Lobster eye X-ray imaging system and method of fabrication thereof
First Claim
1. A backscatter-based X-ray staring imaging apparatus comprising:
- at least one X-ray generator for irradiating a selected target with a non-scanning beam;
an X-ray focusing device positioned for receiving X-ray backscatter from said irradiated target; and
a detector positioned relative to said focusing device for forming an image from said received X-ray backscatter;
wherein said focusing device comprises a lobster eye structure;
wherein said lobster eye structure comprises a decussate arrangement of interleaved wafer-thin flat ribs configured as a unitary three-dimensional meshed array forming a plurality of contiguous channels of continuously diminishing square cross-section, each of said flat ribs being a segment of an annulus having an inner circumference and an outer circumference.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A Lobster Eye X-ray Imaging System based on a unique Lobster Eye (LE) structure, X-ray generator, scintillator-based detector and cooled CCD (or Intensified CCD) for real-time, safe, staring Compton backscatter X-ray detection of objects hidden under ground, in containers, behind walls, bulkheads etc. In contrast to existing scanning pencil beam systems, Lobster Eye X-Ray Imaging System'"'"'s true focusing X-ray optics simultaneously acquire ballistic Compton backscattering photons (CBPs) from an entire scene irradiated by a wide-open cone beam from one or more X-ray generators. The Lobster Eye X-ray Imaging System collects (focuses) thousands of times more backscattered hard X-rays in the range from 40 to 120 keV (or wavelength λ=0.31 to 0.1 Å) than current backscatter imaging sensors (BISs), giving high sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and penetration through ground, metal walls etc. The collection efficiency of Lobster Eye X-ray Imaging System is optimized to reduce emitted X-ray power and miniaturize the device. This device is especially advantageous for and satisfies requirements of X-ray-based inspection systems, namely, penetration of the X-rays through ground, metal and other material concealments; safety; and man-portability. The advanced technology disclosed herein is also applicable to medical diagnostics and military applications such as mine detection, security screening and a like.
59 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A backscatter-based X-ray staring imaging apparatus comprising:
-
at least one X-ray generator for irradiating a selected target with a non-scanning beam; an X-ray focusing device positioned for receiving X-ray backscatter from said irradiated target; and a detector positioned relative to said focusing device for forming an image from said received X-ray backscatter; wherein said focusing device comprises a lobster eye structure; wherein said lobster eye structure comprises a decussate arrangement of interleaved wafer-thin flat ribs configured as a unitary three-dimensional meshed array forming a plurality of contiguous channels of continuously diminishing square cross-section, each of said flat ribs being a segment of an annulus having an inner circumference and an outer circumference. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. An X-ray inspection system for generating an image of at least one object hidden behind a wall;
- the system comprising;
at least one X-ray source generating open cone X-ray radiation for irradiating an area to be inspected which area includes said wall and object; a digital X-ray imaging detector for converting an X-ray image into an electronic image; a lobster eye-based X-ray focusing structure for receiving and focusing X-ray radiation backscattered from said inspected area and onto said imaging detector for imaging said at least one object; wherein said lobster eye-based X-ray focusing structure comprises a decussate arrangement of interleaved wafer-thin flat ribs configured as a unitary three-dimensional meshed array forming a plurality of contiguous channels of continuously diminishing square cross-section, each of said flat ribs being a segment of an annulus having an inner circumference and an outer circumference. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
- the system comprising;
-
10. A lobster eye lens comprising:
-
a decussate arrangement of interleaved wafer-thin flat ribs configured as a three-dimensional array forming a plurality of contiguous channels of continuously diminishing square cross-section; wherein each of said flat ribs is a segment of an annulus having an inner circumference and an outer circumference. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A lobster eye lens comprising:
-
a decussate arrangement of interleaved wafer-thin flat ribs configured as a three-dimensional array forming a plurality of contiguous channels of continuously diminishing square cross-section; wherein each of said flat ribs is a segment of an annulus having an inner circumference and an outer circumference and wherein a first plurality of said flat ribs have slots extending from said inner circumference and a second plurality of said flat ribs have slots extending from said outer circumference. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
-
17. An X-ray imaging system comprising at least one-X-ray source for generating X-ray energy toward a proximate target area, a detector having a focal surface for receiving backscatter X-rays reflected from the target area, and a lobster eye lens for focusing said backscatter X-rays onto said detector focal surface;
-
said lobster eye lens having a decussate arrangement of interleaved wafer thin flat ribs configured as a three-dimensional array forming a plurality of contiguous channels of continuously diminishing square cross-section; said flat ribs being a segment of an annulus having an inner circumference and an outer circumference.
-
-
18. An angular staring spectrometer comprising:
-
an X-ray source positioned at a first selected location relative to a sample to be analyzed; a lobster eye lens positioned at a second selected location relative to said sample, said lens having a focusing surface; and a plurality of X-ray detectors located on said focusing surface as an array of detectors selectively spaced from each other to provide an output based upon the cross-sectional geometry of the scattering cone generated by the X-ray backscatter from said sample which is indicative of the material of said sample; said lobster eye lens having a decussate arrangement of interleaved wafer thin flat ribs configured as a three-dimensional array forming a plurality of contiguous channels of continuously diminishing square cross-section; said flat ribs being a segment of an annulus having an inner circumference and an outer circumference.
-
-
19. A method of generating an image of objects in an area being inspected;
- the method comprising the steps of;
irradiating said area with X-ray energy; positioning a detector for receiving X-ray backscatter from said irradiated area; and placing an X-ray lobster eye lens between said area and said detector for focusing said X-ray backscatter onto said detector; said lobster eye lens having a decussate arrangement of interleaved wafer thin flat ribs configured as a three-dimensional array forming a plurality of contiguous channels of continuously diminishing square cross-section; said flat ribs being a segment of an annulus having an inner circumference and an outer circumference. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
- the method comprising the steps of;
Specification