Hidden explosives detector employing pulsed neutron and x-ray interrogation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for detecting explosive material hidden in a package, comprising:
- the initial steps, in any order, of;
employing pulsed thermal neutron interrogation and 10.8 MeV gamma ray detection to form a nitrogen density image of the package; and
employing fast neutron interrogation and 6 and 7 MeV gamma ray detection to form an oxygen density image of the package; and
then considering the images together to determine whether the package likely contains explosive material.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for the detection of small amounts of modern, highly-explosive nitrogen-based explosives, such as plastic explosives, hidden in airline baggage. Several techniques are employed either individually or combined in a hybrid system. One technique employed in combination is X-ray imaging. Another technique is interrogation with a pulsed neutron source in a two-phase mode of operation to image both nitrogen and oxygen densities. Another technique employed in combination is neutron interrogation to form a hydrogen density image or three-dimensional map. In addition, deliberately-placed neutron-absorbing materials can be detected.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for detecting explosive material hidden in a package, comprising:
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the initial steps, in any order, of; employing pulsed thermal neutron interrogation and 10.8 MeV gamma ray detection to form a nitrogen density image of the package; and employing fast neutron interrogation and 6 and 7 MeV gamma ray detection to form an oxygen density image of the package; and then considering the images together to determine whether the package likely contains explosive material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for detecting explosive material hidden in a package, comprising:
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a pulsed neutron source for interrogating the package with both thermal and fast neutrons; an array of gamma ray detectors for detecting 10.8 MeV gamma rays emitted by nitrogen atoms within the package as a result of thermal neutron interrogation for forming a nitrogen density image of the package, and for detecting 6 and 7 MeV gamma rays emitted by oxygen atoms within the package following fast neutron interrogation for forming an oxygen density image of the package; and analysis means for determining whether the package likely contains explosive material based on the nitrogen density and oxygen density images. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for detecting explosive material hidden in a package, comprising:
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the initial steps, in any order, of; employing X-rays to form an X-ray image of the package, employing pulsed neutron interrogation and gamma ray detection to form a nitrogen density image of the package, employing neutron interrogation to form a hydrogen density image of the package; and then considering the images together to determine whether the package likely contains explosive material. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. Apparatus for detecting explosive material hidden in a package, comprising:
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an X-ray imaging device for forming an X-ray image of the package; a pulsed neutron source for interrogating the package; an array of gamma ray detectors synchronized with said pulsed neutron source for detecting gamma rays emitted by nitrogen atoms within the package as a result of neutron interrogation for forming a nitrogen density image of the package; an array of neutron detectors for producing a hydrogen density image of the package based on scattering of neutrons by hydrogen atoms within the package; and analysis means for determining whether the package likely contains explosive material based on the X-ray, nitrogen density and hydrogen density images. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. Apparatus for detecting explosive material hidden in a package, comprising:
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an X-ray imaging device for forming an X-ray image of the package; a pulsed neutron source for interrogating the package with both thermal and fast neutrons; an array of gamma ray detectors for detecting 10.8 MeV gamma rays emitted by nitrogen atoms within the package as a result of thermal neutron interrogation for forming a nitrogen density image of the package, and for detecting 6 and 7 MeV gamma rays emitted by oxygen atoms within the package following fast neutron interrogation for forming an oxygen density image of the package; and an array of neutron detectors for producing a hydrogen density image of the package based on scattering of neutrons by hydrogen atoms within the package; and analysis means for determining whether the package likely contains explosive material based on the X-ray, nitrogen density, oxygen density and hydrogen density images.
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Specification