Understanding Neutron Radiography

High Energy Machines
Several compact accelerators are commercially available. These are capable
of accelerating positive ions to energies between 1 and 30 MeV; examples
include Van de Graaff accelerators and cyclotrons. Many of these machines
are versatile in that the accelerated particle can be a proton, a deuteron or
another positive ion. However, sophisticated equipment is required to supply
accelerating potentials of this magnitude, and the capital investment for such
equipment is substantial. Good radiographic results have been reported for
15-30 minute exposures using a Van de Graaff accelerator operating at 3
MeV, 280 μA with the 9 Be (d,n) 10 B reaction.
Charlie Chong/ Fion Zhang