Neutron imaging of micron-size structures by color center formation in LiF crystals

Demonstration of neutron imaging by color center formation in LiF crystals is reported. Neutron radiography images of various objects, including thin Au wires, Cd plates, Gd plates and thin liquid tubes, have been recorded. The data show that neutron imaging with LiF has many excellent properties: high spatial resolution of 5.4 μm, little granular noises, good linearity and large dynamic range. The high resolution neutron imaging with LiF will be useful for various applications such as quantitative characterizations of neutron sources and electric devices, comprising of low-Z elements such as Li-ion batteries and fuel cells.