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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Contraband detection system using direct imaging pulsed fast neutrons

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5589391

This patent describes contraband detection apparatus. It comprises means for irradiating an object under investigation with a collimated pulsed beam of fast neutrons having a pulse width of less than 5 nanoseconds; first detecting means for detecting gamma rays emitted from the object as a result of interactions between a neutron from the pulsed beam of fast neutrons and an atomic nucleus within the object; identifying means for identifying a particular atomic element which gives rise to a particular detected gamma ray; locating means for determining the approximate location within the object of the origin of each gamma ray detected by the detecting means without the necessity of detecting associated particles; and second detection means responsive to the irradiating means, identifying means and locating means for detecting a distribution and concentration of at least one atomic element within the object indicative of the presence of contraband.

Assignee:
Science Applications International Corp., San Diego, CA (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5076993; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-464111
OSTI ID:
5589391
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English