Evaluation of active and passive near-millimeter-wave radiometric imaging techniques for detection of concealed objects

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6269875

Reber, E E; Foote, F B; Schellenbaum, R L; Bradley, R G

Active and passive radiometric imaging techniques have been used at 1.4- and 3-mm wavelengths (220 and 100 GHz) to evaluate their potential use in detecting concealed objects. An evaluation of the techniques includes a particular study of their potential in detecting shielded nuclear materials and explosives carried covertly by personnel. We have previously reported images of metal objects and nuclear shielding materials that were detected when concealed under clothing. These images appear with the human body as background. Detection of contraband by radiometric imaging techniques depends upon the differences in emissivity and reflectivity of the contraband relative to human tissue. Explosives, unlike metals and metal composites, generally have high emissivities and low reflectivities that closely approximate those of human tissue making explosives difficult to detect. Samples of several common types of explosives (TNT, Detasheet, C4, and several types of water gels) have been examined at the 1.4- and 3-mm wavelengths using active and passive radiometric techniques.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); Aerospace Corp., Los Angeles, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6269875
• Report Number(s): SAND-81-1051; ON: DE81031938; TRN: 81-016527
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
DETECTION
DETONATORS
METALS
NUCLEAR MATERIALS DIVERSION
SHIELDING MATERIALS
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
IMAGES
PERSONNEL
SECURITY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
EXPLOSIVES
INFRARED RADIATION
MATERIALS
RADIATIONS
055001* - Nuclear Fuels- Safeguards
Inspection
& Accountability- Technical Aspects