Isotopic imaging via nuclear resonance fluorescence with laser-based Thomson radiation
Abstract
The present invention utilizes novel laser-based, high-brightness, high-spatial-resolution, pencil-beam sources of spectrally pure hard x-ray and gamma-ray radiation to induce resonant scattering in specific nuclei, i.e., nuclear resonance fluorescence. By monitoring such fluorescence as a function of beam position, it is possible to image in either two dimensions or three dimensions, the position and concentration of individual isotopes in a specific material configuration. Such methods of the present invention material identification, spatial resolution of material location and ability to locate and identify materials shielded by other materials, such as, for example, behind a lead wall. The foundation of the present invention is the generation of quasimonochromatic high-energy x-ray (100's of keV) and gamma-ray (greater than about 1 MeV) radiation via the collision of intense laser pulses from relativistic electrons. Such a process as utilized herein, i.e., Thomson scattering or inverse-Compton scattering, produces beams having diameters from about 1 micron to about 100 microns of high-energy photons with a bandwidth of .DELTA.E/E of approximately 10E.sup.-3.
- Inventors:
-
- Hayward, CA
- San Ramon, CA
- Alameda, CA
- Brentwood, CA
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 968643
- Patent Number(s):
- 7564241
- Application Number:
- 11/528,182
- Assignee:
- Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Citation Formats
Barty, Christopher P. J., Hartemann, Frederic V, McNabb, Dennis P, and Pruet, Jason A. Isotopic imaging via nuclear resonance fluorescence with laser-based Thomson radiation. United States: N. p., 2009.
Web.
Barty, Christopher P. J., Hartemann, Frederic V, McNabb, Dennis P, & Pruet, Jason A. Isotopic imaging via nuclear resonance fluorescence with laser-based Thomson radiation. United States.
Barty, Christopher P. J., Hartemann, Frederic V, McNabb, Dennis P, and Pruet, Jason A. Tue .
"Isotopic imaging via nuclear resonance fluorescence with laser-based Thomson radiation". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/968643.
@article{osti_968643,
title = {Isotopic imaging via nuclear resonance fluorescence with laser-based Thomson radiation},
author = {Barty, Christopher P. J. and Hartemann, Frederic V and McNabb, Dennis P and Pruet, Jason A},
abstractNote = {The present invention utilizes novel laser-based, high-brightness, high-spatial-resolution, pencil-beam sources of spectrally pure hard x-ray and gamma-ray radiation to induce resonant scattering in specific nuclei, i.e., nuclear resonance fluorescence. By monitoring such fluorescence as a function of beam position, it is possible to image in either two dimensions or three dimensions, the position and concentration of individual isotopes in a specific material configuration. Such methods of the present invention material identification, spatial resolution of material location and ability to locate and identify materials shielded by other materials, such as, for example, behind a lead wall. The foundation of the present invention is the generation of quasimonochromatic high-energy x-ray (100's of keV) and gamma-ray (greater than about 1 MeV) radiation via the collision of intense laser pulses from relativistic electrons. Such a process as utilized herein, i.e., Thomson scattering or inverse-Compton scattering, produces beams having diameters from about 1 micron to about 100 microns of high-energy photons with a bandwidth of .DELTA.E/E of approximately 10E.sup.-3.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2009},
month = {7}
}