Structure and neutron imaging characteristics of lithium borate–barium chloride glass-ceramics

A glass-ceramic has been developed which can be used as a thermal neutron imaging plate (NIP) for neutron radiography. The plate consists of nanocrystallites of the storage phosphor BaCl2:Eu2+ embedded within a neutron sensitive lithium borate glass-matrix. Details of their preparation and structure are discussed. Neutron images were read out using a Fuji BAS2500 imaging plate scanner and the quality of the images obtained is comparable to those recorded on a commercial NIP. Details of the response to neutron and X-irradiation as well as the obtained spatial resolution of the images are presented. The neutron activation of the materials studied is also calculated.