Development and performance of a micron-resolution neutron imaging detector at CSNS

Neutron imaging is a powerful non-destructive testing technique, yet its spatial resolution remains considerably inferior to that of x-ray imaging. Bridging this resolution gap to the micron level represents a major challenge in the field. This study reports the development and performance of a micron-resolution neutron imaging detector at the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). The detector consisted of a custom-fabricated, ultra-thin (5 μm) scintillator based on isotopically enriched gadolinium oxysulfide (¹⁵⁷Gd₂O₂S:Tb), coupled with a high-magnification optical lens and a scientific charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. At the Energy-Resolved Neutron Imaging Instrument (ERNI), the detector achieved a spatial resolution of 6.6 μm. The detector represents a significant leap in imaging capability at CSNS, enabling advanced non-destructive investigations at the microscale.