A single-pixel elemental imaging method using neutron-induced gamma-ray activation

Neutron-induced gamma-ray imaging is a spectroscopic technique that uses characteristic gamma rays to infer the elemental distribution of an object. Currently, this technique requires the use of large facilities to supply a high neutron flux and a time-consuming detection procedure involving direct collimating measurements. In this study, a new method based on low neutron flux was proposed. A single-pixel gamma-ray detector combined with random pattern gamma-ray masks was used to measure the characteristic gamma rays emitted from the sample. Images of the elemental distribution in the sample, comprising \(30\times 30\) $30\times 30$ pixels, were reconstructed using the maximum-likelihood expectation–maximization algorithm. The results demonstrate that the elemental imaging of the sample can be accurately determined using this method. The proposed approach, which eliminates the need for high neutron flux and scanning measurements, can be used for in-field imaging applications.