Purdue Research Foundation

Raytheon Company

David S Koltick

Jayson Kahle Bopp

Yeong E Kim

Paul G Jones

Ivan S Novikov

Howard M Harmless

Joseph C Deno

Aaron B Copeland

A system and method are described for capturing and analyzing gamma rays from neutron excitation of a region in 3-space being analyzed for explosives. A processor analyzes the results, determining whether underground explosives are present in a particular region of the ground. In one embodiment, one gamma ray energy band is used to infer an amount of silicon in the region, while another indicates the combined amount of silicon and nitrogen. The concentration of nitrogen in the region is inferred and used to trigger an 'explosive found' or a 'no explosive found' signal. In other embodiments, the system or method uses inferences about other elemental constituents of the ground being examined, sometimes taking as input analyzes from prior scans, and providing output indicating the likelihood of the presence of explosives in the region.

Detection of buried explosives

A system for detecting explosive materials includes at least one deuterium/tritium neutron generator module, at least one germanium detector module, and an analysis module. The deuterium/tritium neutron generator module bombards an object with neutrons. The germanium detector module detects gamma rays emitted by the object in response to the neutrons. The analysis module analyzes the gamma rays detected by the germanium detector module for the presence of explosive materials on or within the object.

System and method for detecting explosive materials

A radiation detection system and method suitable for use by a first responder to detect a radiological source. The system includes a container that encloses a chamber containing a pressurized inert gas. Incident gamma rays pass through walls of the container to interact with inert gas atoms within the chamber. Wavelength-shifting fiber elements are disposed within scintillator bars oriented parallel to and radially spaced from the chamber axis. At least one sensor is interconnected with the fiber elements to receive first signals therefrom in response to the scattered gamma rays. An electrically-charged wire is disposed within the container along the axis thereof. The wire is adapted to attract electrons released from atoms of the inert gas that are ionized from being impacted by an incident gamma ray, and then produce second signals in response to the released electrons. Electronic circuitry collects the first and second signals, and a processor acquires and analyzes the first and second signals to produce an output based thereon.

Direction-sensitive radiation detector and radiation detection method

Growing community of inventors

Lafayette, IN, United States of America

David S Koltick