Simulation study of neutron source for bimodal imaging target system based on low energy hgh current cyclotron

Lu Lu; An Shizhong; Guan Fengping; Wei Sumin

doi:10.11884/HPLPB202638.250168

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Article Navigation > High Power Laser and Particle Beams > 2026 > Accepted Manuscript

Lu Lu, An Shizhong, Guan Fengping, et al. Simulation study of neutron source for bimodal imaging target system based on low energy hgh current cyclotron[J]. High Power Laser and Particle Beams. doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202638.250168

Citation:

Lu Lu, An Shizhong, Guan Fengping, et al. Simulation study of neutron source for bimodal imaging target system based on low energy hgh current cyclotron[J]. High Power Laser and Particle Beams. doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202638.250168

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Simulation study of neutron source for bimodal imaging target system based on low energy hgh current cyclotron

doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202638.250168

Comprehensive Institute of Nuclear Technology, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102413, China

Received Date: 2025-10-22
Accepted Date: 2026-01-09
Rev Recd Date: 2026-01-20

Available Online: 2026-02-05

Abstract

Abstract

Background
Gamma and thermal neutron imaging are important non-destructive testing methods, which are complementary in many aspects. The thermal neutron and Gamma bimodal imaging can combine the advantages of both. Compares with single beam imaging, the bimodal imaging has the ability to identify different substances and the sensitivity to both nuclides and elements simultaneous.
Purpose
Utilizing the reaction between protons and target material producing neutrons and Gamma together, based on the 18 MeV cyclotron accelerator being developed by the Institute of Atomic Energy, this paper designs a bimodal imaging neutron source by simulation.
Methods
Beryllium with a high （p, n） reaction cross-section is selected as the neutron target to generate neutrons. To obtain thermal neutrons with higher flux, polyethylene is used as the neutron moderator and reflector. By the different spatial distributions of thermal neutrons and Gamma, these two types of radiation are separately extracted from different directions. Besides, by designing the neutron and Gamma exits on polyethylene, high neutron flux and Gamma beams are simultaneously obtained.
Results
After simulation optimization, the thermal neutron flux at the thermal neutron outlet can reach 1.78×10¹⁰ n/（cm²·s） , and the gamma dose at the gamma outlet can reach 2.23×10⁴ rad/h.
Conclusions
This paper design a neutron source for thermal-neutron-gamma imaging based on the 18 MeV/1 mA cyclotron accelerator. The design efficiently extracts thermal neutron flux and gamma flux from a single target, implementing a single-target-dual-source configuration.
- bimodal imaging,
- neutron source,
- cyclotron,
- thermal neutron,
- gamma

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References(22)

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