Glass-ceramic X-ray and Thermal Neutron Imaging Plates

We report the results of spatial resolution and conversion efficiency measurements on new fluorochlorozirconate and lithium-borate glass-ceramics that are being researched for x-ray and thermal neutron imaging applications. The sensitivity of the fluorochlorozirconate glass-ceramics containing BaCl2:Eu nano-crystallites is up to 80 % of that found in BaFBr(1000ppm Eu), which is the material used in commercial powdered phosphor/polymer x-ray imaging plates. The spatial resolution corresponds to 90 lp/mm and it is much greater than that used in medical imaging plates (e.g. ~2.5 lp/mm for Agfa MD-30). A B enriched lithium-borate glass with BaCl2:Eu nano-crystallites had a sensitivity to thermal neutrons that is 145 % of that measured in a commercial thermal neutron imaging plate (Fuji BAS-ND) and the residual radiation can be greatly reduced. The spatial resolution can be improved by selecting nano-crystallites with reduced afterglow.