Methods and systems for remotely detecting hazardous materials using electromagnetic energy
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for remotely detecting nuclear materials, the method comprising:
- transmitting electromagnetic energy in a frequency range of between about 50 GHz and about 3 THz toward a remote target area around an object;
collecting the electromagnetic energy after it has interacted with and been modified by air in the remote target area around the object;
analyzing an absorption spectrum of the collected modified electromagnetic energy in the frequency range of between about 50 GHz and about 3 THz to determine how the electromagnetic energy was modified by the air in the remote target area around the object;
detecting whether the object comprises at least one nuclear material based on the modification to the electromagnetic energy by the air in the remote target area around the object; and
identifying the nuclear material from the modified absorption spectrum if it is detected.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for remotely detecting nuclear and non-nuclear materials such as chemical agents and gas-phase explosives are disclosed. Nuclear and non-nuclear materials may be detected by transmitting electromagnetic energy toward a remote target area, collecting scattered electromagnetic energy reflected from the remote target area, analyzing an absorption spectrum of the collected scattered electromagnetic energy, and detecting a presence of at least one nuclear or non-nuclear material in the remote target area based on the analyzed absorption spectrum.
45 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for remotely detecting nuclear materials, the method comprising:
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transmitting electromagnetic energy in a frequency range of between about 50 GHz and about 3 THz toward a remote target area around an object; collecting the electromagnetic energy after it has interacted with and been modified by air in the remote target area around the object; analyzing an absorption spectrum of the collected modified electromagnetic energy in the frequency range of between about 50 GHz and about 3 THz to determine how the electromagnetic energy was modified by the air in the remote target area around the object; detecting whether the object comprises at least one nuclear material based on the modification to the electromagnetic energy by the air in the remote target area around the object; and identifying the nuclear material from the modified absorption spectrum if it is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for remotely detecting nuclear material, wherein the system comprises:
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a transmitter that transmits electromagnetic energy in a frequency range of between about 50 GHz and about 3 THz toward a remote target area around an object; a detector that collects the electromagnetic energy after it has interacted with and been modified by air in the remote target area around the object; an analyzer that analyzes an absorption spectrum of the collected modified electromagnetic energy in the frequency range of between about 50 GHz and about 3 THz to determine how the electromagnetic energy was modified by the air in the remote target area around the object and detects whether the object comprises at least one nuclear material based on the modification to the electromagnetic energy by the air in the remote target area around the object. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for remotely detecting non-nuclear materials, the method comprising:
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transmitting electromagnetic energy in a frequency range of between about 50 GHz and about 3 THz toward a remote target area around an object; collecting the electromagnetic energy after it has interacted with and been modified by air in the remote target area around the object; analyzing an absorption spectrum of the collected modified electromagnetic energy in the frequency range of between about 50 GHz and about 3 THz to determine how the electromagnetic energy was modified by the air in the remote target area around the object; and detecting whether the object comprises at least one non-nuclear material based on the modification to the electromagnetic energy by the air in the remote target area around the object. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for remotely detecting non-nuclear material, wherein the system comprises:
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a transmitter that transmits electromagnetic energy in a frequency range of between about 50 GHz and about 3 THz toward a remote target area around an object; a detector that collects the electromagnetic energy after it has interacted with and been modified by air in the remote target area around the object; an analyzer that analyzes an absorption spectrum of the collected modified electromagnetic energy in the frequency range of between about 50 GHz and about 3 THz to determine how the electromagnetic energy was modified by the air in the remote target area around the object and detects whether the object comprises at least one non-nuclear material based on the modification to the electromagnetic energy by the air in the remote target area around the object. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification