The ANTARES Neutron Imaging facility is designed to deliver radiographs and computed tomography of samples, similar to an X-ray machine. The achieved information is often complementary to X-ray measurements, with its most important features the high penetration of metals (Fe ~ 4 – 5 cm, Al ~20 – 30 cm, Pb ~10 – 20 cm) and the high sensitivity for hydrogen. These allow to visualize metal machine parts as well as liquids, sealants and plastics inside of metal parts. Liquid contrast agents can be employed for crack and void detection.

Examples of different techniques and their typical applications:

• Standard neutron radiography: Moisture in sandstone, o-rings in machine parts, aerospace
  pyrotechnical components
• Computed tomography: Geological samples, mineral phases, voids in carbon fi ber structures (with contrast agents), machine parts, biological samples as lung tissue
• Continuous radioscopy: Video speed radiography of dynamic processes like boiling in refrigerators or water boilers
• Stroboscopic imaging: Identical time windows of cyclic processes integrated on a camera, then shift of time window: Oil distribution in running engines
• Phase contrast: Edge enhancement, aluminium foams, interface of similar alloys
• Energy / wavelength scan: Scanning for Bragg edges, phase or material identification, examination of welds.
• Magnetic imaging: Visualization of magnetic fields, fundamental research on ferromagnetic materials
• Dark field imaging or small-angle scatter measurement: Scatter grids used to suppress the direct beam, measuring the spatially resolved small angle scattering signal of steel samples
• X-ray radiography: Insertable 300 kV 9 mA X-ray tube, in identical beam geometry for overlay without registration