Combined X-ray CT/neutron material identification system
First Claim
1. A method for identifying materials of interest within an enclosure, the method comprising:
- a. rotating the enclosure about a first axis;
b. obtaining a three-dimensional image indicative of at least one of a CT number and density of contents of the enclosure;
c. identifying a suspect region of contents of the enclosure based on at least one of the CT number and density;
d. activating a collimated neutron beam to traverse a suspect region;
e. rotating a collimated gamma radiation detector about a second axis noncoincident with the first axis such that the detector intercepts fluorescent emission from the suspect region traversed by the collimated neutron beam;
f. detecting fluorescent emission from the suspect region; and
g. characterizing material within the suspect region based at least on the detected fluorescent emission.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and methods for identifying contents of an enclosure such as an air cargo container. A three-dimensional image indicative of at least one of the CT number and the density of contents of the enclosure is obtained using penetrating radiation such as x-rays. If one or more suspect regions are identified among contents of the enclosure, a collimated neutron beam is activated to traverse each suspect region and fluorescent emission from the suspect region is detected, allowing material within the suspect region to be characterized based at least on the detected fluorescent emission. Additionally, the collimated neutron beam may be employed for neutron imaging of the contents of the enclosure.
53 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for identifying materials of interest within an enclosure, the method comprising:
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a. rotating the enclosure about a first axis; b. obtaining a three-dimensional image indicative of at least one of a CT number and density of contents of the enclosure; c. identifying a suspect region of contents of the enclosure based on at least one of the CT number and density; d. activating a collimated neutron beam to traverse a suspect region; e. rotating a collimated gamma radiation detector about a second axis noncoincident with the first axis such that the detector intercepts fluorescent emission from the suspect region traversed by the collimated neutron beam; f. detecting fluorescent emission from the suspect region; and g. characterizing material within the suspect region based at least on the detected fluorescent emission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for identifying materials of interest within an enclosure, the system comprising:
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a. a CT scanner for obtaining a three-dimensional image indicative of at least one of a CT number, and density of contents of the enclosure, the CT scanner including a stage for supporting the enclosure, the stage rotatable about a first axis; b. a first processor for identifying a suspect region of contents of the enclosure based on at least one of the CT number and density; c. a source for generating a collimated neutron beam to traverse the suspect region of contents of the enclosure; d. a rotatable detector for detecting fluorescent emission from the suspect region upon rotation of the detector about a second axis noncoincident with the first axis; and e. a second processor for characterizing material within the suspect region based at least on the detected fluorescent emission. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification