Identification and Imaging of Special Nuclear Materials and Contraband using Active x-ray Interrogation

Publication date: 2017 Source:Physics Procedia, Volume 90 Author(s): Seth Van Liew, William Bertozzi, Nathan D’Olympia, Wilbur A. Franklin, Stephen E. Korbly, Robert J. Ledoux, Cody M. Wilson A x-ray inspection system utilizing a continuous-wave 9 MeV rhodotron x-ray source for scanning cargo containers is presented. This system scans for contraband, anomalies, stowaway passengers, and nuclear threats for trucks and towed cargo containers. A transmission image is generated concurrently with a 3D image of the cargo, the latter presenting material information in the form of atomic number and density. Neutrons from photofission are also detected during each scan. In addition, nuclear resonance fluorescence detectors are capable of identifying specific isotopes. This system has recently been deployed at the Port of Boston.

Source: Physics Procedia - October 26, 2017 Category: Physics Source Type: research