Abstract Imaging techniques based on neutron beams are rapidly developing and have become versatile non-destructive analyzing tools in many research fields. Due to their intrinsic properties, neutrons differ strongly from electrons, protons or X-rays in terms of their interaction with matter: they penetrate deeply into most common metallic materials while they have a high sensitivity to light elements such as hydrogen, hydrogenous substances, or lithium. This makes neutrons perfectly suited probes for research on materials that are used for energy storage and conversion, e.g., batteries, hydrogen storage, fuel cells, etc. Moreover, their wave properties can be exploited to perform diffraction, phase-contrast and dark-field imaging experiments. Their magnetic moment allows for resolving magnetic properties in bulk samples. This review will focus on recent applications of neutron imaging techniques in both materials research and fundamental science illustrated by examples selected from different areas.

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中子成像的进展

摘要 基于中子束的成像技术发展迅速，已成为许多研究领域中通用的无损分析工具。由于它们的内在特性，中子在与物质的相互作用方面与电子、质子或 X 射线有很大不同：它们能深入大多数常见的金属材料，同时对轻元素如氢、含氢物质或锂。这使得中子非常适合研究用于能量存储和转换的材料，例如电池、储氢、燃料电池等。 此外，它们的波特性可用于执行衍射、相衬和暗场成像实验。它们的磁矩允许解析散装样品的磁性。