A new proof-of-principle contraband detection system
- Northrop Grumman Corp., Bethpage, NY (United States). Advanced Technology and Development Center
- British Columbia Univ., Vancouver, BC (Canada). TRIUMF Facility
- Scientific Innovations, Inc., East Hampton, NY (United States)
A new concept for a CDS has been developed under a Phase I ARPA funded program; it uses gamma resonance absorption (GRA) to detect certain illegal drugs that may be transported in man-portable containers. A high detection probability for heroin and cocaine is possible with a device that is also searching for explosives. Elemental detection of both N and Cl is utilized, and with tomography, a 3D density image of the elements is generated. Total density image is also developed. These two together may be used with considerable confidence in determining if heroin or cocaine is present in the interrogated containers in a small quantity (1 kg). The CDS employs a high current ({ge}10 mA) DC accelerator that produces a beam of 1.75 or 1.89 MeV protons. These protons impact a target with coatings of {sup 13}C and {sup 34}S. Depending on the coating, the resultant resonant gamma rays are preferentially absorbed in either {sup 14}N or {sup 35}Cl. The resonant gammas come off the target in a conical fan at 80.7{degree} for N and 82{degree} for Cl; a common array of segmented BGO detectors is used over an arc of 53{degree} to provide input to an imaging subsystem. The tomography makes use of rotation and vertical translation of a baggage carousel holding typically 18 average sized bags for batch processing of the contents. The single proton accelerator and target can supply multiple detection stations with the appropriate gammas, a feature that may lead to very high throughput potential approaching 2000 bags/hr. Each detection station can operate somewhat independently from the others. This paper presents the overall requirements, design, operating principles, and characteristics of the CDS proof-of-principle device developed in the Phase I program.
- Research Organization:
- British Columbia Univ., Vancouver, BC (Canada). TRIUMF Facility
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Department of the Air Force, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 285220
- Report Number(s):
- TRI-PP-95-93; CONF-9510221-5; ON: DE96013381; CNN: Contract F0865094C0097
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: ONDCP international technology symposium, Nashua, NH (United States), 23-27 Oct 1995; Other Information: PBD: Dec 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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