Isotopically-enriched gadolinium-157 oxysulfide scintillator screens for the high-resolution neutron imaging

High-resolution neutron imaging (Neutron Microscope project) requires highly efficient scintillator screens. Our aim is to achieve sub-5µm spatial resolution. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of the production of isotopically-enriched gadolinium oxysulfide scintillator screens for the high spatial-resolution neutron imaging. Approximately 10 g of ¹⁵⁷Gd₂O₂S:Tb was produced in the form of fine powder (the level of ¹⁵⁷Gd enrichment above 88%). Approximately 2.5 µm thick ¹⁵⁷Gd₂O₂S:Tb scintillator screens were produced and tested for the absorption power and the light output. The results are compared to the reference screens based on ^natGd₂O₂S:Tb. The isotopically-enriched screens provided increase by a factor of 3.8 and 3.6 for the absorption power and the light output, respectively. The project is supported by SNF R’Equip, CCMX and by internal PSI funding.