Digital image processing of images obtained with a Pu-Be (similar to 10(7)) neutron source

A Nuclear particle scintillation imaging system, developed earlier by the authors, has been upgraded and tested for its radiographic performance using a low intensity Pu-Be (similar to 10(7) n/s) source. The main objective of this work was to check the feasibility of a neutron radiography facility using a low intensity Pu-Be isotopic source and evaluate its performance. To accumulate the neutron exposure, an on-line frame integration method was used for imaging static objects. Because integrated images from the system were mottled and poor in contrast, a video image processing system was employed to enhance the quality of the integrated images. Significant improvements in image quality are seen, when image processing techniques such as smoothing, contrast stretching, edge enhancement, and histogram equalization are employed. This article provides an overview of the improvement in the image quality consequent to implementation of image processing techniques. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.