Gamma-ray imaging with a time-modulated random coded aperture

In this article, we present a new industrial gamma-ray imaging system. This system takes advantage of a time-modulated random coded aperture (TMRCA). The gamma-ray detector coupled to the TMRCA can be position-sensitive or non-position-sensitive. The TMRCA imaging system could offer the ability to identify radioactive sources without losing spatial resolution. With a non-position-sensitive BGO detector, a prototype TMRCA imaging system was constructed. The prototype system was investigated with two gamma-ray sources (Cs-137, Co-60) and a Pu-238-Be neutron source, which was placed in a paraffin moderator to produce an extended source. The experimental results suggest that the TMRCA imaging system offers the opportunity to achieve high spatial-energy resolution cost-effectively for high-energy gamma rays. Published under license by AIP Publishing.