All cameras can be supplied with either high efficiency x-ray or neutron scintillators.
Imaging with the 150x120mm NeutronOptics camera
Neutron image of a 3.5" hard disk obtained in 2 seconds with the 150x120mm camera on the ANTARES beam line (L/D=800, 2.5x107n.cm-2sec-1) at FRM-II Munich using a 20m cable. Our imaging cameras can also be supplied with more efficient (and expensive) CCD units. Together with an inexpensive stepper rotation table (not tested) this camera might be used for tomographic imaging. (With thanks to Burkhard Schillinger who has described the Industrial applications of neutron imaging).
X-ray imaging with NeutronOptics cameras
X-ray image of a test sample obtained in 40 milli-seconds with the compact x-ray camera using a thick scintillator for higher efficiency even for hard x-rays (up to 350 kV).
The faint broad band at the bottom left is the adhesive tape used to support the sample! This particular image was obtained at 31 kV and 7.6 mA in 0.04 seconds.
High Efficiency Photonic Science neutron cameras
NeutronOptics has become an agent for high efficiency Photonic Science Limited neutron cameras, when only the best will do. We continue to offer our own neutron alignment cameras of course, but now we can also offer the complete range of advanced Photonic Science neutron cameras, developed originally for ILL Grenoble by Photonic Science and NeutronOptics. Photonic Science is a European company specialising in imaging for ground and air-based surveillance as well as scientific systems using X-rays and Neutrons. They have the expertise to develop new types of camera according to the specific needs of the customer, while NeutronOptics has the experience in neutron scattering required to help customers specify the design best suited for their application. Together Photonic and NeutronOptics form a strong international team.
OrientExpress, the first
Photonic Science neutron camera
was constructed for ILL Grenoble in 2005 to orient small crystals. A fine neutron beam passes through a
boron nitride collimator before being backscattered onto a scintillator plate scanned by dual image-intensified Peltier-cooled CCDs. The resulting
Laue diagram (right photo) from a 3mm ruby crystal was collected in only 10 seconds on a 107 n.cm-2.sec-1
white beam, compared to an exposure of 10 minutes (insert) for a photographic film camera.
CYCLOPS
is the latest and largest PhotonicScience
neutron camera constructed for ILL. It consists of 16 image-intensified Peltier-cooled CCDs
scanning an octagonal scintillator to cover almost complete 4&pi scattering in real time. Total readout time is only ~1 sec for the
complete 7680x2400 array of 170µ pixels as an 8, 12 or 16-bit TIF image. A complete diffraction pattern can be obtained in only
a few seconds, making it possible to follow changes in crystal structure as a function of temperature, pressure or magnetic field.
Here is a short streaming video illustrating the
astonishing power of such a machine, even if at present it is located on a low-flux guide with a
107.n.cm-2.sec-1 white thermal beam.
All these cameras use a white neutron beam, and will work on either reactor or spallation neutron sources.
For further details of their application and availability, please contact
Alan.Hewat@NeutronOptics.com.
The slim 100x50 mm neutron or x-ray camera
In a continuing effort to reduce the size of our cameras while maintaining the largest possible image area, our latest slim camera is only 43mm thick for a sensitive area of 100x50mm in a 120x120mm box.
This camera can also be produced with a larger image area of 100x65mm, by using a standard 58mm thick box.
Wireless Video Transmitter
The supplied co-axial video cable is 10m long, and 10m extensions can be ordered.
Alternatively, a wireless video transmitter with its associated receiver transmits the camera image over distances of 100m or more,
even through walls. The photo shows a miniature wireless video transmitter (blue) and receiver alongside
the 100x60 mm camera, with also a wireless controller receiver on top (black).
This transmitter operates on 16-channels near 1.2 GHz or 12-channels near 2.4GHz at 700 mW. Lower power transmitters are also available if required to satisfy local regulations. The wireless channel can be changed at the press of a button, and additional transmitters or receivers can be purchased separately. Before ordering, please check the radio frequencies and power permitted in your environment.
Dual CCD 150x120 mm Laue Camera
In 2009 NeutronOptics began developing X-ray cameras as well as neutron cameras. Indeed the only difference is the use of different types of windows, scintillators and shielding. The dual CCD Laue camera uses twin CCD units to increase efficiency, extend the image field, and avoid the shadow from the central collimator. The two CCDs have slightly overlapping fields of view; the separate images are automatically stitched together to produce a single larger image after correcting each for its relative position, angle and lens aberrations. This custom software uses the free ImageJ package.
The dual CCD Laue camera, which is still undergoing tests, could be supplied for either neutrons or X-rays; only the collimator, front plate and scintillator are different. For neutrons a thin aluminium window is used, with a carbon fibre window for X-rays. The X-ray version with optional Peltier cooling is shown in the above photo, with its central beam tube that can accept plug-in collimating apertures at either end. This version is intended for use with a white synchrotron radiation beam or, with the dual Peltier cooling option, a tungsten X-ray tube producing a white beam at 30-40 kV and 20-40 ma. Our imaging cameras can also be supplied with more efficient (and expensive) CCD units. For lab X-ray sources, an optional Unisantis poly-capillary focussing lens can be used. Overall dimensions are 400x150x100 mm (x,y,z) for a weight of only 2 kg (click to enlarge).
We are grateful to Dr Chang-Hee Lee of KAERI for help in the construction of this camera.
Important Clients for NeutronOptics Cameras
In early 2009, NeutronOptics delivered neutron cameras for all instruments on the new Australian Reactor at the Bragg Institute in Sydney, ranging from compact beam alignment cameras to a big 250x200mm imaging camera.
This follows large orders from the US Oak Ridge National Laboratory for instruments on both the high flux reactor and the new SNS spallation Source. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) near Washington DC is another important customer
NeutronOptics cameras are used in more than 30 laboratories throughout the world.
Other big clients include ILL Grenoble, and ETH-Zurich's PSI laboratory, who have also provided neutron scintillator
screens via the Swiss RC-Tritec company.