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): A; US 5200626
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-500165
• OSTI ID: 6047832
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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