First Results with the ANET Compact Thermal Neutron Collimator

TL;DR

This paper reports the initial evaluation of the ANET Compact Neutron Collimator's spatial resolution, demonstrating its potential for neutron imaging in small to medium neutron source facilities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, scalable, and compact neutron collimator with high collimation power, tested through initial measurements at a research reactor.

Findings

Achieved spatial resolution measurement at LENA Mark-II TRIGA reactor

Demonstrated the collimator's high collimation power within a compact design

Showcased potential applications in neutron imaging for smaller facilities

Abstract

This paper presents the first determination of the spatial resolution of the ANET Compact Neutron Collimator, obtained with a measuring campaign at the LENA Mark-II TRIGA reactor in Pavia. This novel collimator consists of a sequence of collimating and absorbing channels organised in a chessboard-like geometry. It has a scalable structure both in length and in the field of view. It is characterized by an elevated collimation power within a limited length. Its scalability and compactness are added values with respect to traditional collimating system. The prototype tested in this article is composed of 4 concatenated stages, each 100mm long, with a channel width of 2.5mm, delivering a nominal L/D factor of 160. This measuring campaign illustrates the use of the ANET collimator and its potential application in neutron imaging for facilities with small or medium size neutron sources.