Tomographic scanning X-ray inspection system using transmitted and compton scattered radiation
First Claim
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1. A scanning X-ray inspection system, comprising:
- a) a conveyor having a belt for moving ah object to be scanned though said system;
b) an X-ray generation device for generating a pencil beam of X-rays repeatedly sweeping along a straight line across said conveyor, thereby scanning said object as it moves through said system, said X-ray generation device being disposed outside said belt;
c) a fast backscatter detector for generating a backscatter signal when detecting said X-rays backscattered by said object moving on said conveyor, said backscatter detector being disposed on the same side of said moving object as said X-ray generation device, outside said belt, and proximate to said straight line;
d) a transmission detector for generating a transmission signal when detecting said X-rays traversing said object moving on said conveyor, said transmission detector being positioned on the opposite side of said object as said backscatter detector, whereby said object moves between said transmission detector and said backscatter detector;
e) a processor for processing said backscatter and transmission signals for a display; and
f) a display means for displaying a backscatter image and/or a transmission image.
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Abstract
X-ray radiation is transmitted through and scattered from an object under inspection to detect weapons, narcotics, explosives or other contraband. Relatively fast scintillators are employed for faster X-ray detection efficiency and significantly improved image resolution. Detector design is improved by the use of optically adiabatic scintillators. Switching between photon-counting and photon integration modes reduces noise and significantly increases overall image quality.
83 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A scanning X-ray inspection system, comprising:
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a) a conveyor having a belt for moving ah object to be scanned though said system;
b) an X-ray generation device for generating a pencil beam of X-rays repeatedly sweeping along a straight line across said conveyor, thereby scanning said object as it moves through said system, said X-ray generation device being disposed outside said belt;
c) a fast backscatter detector for generating a backscatter signal when detecting said X-rays backscattered by said object moving on said conveyor, said backscatter detector being disposed on the same side of said moving object as said X-ray generation device, outside said belt, and proximate to said straight line;
d) a transmission detector for generating a transmission signal when detecting said X-rays traversing said object moving on said conveyor, said transmission detector being positioned on the opposite side of said object as said backscatter detector, whereby said object moves between said transmission detector and said backscatter detector;
e) a processor for processing said backscatter and transmission signals for a display; and
f) a display means for displaying a backscatter image and/or a transmission image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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- 14. A fast backscatter detector for use in a tomographic scanning X-ray inspection system, comprising an organic plastic scintillator having an exit end and a photomultiplier tube mounted at said exit end, and said end being shaped to project light into said photomultiplier tube.
- 16. A transmission detector for use in a tomographic scanning X-ray inspection system, comprising an organic plastic scintillator having the shape of a U and a photomultiplier tube mounted at one end of said U-shape, said one end being shaped to project light into said photomultiplier tube.
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18. A method for X-ray inspection of an object using transmitted and Compton backscattered radiation, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an X-ray source, a conveyor having a belt, a fast transmission detector, and a fast backscatter detector, said X-ray source and said fast backscatter detector being disposed on one side of said belt and said transmission detector being disposed on the other side of said belt;
b) generating a pencil beam of X-rays using said X-ray source;
d) transporting said object on said belt of said conveyor between said X-ray source and said transmission detector and through said pencil beam;
d) scanning said object with said pencil beam of X-rays;
e) detecting X-ray transmission through said object using said fast transmission detector;
f) selecting a detection mode for detecting said transmission X-rays, said mode being at least one of photon integration and photon counting;
g) detecting X-rays backscattered from said object using said fast backscatter detector;
g) selecting a detection mode for detecting said backscattered X-rays, said mode being at least one of photon integration and photon counting;
h) forming a transmission image from said detected transmission X-rays i) displaying said transmission image;
j) forming a backscattered image from said detected backscattered X-rays; and
k) displaying said backscattered image. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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27. A scanning X-ray inspection system, comprising:
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a) a conveyor having a belt for moving an object to be scanned though said system;
b) an X-ray generation device for generating a pencil beam of X-rays repeatedly sweeping along a straight line across said conveyor, thereby scanning said object as it moves through said system, said X-ray generation device being disposed outside said belt;
c) a fast backscatter detector for generating a backscatter signal when detecting said X-rays backscattered by said object moving on said conveyor, said fast backscatter detector comprising a scintillator having a short persistence phosphor and at least one photon detector and being disposed on the same side of said moving object as said X-ray generation device, outside said belt, and proximate to said straight line;
d) a transmission detector for generating a transmission signal when detecting said X-rays traversing said object moving on said conveyor, said transmission detector comprising a scintillator having a short persistence phosphor and at least one photon detector and being positioned on the opposite side of said object as said backscatter detector, whereby said object moves between said transmission detector and said backscatter detector;
e) a processor for processing said backscatter and transmission signals for a display; and
f) a display means for displaying a backscatter image and/or a transmission image.
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Specification