Monte Carlo simulation study on coincidence-based imaging system for neutron-induced prompt-gamma activation imaging

In the present study, a new prompt-gamma activation imaging system was proposed for two-dimensional (2D) elemental distributions. The system, as based on coincidence measurement, consists of a high-purity germanium detector forthe measurement ofthe prompt-gamma energy and a position-sensitive detector forthe determination ofthe emission position. To estimate its feasibility, we performed the Monte Carlo simulations using the Geant4 toolkit. For an ironbulk sample with implanted nickel elements, we could recognize the shape of the nickel implant from the 2D image obtained by the imaging system using the energy information of characteristic prompt gammas emitted by neutron capture interactions.