Virtual source approach for maximizing resolution in high-penetration gamma-ray imaging

Wu Yuchi; Wang Shaoyi; Zhu Bin; Yan Yonghong; Yu Minghai; Li Gang; Zhang Xiaohui; Yang Yue; Tan Fang; Lu Feng; Bi Bi; Mao Xiaoqin; Wang Zhonghai; Zhao Zongqing; Su Jingqin; Zhou Weimin; Gu Yuqiu

doi:10.1063/5.0179781

Volume 9 Issue 3

May 2024

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Article Navigation > Matter and Radiation at Extremes > 2024 > 9(3): 037202

Wu Yuchi, Wang Shaoyi, Zhu Bin, Yan Yonghong, Yu Minghai, Li Gang, Zhang Xiaohui, Yang Yue, Tan Fang, Lu Feng, Bi Bi, Mao Xiaoqin, Wang Zhonghai, Zhao Zongqing, Su Jingqin, Zhou Weimin, Gu Yuqiu. Virtual source approach for maximizing resolution in high-penetration gamma-ray imaging[J]. Matter and Radiation at Extremes, 2024, 9(3): 037202. doi: 10.1063/5.0179781

Citation:

Wu Yuchi, Wang Shaoyi, Zhu Bin, Yan Yonghong, Yu Minghai, Li Gang, Zhang Xiaohui, Yang Yue, Tan Fang, Lu Feng, Bi Bi, Mao Xiaoqin, Wang Zhonghai, Zhao Zongqing, Su Jingqin, Zhou Weimin, Gu Yuqiu. Virtual source approach for maximizing resolution in high-penetration gamma-ray imaging[J]. Matter and Radiation at Extremes, 2024, 9(3): 037202. doi: 10.1063/5.0179781

Citation:

Wu Yuchi, Wang Shaoyi, Zhu Bin, Yan Yonghong, Yu Minghai, Li Gang, Zhang Xiaohui, Yang Yue, Tan Fang, Lu Feng, Bi Bi, Mao Xiaoqin, Wang Zhonghai, Zhao Zongqing, Su Jingqin, Zhou Weimin, Gu Yuqiu. Virtual source approach for maximizing resolution in high-penetration gamma-ray imaging[J]. Matter and Radiation at Extremes, 2024, 9(3): 037202. doi: 10.1063/5.0179781

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Virtual source approach for maximizing resolution in high-penetration gamma-ray imaging

doi: 10.1063/5.0179781

1.
National Key Laboratory of Plasma Physics, Laser Fusion Research Center, CAEP, Mianyang, Sichuan 621900, China
2.
College of Physics, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China

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Corresponding author: a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: yqgu@caep.cn
Received Date: 2023-10-04
Accepted Date: 2024-02-03

Available Online: 2024-05-01

Publish Date: 2024-05-01

Abstract

Abstract

High-energy gamma-ray radiography has exceptional penetration ability and has become an indispensable nondestructive testing (NDT) tool in various fields. For high-energy photons, point projection radiography is almost the only feasible imaging method, and its spatial resolution is primarily constrained by the size of the gamma-ray source. In conventional industrial applications, gamma-ray sources are commonly based on electron beams driven by accelerators, utilizing the process of bremsstrahlung radiation. The size of the gamma-ray source is dependent on the dimensional characteristics of the electron beam. Extensive research has been conducted on various advanced accelerator technologies that have the potential to greatly improve spatial resolution in NDT. In our investigation of laser-driven gamma-ray sources, a spatial resolution of about 90 µm is achieved when the areal density of the penetrated object is 120 g/cm². A virtual source approach is proposed to optimize the size of the gamma-ray source used for imaging, with the aim of maximizing spatial resolution. In this virtual source approach, the gamma ray can be considered as being emitted from a virtual source within the convertor, where the equivalent gamma-ray source size in imaging is much smaller than the actual emission area. On the basis of Monte Carlo simulations, we derive a set of evaluation formulas for virtual source scale and gamma-ray emission angle. Under optimal conditions, the virtual source size can be as small as 15 µm, which can significantly improve the spatial resolution of high-penetration imaging to less than 50 µm.

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References(43)

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