Novel microstrip detectors and data acquisition strategies for thermal neutron imaging at the next generation pulsed neutron sources

For thermal neutron imaging at the next generation of high-flux pulsed neutron sources microstrip detectors with solid state neutron converter foils are presently being developed in different laboratories with the objective to improve the resolution and count rate limits by orders of magnitude in comparison with the presently available neutron detector types, in particular compared to multiwire chambers using gaseous He converters. Due to the improved transversal and longitudinal localization of the conversion process in thin converter foils, as well as of the secondary radiation to be detected, and by means of high-resolution (microstrip) and fast detection and readout techniques, the two-dimensional position as well as the time-offlight resolutions can be reduced below the presently foreseen requirements for thermal neutron imaging at the next generation pulsed neutron sources. In this review the silicon microstrip and low-pressure gas microstrip thermal neutron detectors which are presently being developed will be discussed, both utilizing thin foil converters, in connection with the different readout and data acquisition techniques applied with them.