Abstract: A gas avalanche neutron detector (GAND) filled with counting gas for detecting thermal neutrons or neutron radiation without the use of a conventional proportional counter is provided. The GAND may include a layer of thermalization material, a cathode having a face with a layer of material, exhibiting neutron capture followed by charged particle emission such as Boron-10, a microstructure amplifier, and an anode. Thermal neutrons may enter the detector and interact with the material on the face of the cathode producing alpha particles. The alpha particles may ionize the counting gas inside the detector and produce ionization electrons. The cathode, microstructure amplifier and anode may have voltages applied that create electric fields that cause the ionization electrons to drift toward the microstructure amplifier. The microstructure then accelerates the electrons causing an avalanche effect within the gas and provides an amplification of the signal dramatically increasing neutron detection sensitivity.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, generating image data includes receiving coded aperture imaging sensor data collected according to coded aperture imaging and receiving Compton imaging sensor data collected according to Compton imaging. The coded aperture imaging sensor data and the Compton imaging sensor data are generated by a sensor system sensing radiation from a radiation source. A coded aperture imaging pixel value and a Compton imaging pixel value are determined for each pixel of an image. A combining function comprising addition is applied to the coded aperture imaging pixel value and the Compton imaging pixel value to yield a combined pixel value for each pixel. Combined image data is generated from the combined pixel values. The combined image data is configured to yield a combined image of the radiation source.