Charged Particle Scanners for 3D Material Discrimination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current scanning technologies, such as single-energy or dual-energy X-ray imaging, have limited material discrimination capability, leading to high alert rates and low detection probabilities of threats, necessitating secondary inspections and inefficient staffing.
Innovation Solution
A charged particle scanner that utilizes multiple coulomb scattering and attenuation of charged particles to create a 3D map of atomic number and density by manipulating a charged particle beam through various angles, incorporating a beam steering system, particle tracking detectors, and a calorimeter to improve material discrimination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray imaging technology is used for scanning, then scanning capability is provided, but material discrimination capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from X-ray absorption coefficient to multiple material properties including electron density, atomic number, and effective charge by using charged particle scattering and energy loss measurements. This allows discrimination between materials with similar X-ray absorption characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D X-ray imaging to 3D tomographic reconstruction by collecting scattering data from multiple angles and reconstructing volumetric maps of material properties, adding spatial dimensionality to the measurement.
2Reliability
If single-energy or dual-energy X-ray imaging is used, then scanning is achieved, but alert rate is high
Solution Approach 1:
By measuring multiple independent material properties (electron density, atomic number, effective charge) instead of relying on a single X-ray absorption coefficient, the system can more reliably distinguish threats from non-threats, reducing false alarms while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Reliability
If secondary inspection is performed due to high alert rate, then potential threats can be verified, but staffing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated threat detection and material identification without requiring manual secondary inspection, making the scanning system self-sufficient in identifying threats and reducing dependence on human operators for verification.
4Measurement precision
If charged particle beam scanning is implemented, then material discrimination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charged particle beam system serves multiple functions: it probes material composition through scattering, measures electron density through energy loss, and enables 3D tomographic reconstruction, replacing multiple specialized instruments with a single multi-functional platform.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances material differentiation, reduces false alarm rates, and lowers staffing requirements by providing better throughput and automated threat detection with lower operational costs compared to X-ray tomography.
Implementation Method 1
detection of materials by measuring multiple coulomb scattering and attenuation of charged particles traversing a volume of interest (VOI)
Implementation Method 2
measuring multiple coulomb scattering and attenuation of charged particles traversing a volume of interest (VOI)
Data Source
AI summary
A volume interrogation system can use an accelerated beam of charged particles to interrogate objects using charged-particle attenuation and scattering tomography to screen items such as portable electronic devices, packages, baggage, industrial products, or food products for the presence of materials of interest inside. The exemplary systems and methods in this patent document can be employed in checkpoint applications to scan items. Such checkpoint applications can include border crossings, mass transit terminals (subways, buses, railways, ferries, etc.), and government and private-sector facilities.