An accelerator system for neutron radiography

The field of x-ray radiography is well established for performing non-destructive evaluation of a vast array of components, assemblies, and objects. While x-rays excel in many radiography applications, their effectiveness diminishes rapidly if the objects of interest are surrounded by thick, high-density materials that strongly attenuate photons. Due to the differences in interaction mechanisms, neutron radiography is highly effective in imaging details inside such objects. To obtain a high intensity neutron source suitable for neutron imaging, a 9-MeV linear accelerator is being evaluated for delivering a deuteron beam into a high-pressure deuterium gas cell. Since a windowless aperture is needed to transport the beam into the gas cell, a low emittance is needed to minimize losses along the high-energy beam transport (HEBT) and the end station. A description of the HEBT, the transport optics into the gas cell, and the requirements for the linac will be presented.