NEUTRA is the thermal neutron radiography station at the neutron spallation source SINQ. It provides neutron radiography and tomography images of medium to large size objects using a thermal neutron energy spectrum. Special features available are a 320kV X-ray tube allowing dual modality imaging with an identical imaging geometry and a special setup for the investigation of highly radioactive materials NEURAP.
| Neutron energy | 25 meV thermal Maxwellian spectrum |
| Neutron flux at sample position | >5 x 106 neutrons cm-2 sec-1 mA-1 (p-current) |
| Maximum field of view | 30 cm x 30 cm (h x v) |
Neutron energy spectra of thermal and cold radiography beamline
Neutrons transmit metallic and rock material easily, whereas they are stopped in hydrogenous material like tissue, plastic or water. In this respect neutron radiography is complementary to X-ray. Unlike X-ray energy, which can be chosen by e.g. X-ray tube voltage, the available neutron energies are determined by the neutron source. The PSI neutron imaging facilities provide either a thermal (NEUTRA) or a cold (ICON) energy spectrum.
Instrument Reference: E. Lehmann et al, Nondestr. Test Eval. 16, 191-202 (2001), doi:10.1080/10589750108953075
Instrument Reference: E. Lehmann et al, Nondestr. Test Eval. 16, 191-202 (2001), doi:10.1080/10589750108953075
SINQ - call for proposals I-26
proposal submission deadline: 15 January 2026
The Digital User Office will be open for proposal submission approximately 4-5 weeks before the deadline. Of course editing and saving of proposals is possible any time.