Compact systems and methods for generating a diffraction profile

• US 7,486,760 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2006
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Morpho Detection (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: GE Security Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Harding, Geoffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): SONG, HOON K
• Application Number:
  US11/504,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20080043912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 378 4- 20, 378/57, 378/70, 378/82, 378/83, 378 86- 90, 378/122
• US Class Current: 378/7
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/20 by using diffraction of the radiation by the materials, e.g. for investigating crystal structure; by using scattering of the radiation by the materials, e.g. for investigating non-crystalline materials; by using reflection of the radiation by the materials

Abstract

An imaging system for generating a diffraction profile is described. The imaging system includes a gantry including an x-ray imaging system configured to generate an x-ray image of a substance and a scatter system configured to generate a diffraction profile of the substance.

Claims

1. An imaging system for generating a diffraction profile of a substance, said imaging system comprising:

a plurality of stationary radiation sources;

a transmission detector configured to receive a primary beam generated by at least one stationary radiation source of said plurality of stationary radiation sources; and

at least one scatter detector configured to receive a scattered beam formed by said primary beam interacting with the substance, said at least one scatter detector moveable with respect to said plurality of stationary radiation sources.

2. An imaging system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to activate said at least one stationary radiation source for an amount of time based on a distance between said at least one stationary radiation source and a centroid of the substance.

3. An imaging system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to activate said at least one stationary radiation source for an amount of time based on a distance between a centroid of the substance and said at least one scatter detector.

4. An imaging system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of stationary radiation sources are located within a first plane, said transmission detector is located within a second plane, and said at least one scatter detector is located within a third plane, wherein said first plane, said second plane, and said third plane are substantially parallel, and wherein said first plane is spaced a first distance from said second plane and spaced a second distance from said third plane.

5. An imaging system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising primary collimator configured to collimate said primary radiation beam generated by said at least stationary one radiation source, and said primary collimator configured to be stationary with respect to said at least one stationary radiation source.

6. An imaging system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a guide rail, wherein said at least one scatter detector configured to move along said guide rail with respect to said plurality of stationary radiation sources.

7. An imaging system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of stationary radiation sources comprises a plurality of X-ray sources.

8. An imaging system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said least one stationary radiation sources is configured to generate a radiation beam that is incident on a container to generate said scattered beam, wherein said primary beam is detected by said transmission detector and said scattered beam is detected by said at least one scatter detector.

9. An imaging system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a processor configured to activate said at least one stationary radiation source when a portion of said at least one scatter detector is located at a line-of-sight passing through a centroid of the substance.

10. An imaging system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said plurality of stationary radiation sources are located within a first plane, said transmission detector is located within a second plane, and said at least one scatter detector is located within a third plane, wherein said first plane, said second plane, and said third plane are substantially parallel, and wherein said first plane is spaced a first distance from said second plane and spaced a second distance from said third plane.

11. An imaging system in accordance with claim 9, further comprising a primary collimator configured to collimate a radiation beam generated by said at least one stationary radiation source, and said primary collimator configured to be stationary with respect to said at least one stationary radiation source.

12. An imaging system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said at least one stationary radiation source is configured to generate a radiation beam that is incident on a container to output said primary beam and said scattered beam, said primary beam detected by said transmission detector and said scattered beam detected by said at least one scatter detector.

13. An imaging system for generating a diffraction profile of a substance, said imaging system comprising:

a gantry fixedly coupled within said imaging system;

a plurality of stationary radiation sources coupled to said gantry;

a transmission detector coupled to said gantry at a location to receive a primary beam generated by at least one stationary radiation source of said plurality of stationary radiation sources;

at least one scatter detector coupled to said gantry at a location to receive a scattered beam formed by said primary beam interacting with the substance, said at least one scatter detector moveable with respect to said plurality of stationary radiation sources; and

a processor operatively coupled to said plurality of stationary radiation sources and configured to control at least said plurality of stationary radiation sources.

14. An imaging system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said plurality of stationary radiation sources comprises a plurality of X-ray sources.

15. An imaging system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said at least one stationary radiation source configured to generate a radiation beam that is incident on a container to generate said primary beam and said scattered beam, said primary beam detected by said transmission detector and said scattered beam detected by said at least one scatter detector.

16. An imaging system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said plurality of stationary radiation sources are located within a first plane, said transmission detector is located within a second plane, and said at least one scatter detector is located within a third plane, wherein said first plane said second plane, and said third plane are substantially parallel, and wherein said first plane is spaced a first distance from said second plane and spaced a second distance from said third plane.

17. An imaging system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said plurality of stationary radiation sources are positioned between said transmission detector and said at least one scatter detector.