A whole-system approach to x-ray spectroscopy in cargo inspection systems

Langeveld, Willem G. J.; Gozani, Tsahi; Ryge, Peter; Sinha, Shrabani; Shaw, Tim; Strellis, Dan

doi:10.1063/1.4802416

Title: A whole-system approach to x-ray spectroscopy in cargo inspection systems

Full Record
Other Related Research

Abstract

The bremsstrahlung x-ray spectrum used in high-energy, high-intensity x-ray cargo inspection systems is attenuated and modified by the materials in the cargo in a Z-dependent way. Therefore, spectroscopy of the detected x rays yields information about the Z of the x-rayed cargo material. It has previously been shown that such ZSpectroscopy (Z-SPEC) is possible under certain circumstances. A statistical approach, Z-SCAN (Z-determination by Statistical Count-rate ANalysis), has also been shown to be effective, and it can be used either by itself or in conjunction with Z-SPEC when the x-ray count rate is too high for individual x-ray spectroscopy. Both techniques require fast x-ray detectors and fast digitization electronics. It is desirable (and possible) to combine all techniques, including x-ray imaging of the cargo, in a single detector array, to reduce costs, weight, and overall complexity. In this paper, we take a whole-system approach to x-ray spectroscopy in x-ray cargo inspection systems, and show how the various parts interact with one another. Faster detectors and read-out electronics are beneficial for both techniques. A higher duty-factor x-ray source allows lower instantaneous count rates at the same overall x-ray intensity, improving the range of applicability of Z-SPEC in particular. Using an intensity-modulated advancedmore »« less

Authors:

Langeveld, Willem G. J.; Gozani, Tsahi; Ryge, Peter; Sinha, Shrabani; Shaw, Tim; Strellis, Dan ^[1]

Rapiscan Laboratories, Inc. 520 Almanor Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94085 (United States)

Publication Date:: Fri Apr 19 00:00:00 EDT 2013

OSTI Identifier:: 22117031

Resource Type:: Journal Article

Journal Name:: AIP Conference Proceedings

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Volume: 1525; Journal Issue: 1; Conference: 22. international conference on application of accelerators in research and industry, Ft. Worth, TX (United States), 5-10 Aug 2012; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0094-243X

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; BARIUM FLUORIDES; BREMSSTRAHLUNG; CARGO; COUNTING RATES; IMAGE PROCESSING; INSPECTION; LEAD TUNGSTATES; LINEAR ACCELERATORS; PHOTODETECTORS; READOUT SYSTEMS; SOLID SCINTILLATION DETECTORS; X RADIATION; X-RAY DETECTION; X-RAY SOURCES; X-RAY SPECTRA; X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY; ZINC OXIDES

Citation Formats


                    Langeveld, Willem G. J., Gozani, Tsahi, Ryge, Peter, Sinha, Shrabani, Shaw, Tim, and Strellis, Dan. A whole-system approach to x-ray spectroscopy in cargo inspection systems.  United States: N. p., 2013. 
        Web.  doi:10.1063/1.4802416.

Copy to clipboard


                    Langeveld, Willem G. J., Gozani, Tsahi, Ryge, Peter, Sinha, Shrabani, Shaw, Tim, & Strellis, Dan. A whole-system approach to x-ray spectroscopy in cargo inspection systems.  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4802416

Copy to clipboard


                    Langeveld, Willem G. J., Gozani, Tsahi, Ryge, Peter, Sinha, Shrabani, Shaw, Tim, and Strellis, Dan. 2013.  
        "A whole-system approach to x-ray spectroscopy in cargo inspection systems".  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4802416.

Copy to clipboard


                    
@article{osti_22117031,

  title        = {A whole-system approach to x-ray spectroscopy in cargo inspection systems},

  author       = {Langeveld, Willem G. J. and Gozani, Tsahi and Ryge, Peter and Sinha, Shrabani and Shaw, Tim and Strellis, Dan},

  abstractNote = {The bremsstrahlung x-ray spectrum used in high-energy, high-intensity x-ray cargo inspection systems is attenuated and modified by the materials in the cargo in a Z-dependent way. Therefore, spectroscopy of the detected x rays yields information about the Z of the x-rayed cargo material. It has previously been shown that such ZSpectroscopy (Z-SPEC) is possible under certain circumstances. A statistical approach, Z-SCAN (Z-determination by Statistical Count-rate ANalysis), has also been shown to be effective, and it can be used either by itself or in conjunction with Z-SPEC when the x-ray count rate is too high for individual x-ray spectroscopy. Both techniques require fast x-ray detectors and fast digitization electronics. It is desirable (and possible) to combine all techniques, including x-ray imaging of the cargo, in a single detector array, to reduce costs, weight, and overall complexity. In this paper, we take a whole-system approach to x-ray spectroscopy in x-ray cargo inspection systems, and show how the various parts interact with one another. Faster detectors and read-out electronics are beneficial for both techniques. A higher duty-factor x-ray source allows lower instantaneous count rates at the same overall x-ray intensity, improving the range of applicability of Z-SPEC in particular. Using an intensity-modulated advanced x-ray source (IMAXS) allows reducing the x-ray count rate for cargoes with higher transmission, and a stacked-detector approach may help material discrimination for the lowest attenuations. Image processing and segmentation allow derivation of results for entire objects, and subtraction of backgrounds. We discuss R and D performed under a number of different programs, showing progress made in each of the interacting subsystems. We discuss results of studies into faster scintillation detectors, including ZnO, BaF{sub 2} and PbWO{sub 4}, as well as suitable photo-detectors, read-out and digitization electronics. We discuss high-duty-factor linear-accelerator x-ray sources and their associated requirements, and how such sources improve spectroscopic techniques. We further discuss how image processing techniques help in correcting for backgrounds and overlapping materials. In sum, we present an integrated picture of how to optimize a cargo inspection system for x-ray spectroscopy.},

  doi          = {10.1063/1.4802416},

  url          = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22117031},
  journal      = {AIP Conference Proceedings},

  issn         = {0094-243X},

  number       = 1,

  volume       = 1525,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Fri Apr 19 00:00:00 EDT 2013},

  month        = {Fri Apr 19 00:00:00 EDT 2013}

}

Copy to clipboard

Journal Article:

https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4802416

Other availability

Find in Google Scholar

Search WorldCat to find libraries that may hold this journal

Save / Share:

Export Metadata

Save to My Library

Similar records in OSTI.GOV collections:

Proposed new accelerator design for homeland security x-ray applications

Journal Article Clayton, James; Shedlock, Daniel; Langeveld, Willem; ... - Physics Procedia

Two goals for security scanning of cargo and freight are the ability to determine the type of material that is being imaged, and to do so at low radiation dose. One commonly used technique to determine the effective Z of the cargo is dual-energy imaging, i.e. imaging with different x-ray energy spectra. Another technique uses the fact that the transmitted x-ray spectrum itself also depends on the effective Z. Spectroscopy is difficult because the energy of individual x rays needs to be measured in a very high count-rate environment. Typical accelerators for security applications offer large but short bursts ofmore »« less
Cited by 5
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phpro.2015.05.032

Full Text Available
Linear accelerator x-ray sources with high duty cycle

Journal Article Condron, Cathie; Brown, Craig; Gozani, Tsahi; ... - AIP Conference Proceedings

X-ray cargo inspection systems typically use a several-MV pulsed linear accelerator (linac) to produce a bremsstrahlung spectrum of x rays by bombarding a target with electrons. The x rays traverse the cargo and are detected by a detector array. Spectroscopy of the detected x rays is very desirable: if one can determine the spectrum of the transmitted x rays, one can determine the Z of the material they traversed. Even in relatively low-dose modes of operation, thousands of x rays arrive at each detector element during each pulse, unless the x rays are heavily absorbed or scattered by the cargo.more »« less
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4802418
Intensity-Modulated Advanced X-ray Source (IMAXS) for Homeland Security Applications

Journal Article Langeveld, Willem; Johnson, William; Owen, Roger; ... - AIP Conference Proceedings

X-ray cargo inspection systems for the detection and verification of threats and contraband require high x-ray energy and high x-ray intensity to penetrate dense cargo. On the other hand, low intensity is desirable to minimize the radiation footprint. A collaboration between HESCO/PTSE Inc., Schonberg Research Corporation and Rapiscan Laboratories, Inc. has been formed in order to design and build an Intensity-Modulated Advanced X-ray Source (IMAXS). Such a source would allow cargo inspection systems to achieve up to two inches greater imaging penetration capability, while retaining the same average radiation footprint as present fixed-intensity sources. Alternatively, the same penetration capability canmore »« less
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3120115
Detection of Special Nuclear Material in Cargo Containers Using Neutron Interrogation

Technical Report Slaughter, D; Accatino, M; Bernstein, A; ...

The goal of the work reported here is to develop a concept for an active neutron interrogation system that can detect small targets of SNM contraband in cargo containers, roughly 5 kg HEU or 1 kg Pu, even when well shielded by a thick cargo. It is essential that the concept be reliable and have low false-positive and false-negative error rates. It also must be rapid to avoid interruption of commerce, completing the analysis in minutes. A new radiation signature unique to SNM has been identified that utilizes high-energy (E{sub {gamma}} = 3-7 MeV) fission product {gamma}-ray emission. Fortunately, thismore »« less
https://doi.org/10.2172/15005260

Full Text Available
Vehicle and cargo container inspection system for drugs

Journal Article Verbinski, Victor; Orphan, Victor - AIP Conference Proceedings

A vehicle and cargo container inspection system has been developed which uses gamma-ray radiography to produce digital images useful for detection of drugs and other contraband. The system is comprised of a 1 Ci Cs{sup 137} gamma-ray source collimated into a fan beam which is aligned with a linear array of NaI gamma-ray detectors located on the opposite side of the container. The NaI detectors are operated in the pulse-counting mode. A digital image of the vehicle or container is obtained by moving the aligned source and detector array relative to the object. Systems have been demonstrated in which themore »« less
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.59278

Similar Records