Heimann Systems Gmbh

Smiths Heimann Gmbh

Frank Cordes

Martin Hartick

Patricia Schall

Hermann Ries

A method and an apparatus for detecting items in objects, such as in luggage, wherein a detector apparatus, functioning as a second detector is divided into a lower testing stage and a higher testing stage. In the lower testing stage, the coordinates of the object location are determined, and subsequently, a diffraction apparatus is moved to this location in the higher testing stage. In particular, X-ray diffraction can be employed to determine the explosive material of the item in the object. The diffraction apparatus comprises a collimator/detector arrangement, which is disposed to be adjusted height-wise and laterally in the higher testing stage, with a laterally-adjustable X-ray source, which is synchronized with the collimator/detector arrangement. The collimator/detector arrangement preferably has only one collimator and one detector. The collimator preferably has a conically-expanding ring slot, which a predetermined angle &#x398;of a scatter radiation.

Apparatus and method for detecting items in objects

A diffraction apparatus ( ) for determining crystalline and polycrystalline materials of an item in objects, preferably in luggage, having a collimation/detector arrangement ( ) and an X-ray source ( ) and which is mounted to be adjustable in an X-ray testing machine ( ). The collimation/detector arrangement ( ) is adjustable in height relative to the X-ray source ( ), and the two are also laterally and synchronously adjustable via respective adjustment elements ( ). The collimator ( ) has a conically-expanding round slot ( ), which simulates a predetermined angle (&THgr; ) of a scatter-beam path.

Apparatus for determining the crystalline and polycrystalline materials of an item

A method for determining the material of a detected item in objects, especially explosives in luggage, using X-ray diffraction. In this method, wherein scatter radiation deflected at the crystal-lattice structure of the material is measured and compared to characteristic energy spectra or diffraction spectra of various explosives, the absorption by the material influences the X-ray diffraction spectrum, so that information is missing, and inaccurate conclusions may be drawn regarding the material. To improve this method, the primary beam of an X-ray source is used for measuring the absorption. The beam passes through the material, and, from the absorption, an average atomic number of the material is determined, and this additional information is used for the identification of material known by comparing the recorded spectra with diffraction spectra. For this purpose, a collimation/detector arrangement preferably has only one collimator ( ) and one detector ( ), with the collimator ( ) having a conically-expanding circular slot ( ), which defines a predetermined diffraction angle, and a central blind bore ( ) opening toward the x-ray source. First and second detectors ( ) are disposed in the bore to detect lower and higher x-ray energy, respectively.

Method and apparatus for determining a material of a detected item

A collimator for an X-ray testing machine and a method for adjusting the collimator with the aid of a detection system disposed in the collimator that includes at least two spatially separate detection devices, disposed and spacing one behind the other.

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Neustadt, Germany

Frank Cordes