmean accuracy values of 0.9467 forDRIVE and 0.9535 for STARE datasets,aswell as sensitivity values of 0.6952 forDRIVE and 0.6809 for STARE datasets.Notably,our algorithmexhibits competitive performance with state-of-the-art methods.Importantly,it operates at an average speed of 3.73 s per image for DRIVE and 3.75 s for STARE datasets.It is worth noting that these results were achieved using Matlab scripts containing multiple loops.This suggests that the processing time can be further reduced by replacing loops with vectorization.Thus the proposed algorithm can be deployed in real time applications.In summary,our proposed system strikes a fine balance between swift computation and accuracy that is on par with the best available methods in the field.

Image quality evaluation of linear plastic scintillating fiber array detector for X-ray imaging

It is important to assess image quality, in order to ensure that the imaging system is performing optimally and also identify the weak points in an imaging system. Three parameters mostly leading to image degradation are contrast, spatial resolution and noise. There is always a trade-off between spatial resolution and signal to noise ratio, but in scintillating fiber array detectors spatial resolution is not as important as signal to noise ratio, so we paid more attention to contrast and SNR of the system. By using GEANT4 Monte Carlo detector simulation toolkit, some effec- tive parameters of the linear plastic scintillating fiber (PSF) array as an imaging detector were investigated. Finally we show that it is possible to use this kind of detector to take CT and DR (Digital Radiography) image under certain conditions.

Design and Imaging Application of Room-Temperature Terahertz Detector with Micro-Bolometer Focal Plane Array

Room-temperature terahertz （THz） detectors indicate a great potential in the imaging application because of their real-time, compact bulk, and wide spectral band responding characteristics. THz detectors with different dimensions based on a micro-bridge structure have been designed and fabricated to get optimized micro-bolometer parameters from the test results of membrane deformation. A nanostructured titanium （Ti） thin film absorber is integrated in the micro-bridge structure of the VOx micro-bolometer by a combined process of magnetron sputtering and reactive ion etching （RIE）, and its improvement of THz absorption is verified by an optical characteristics mesurement. Continuous-wave THz detection and imaging are demonstrated by using a 2.52 THz far infrared CO2 laser and a 320x240 vanadium oxide micro-bolometer focal plane array with an optimized cell structure. With this detecting system, THz imaging of metal concealed in a wiping cloth and an envelope is demonstrated, respectively.

Performance of Large Area Thin-Film CdTe Detector in Diagnostic X-Ray Imaging

Significant advancement in thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) deposition techniques in recent years has made this material attractive for the development of low-cost large area detector. Here we evaluate the intrinsic performance of the detector for a range of energies relevant to diagnostic imaging applications, such as fluoroscopy. The input x-ray spectra for a set of tube potentials ranging from 70 to 140 kVp were computed with the tungsten anode spectral model using interpolating polynomials (TASMIP) based on the measured output of our diagnostic x-ray simulator. Frequency-dependent detector performance analysis was conducted through Monte Carlo simulations of energy deposition within the detector. Intrinsic modulation transfer functions (MTF), noise power spectra (NPS), and detective quantum efficiencies (DQE) were computed for a set of CdTe detectors of varying thickness, from 100 to 1000 μm. MTF behavior at higher frequencies was affected by thickness and input energy, NPS increased with film thickness and energy, and the resultant DQE(f) decreased with increasing the input energy, but increased with the thickness of the detector. We found that the optimal thickness of CdTe under diagnostic x-ray beam is in the range of 300 to 600 μm. Physical properties of CdTe, such as the high atomic number and density, used in direct detection configuration, together with the recently established thin-film manufacturing techniques makes this technology a promising photoconductor for large area diagnostic flat panel imaging.

An FPGA-Based Pulse Pile-up Rejection Technique for Photon Counting Imaging Detectors

A novel FPGA-based pulse pile-up rejection method for single photon imaging detectors is reported. Tile method is easy to implement in FPGAs for real-time data processing. The rejection principle and entire design are introduced in detail. The photon counting imaging detector comprises a micro-channel plate （MCP） stack, and a wedge and strip anode （WSA）. The resolution mask pattern in front of the MCP can be reconstructed after data processing in the FPGA. For high count rates, the rejection design can effectively reduce the impact of the pulse pile-up on the image. The resolution can reach up to 140μm. The pulse pile-up rejection design can also be applied to high-energy physics and particle detection.

A test device for isotopic γ-ray imaging with CdZnTe detector

A test device for isotopic γ-ray imaging, which consists of an isotope γ-ray source, a CdZnTe γ-ray spec- trometer and other auxiliary equipment, is studied here. Compared with the conventional X-ray, the isotope γ-ray, which is utilized in this project, has its own advantages in imaging. Furthermore, with a room-temperature high-energy-resolution CdZnTe detector and a modern imaging processing technique, this device is capable of effec- tively suppressing the background and gaining more information, thus it can obtain a better image than conventional X-ray devices. In the experiment of PCB imaging, all soldered points and chip components are sharply demonstrated.

In-situ fabrication of on-chip 1T'-MoTe_(2)/Ge Schottky junction photodetector for self-powered broadband infrared imaging and position sensing

High-sensitivity room-temperature multi-dimensional infrared(IR)detection is crucial for military and civilian purposes.Recently,the gapless electronic structures and unique optoelectrical properties have made the two-dimensional(2D)topological semimetals promising candidates for the realization of multifunctional optoelectronic devices.Here,we demonstrated the in-situ construction of high-performance 1T’-MoTe_(2)/Ge Schottky junction device by inserting an ultrathin AlOx passivation layer.The good detection performance with an ultra-broadband detection wavelength range of up to 10.6 micron,an ultrafast response time of~160 ns,and a large specific detectivity of over 109 Jones in mid-infrared(MIR)range surpasses that of most 2D materials-based IR sensors,approaching the performance of commercial IR photodiodes.The on-chip integrated device arrays with 64 functional detectors feature high-resolution imaging capability at room temperature.All these outstanding detection features have enabled the demonstration of position-sensitive detection applications.It demonstrates an exceptional position sensitivity of 14.9 mV/mm,an outstanding nonlinearity of 6.44%,and commendable trajectory tracking and optoelectronic demodulation capabilities.This study not only offers a promising route towards room-temperature MIR optoelectronic applications,but also demonstrates a great potential for application in optical sensing systems.

Compressed ghost imaging based on differential speckle patterns

We propose a compressed ghost imaging scheme based on differential speckle patterns,named CGI-DSP.In the scheme,a series of bucket detector signals are acquired when a series of random speckle patterns are employed to illuminate an unknown object.Then the differential speckle patterns(differential bucket detector signals)are obtained by taking the difference between present random speckle patterns(present bucket detector signals)and previous random speckle patterns(previous bucket detector signals).Finally,the image of object can be obtained directly by performing the compressed sensing algorithm on the differential speckle patterns and differential bucket detector signals.The experimental and simulated results reveal that CGI-DSP can improve the imaging quality and reduce the number of measurements comparing with the traditional compressed ghost imaging schemes because our scheme can remove the environmental illuminations efficiently.

Research on monopulse forward-looking high-resolution imaging algorithm based on adaptive iteration

In this paper,we proposed a monopulse forward-looking high-resolution imaging algorithm based on adaptive iteration for missile-borne detector.Through iteration,the proposed algorithm automatically selects the echo signal of isolated strong-scattering points from the receiving echo signal data to accurately estimate the actual optimal monopulse response curve(MRC) of the same distance range,and we applied optimal MRC to realize the azimuth self-focusing in the process of imaging.We use real-time echo data to perform error correction for obtaining the optimal MRC,and the azimuth angulation accuracy may reach the optimum at a certain distance dimension.We experimentally demonstrate the validity,reliability and high performance of the proposed algorithm.The azimuth angulation accuracy may reach up to ten times of the detection beam-width.The simulation experiments have verified the feasibility of this strategy,with the average height measurement error being 7.8%.In the out-field unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) tests,the height measurement error is less than 25 m,and the whole response time can satisfy the requirements of a missile-borne detector.

Fast fluorescence lifetime imaging techniques:A review on challenge and development

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy(FLIM)is increasingly used in biomedicine,material science,chemistry,and other related research fields,because of its advantages of high specificity and sensitivity in monitoring cellular microenvironments,studying interaction between proteins,metabolic state,screening drugs and analyzing their efficacy,characterizing novel materials,and diagnosing early cancers.Understandably,there is a large interest in obtaining FLIM data within an acquisition time as short as possible.Consequently,there is currently a technology that advances towards faster and faster FLIM recording.However,the maximum speed of a recording technique is only part of the problerm.The acquisition time of a FLIM image is a complex function of many factors.These include the photon rate that can be obtained from the sample,the amount of information a technique extracts from the decay functions,the fficiency at which it determines fluorescence decay parameters from the recorded photons,the demands for the accuracy of these parameters,the number of pixels,and the lateral and axial resolutions that are obtained in biological materials.Starting from a discussion of the parameters which determine the acquisition time,this review will describe existing and emerging FLIM techniques and data analysis algo-rithms,and analyze their performance and recording speed in biological and biomedical applications.

Imaging Diagnosis of TypeⅢCholedochal Cyst:A Case Report

Choledochocele is a congenital abnormality of the biliary system,which characterized by a cystic dilatation of intramural segment of the distal common bile duct.Choledochocele manifests as cystic lesions in the duodenal lumen and resembles duodenal duplication cysts in imaging.We reported a patient with choledochocele.Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed a thin-walled sac in the duodenal cavity and a fine tubular structure connecting with the end of the common bile duct.Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is a noninvasive and convenient technique in the diagnosis of choledochocele.

Imaging properties of a tetra wedge readout

The decoding principle of a tetra wedge anode, which is a development of the wedge and strip anode, is described. The influence of charge cloud size on decoding accuracy is studied using the Monte Carlo method. Simulation results show that the decoding error is large when the size of charge clouds collected by the anode is small. Thus, the charge clouds collected by the tetra wedge anode should reach a necessary size to ensure accurate decoding. Finally, using the ultraviolet photon counting imaging system, the linearity and the spatial resolution of the system are tested. Experimental results show that the system has a good linearity and the spatial resolution is better than 100 μm.

A practical image reconstruction and processing method for symmetrically off-center detector CBCT system

CBCT scanners have been widely used in angiography,radiotherapy guidance,mammography and oral maxillofacial imaging.To cut detector size,reduce manufacturing costs and radiation dose while keeping a reasonable FOV,the flat panel detector can be placed off-center horizontally.This scanning configuration extends the FOV effectively.However,each projection is transversely truncated,bringing errors and artifacts in reconstruction.In this paper,a simple but practical method is proposed for this scanning geometry based on truncation compensation and the modified FDK algorithm.Numerical simulations with jaw phantom were conducted to evaluate the accuracy and practicability of the proposed method.A novel CBCT system for maxillofacial imaging is used for clinical test,which is equipped with an off-center small size flat panel detector.Results show that reconstruction accuracy is acceptable for clinical use,and the image quality appears sufficient for specific diagnostic requirements.It provides a novel solution for clinical CBCT system,in order to reduce radiation dose and manufacturing cost.