Cosmic Ray Inspection System for Material Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting objects using cosmic rays are inefficient in differentiating materials due to long signal collection times and poor material differentiation capabilities, particularly in identifying high and low atomic number materials.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a position-sensitive detector to record the movement trajectory of an object and acquire trajectory information of charged cosmic rays, performing position coincidence and trajectory remodeling to identify materials based on scattering and stopping effects of muons and electrons, allowing for the differentiation of medium to high atomic number materials and low atomic number materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional cosmic ray inspection methods are used to detect materials, then material identification capability is achieved, but signal collection time is excessively long and inspection efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process by separating high atomic number material detection (using muon scattering) from low atomic number material detection (using electron stopping), and further segments the signal collection by focusing on coincident cosmic ray events. This segmentation enables parallel processing of different material types and reduces total collection time while maintaining identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by utilizing the natural periodic flux of cosmic rays and implementing time-coincident detection windows. By synchronizing detection with expected cosmic ray arrival patterns and using time-correlated signal processing, the system efficiently collects sufficient statistical data for material identification without requiring continuous long-duration exposure.
2Measurement precision
If traditional inspection methods are used, then material detection is performed, but material differentiation capability between high and low atomic number materials is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different detection mechanisms for different material types: muon scattering effects are utilized specifically for high atomic number materials while electron stopping effects are used for low atomic number materials. This localized approach to detection physics enables precise material differentiation without requiring a single complex detection system that attempts to handle all material types uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes detection parameters by measuring different physical quantities for different material categories: scattering angle distributions for high atomic number materials and stopping power characteristics for low atomic number materials. By adjusting the detection parameters based on the expected material type and analyzing different aspects of cosmic ray interactions, the system achieves superior material differentiation capability.
3Measurement precision
If additional radiation sources are used for inspection, then imaging quality is improved, but radiation protection requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by utilizing natural cosmic rays as the inspection source rather than requiring artificial radiation sources. The cosmic rays provide sufficient flux and energy for material identification and imaging without introducing additional radiation hazards. This self-service approach to radiation sourcing maintains imaging quality while eliminating the need for additional radiation protection infrastructure and procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the naturally occurring cosmic ray radiation into a beneficial inspection tool. By harnessing the natural flux of high-energy particles from space, the system achieves effective material identification and imaging without the harmful effects associated with deployed radiation sources. The naturally occurring radiation is transformed from a potential hazard into a useful inspection resource.
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
Improves safety inspection efficiency and radiometric imaging quality by enabling rapid and accurate identification of materials, including nuclear, drug, and explosive materials, without additional radiation protection, using natural cosmic rays for inspection.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring information of charged particles in the cosmic ray by using a position-sensitive detector, the information of charged particles including trajectory information of the charged particles
Implementation Method 2
performing position coincidence for the movement trajectory and the trajectory information to determine the object
Implementation Method 3
the medium to high atomic number materials are identified by using a scattering effect of muons
Implementation Method 4
the low atomic number materials are identified by using a stopping effect of electrons
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a method, apparatus and system for inspecting an object based on a cosmic ray, pertaining to the technical field of radiometric imaging and safety inspection. The method includes: recording a movement trajectory of an inspected object by using a monitoring device; acquiring information of charged particles in the cosmic ray by using a position-sensitive detector, the information of charged particles comprising trajectory information of the charged particles; performing position coincidence for the movement trajectory and the trajectory information to determine the object; performing trajectory remodeling for the charged particles according to the information of charged particles; and identifying a material inside the moving object according to the trajectory remodeling. According to the present disclosure, pedestrians who are walking and moving are inspected by using the cosmic ray, and nuclear materials, drugs and explosive materials and the like carried by human bodies may be detected.