X-Ray Inspection Based on Scatter Detection
First Claim
1. A method for inspecting a target object comprising:
- illuminating the target object with a collimated beam of penetrating radiation;
detecting backscattered radiation from the beam;
deriving expected reference values based on reference to portions of the target;
comparing characteristic values of the backscattered radiation to the expected reference values; and
determining a descriptive category based on the comparing of which descriptive category characterizes the object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for inspecting an object with a scanned beam of penetrating radiation are disclosed. Scattered radiation from the beam is detected, in either the backward or forward direction. Characteristic values of the backscattered radiation are compared to expected reference values to characterize the object. Additionally, penetrating radiation transmitted through the inspected object may be combined with scatter information. In certain embodiments, the inspected field of view is less than 0.1 steradians, and the detector is separate from the source of penetrating radiation and is disposed, with respect to the object, such as to subtend greater than 0.5 steradians in the field of view of the object.
127 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for inspecting a target object comprising:
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illuminating the target object with a collimated beam of penetrating radiation;
detecting backscattered radiation from the beam;
deriving expected reference values based on reference to portions of the target;
comparing characteristic values of the backscattered radiation to the expected reference values; and
determining a descriptive category based on the comparing of which descriptive category characterizes the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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11. A method for inspecting an object of inspection with penetrating radiation, the method comprising:
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generating a beam of penetrating radiation by means of a concealed source of radiation;
scanning the penetrating radiation across the object;
detecting penetrating radiation transmitted through the object into a concealed transmission detector and generating a transmission signal; and
ascertaining a specified characteristic of the contents of the object based in part on the direct transmission signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 20, 21)
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22. An inspection system for inspecting an object, the system comprising:
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a source of penetrating radiation, disposed with respect to the object such that the inspected field of view is less than 0.1 steradians;
a spatial modulator for forming the penetrating radiation into a beam for irradiating an object with a scanning profile;
a detector for detecting scattered radiation from the object, separated from the source of penetrating radiation, and disposed, with respect to the object, such as to subtend greater than 0.5 steradians in the field of view of the object. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification