Hidden explosives detector employing pulsed neutron and x-ray interrogation

Patent · Tue Apr 06 00:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:6047832

Schultz, F J; Caldwell, J T

Methods and systems for the detection of small amounts of modern, highly-explosive nitrogen-based explosives, such as plastic explosives, hidden in airline baggage. Several techniques are employed either individually or combined in a hybrid system. One technique employed in combination is X-ray imaging. Another technique is interrogation with a pulsed neutron source in a two-phase mode of operation to image both nitrogen and oxygen densities. Another technique employed in combination is neutron interrogation to form a hydrogen density image or three-dimensional map. In addition, deliberately-placed neutron-absorbing materials can be detected.

• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5200626; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-500165
• OSTI ID: 6047832
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 28 Mar 1990
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
DETECTION
AIRPORTS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
IMAGES
NEUTRON REACTIONS
NEUTRON SOURCES
NITROGEN
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
OXYGEN
SECURITY
X RADIATION
BARYON REACTIONS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
EXPLOSIVES
HADRON REACTIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
NONMETALS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEON REACTIONS
PARTICLE SOURCES
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIATIONS
400101* - Activation
Nuclear Reaction
Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures