Scientific Innovations, Inc.

Joseph H Brondo, Jr

Kamil V Ettinger

An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of an element of interest within an object. The object is positioned where a beam of gamma rays of the required energy are directed to be scattered by the element of interest. The gamma rays are provided by excited atoms of the element of interest. The excited atoms result from the reaction of hydrogen or heavier ions and a suitable target. The excited atoms deexcite, releasing gamma rays which are scattered by the element of interest within the object. The scattered gamma rays are detected, output signals are produced, processed and analyzed to determine the amount of the element of interest within the object. A preferred embodiment relates to the detection of nitrogen-based explosives in luggage.

Nuclear resonances in activation analysis, and particularly, its

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting the presence of an element of interest within an object. The object is positioned where a beam of gamma rays of the required energy are directed to be scattered by the element of interest. The gamma rays are provided by excited atoms of the element of interest. The excited atoms result from the reaction of hydrogen or heavier ions and a suitable target. The excited atoms deexcite, releasing gamma rays which are scattered by the element of interest within the object. The scattered gamma rays are detected, output signals are produced, processed and analyzed to determine the amount of the element of interest within the object. A preferred embodiment relates to the detection of nitrogen-based explosives in luggage.

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting the presence of an element of interest within an object. The object is positioned where a beam gamma rays of the required energy are directed to be scattered by the element of interest. The gamma rays are provided by excited atoms of the element of interest. The excited atoms result from the reaction of hydrogen or heavier ions and a suitable target. The excited atoms deexcite releasing gamma rays which are scattered by the element of interest within the object. The scattered gamma rays are detected, output signals are produced, processed and analyzed to determine the amount of the element of interest within the object. A preferred embodiment relates to the detection of nitrogen-based explosives in luggage.

Gamma-gamma resonance in activation analysis, and particularly, its

An apparatus and method for scanning an object for nitrogen for detecting the presence of explosives in luggage, parcels and the like. The object is placed in a cavity in which a thermal neutron flux is produced by introducing fast neutrons in the presence of a nuclear moderating material. A reaction between the thermal neutrons and the nitrogen contained in the object causes gamma rays to be emitted which are detected and transmitted to processing electronics to determine the concentration and position of nitrogen in the object. Thermal neutrons sensors are located within the cavity to monitor the amount of thermal neutrons and adjust the thermal neutron flux within the cavity in order to maintain an optimal thermal neutron flux density within the cavity. The adjustment may be effectuated by adjusting the accelerating potential of a neutron accelerator or by adjusting the position of a neutron moderator for use with an isotopic neutron source.

Growing community of inventors

East Hampton, NY, United States of America

Joseph H Brondo, Jr