Cranfield University

The Nottingham Trent University

Halo X Ray Technologies Limited

Keith Rogers

Paul Evans

A sample inspection system () includes an X-ray emitter, a collimator () and a first energy resolving detector () arranged along a symmetry axis (). The X-ray emitter generates at least one focused conical shell beam () of X-ray radiation comprised of X-ray photons that propagate through a focal point on the symmetry axis downstream of the X-ray emitter. The collimator () has one or more channels, each channel being adapted to receive diffracted or scattered radiation propagating either along the symmetry axis, or parallel with the symmetry axis, or both along and parallel with the symmetry axis (). Upon incidence of the conical shell beam () onto a sample () the first energy resolving detector () detects radiation diffracted or scattered by the sample () via the collimator ().

X-ray system

A sample inspection apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a beam former for producing a plurality of coaxial and substantially conical shells of radiation, a detection surface and a set of conical shell slot collimators. Each conical shell has a different opening angle. The detection surface is arranged to receive diffracted radiation after incidence of one or more of the conical shells upon the sample to be inspected. The set of conical shell slot collimators is provided at or close to the detection surface which each stare at different annular regions of different corresponding conical shells.

Sample inspection apparatus employing a diffraction detector

There is presented an apparatus for identifying a sample. Such an apparatus may be used to detect unwanted items as part of a security screening system. The apparatus includes a platform for receiving the sample, at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter, a plurality of detectors and a calculator. The electromagnetic radiation emitter is adapted to provide a plurality of conical shells of radiation. Each conical shell has a characteristic propagation axis associated with it. The detectors are arranged to detect radiation diffracted by the sample upon incidence of one or more conical shells of radiation. Each detector is located on the characteristic propagation axis associated with a corresponding conical shell. The calculator is adapted to calculate a parameter of the sample based on the detected diffracted radiation. The parameter includes a lattice spacing of the sample.

Sample inspection system

A sample inspection apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a beam former for producing a substantially conical shell of the radiation with the conical shell being incident on a sample to be inspected, a detection surface arranged to receive diffracted radiation after incidence of the conical shell beam upon the sample to be inspected, and an unfocused collimator provided at or close to the detection surface and having a grid structure formed of cells which each stare at different portions of the conical shell.

A sample inspection apparatus irradiates a sample with a conical shell of X-ray or similar radiation generating a plurality of Debye rings originating from a circular path on the sample. The apparatus is provided with two detectors. A first detector receives diffracted radiation and a second detector receives radiation which is transmitted through a coded aperture provided at a detection surface of the first detector.

A sample () is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation such as X-Rays and diffraction data is sampled at inner and outer caustic rims formed at a sensor surface () and defined by a continuum of Debye cones () formed by diffraction of the incident radiation. Intensities of the inner and outer rims while translating and rotating the sample are converted using a tomographic technique into X-ray diffraction images and material discrimination is also possible.

X-ray diffraction imaging system using debye ring envelopes

A radiation detecting apparatus includes a collimator and a detector, the collimator having a material for blocking radiation and a region that is a sector of an annulus or multiple regions in a configuration in the shape of a sector of an annulus for allowing transmission of the radiation. The detector is spaced a distance from the collimator such that when a radiation source and sample crystal material are positioned at suitable positions, the radiation is collimated by the collimator and contacts the sample a predetermined distance from the detector at multiple of locations corresponding to the region or regions of the collimator. The Bragg diffracted radiation from the crystal material at two or more and preferably all of the locations overlap at the detector.

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Swindon, United Kingdom

Keith Rogers