Reciprocal space approaches to neutron imaging

Here the authors introduce a Fourier based method for phase contrast neutron imaging, report its experimental implementation, and show results for a one-dimensional test phantom. This approach makes use of neutron interferometry to achieve both phase contrast and to spatially code the phase of the neutron with a linear phase grating. The spatial information is recovered from the coherent interference of this phase grating and a spatial phase distribution due to the sample. By moving neutron imaging from real to reciprocal space they avoid the need for position sensitive detectors and improve the potential image resolution. (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.