Boss Physical Sciences LLC

Other

Bossdev, Inc.

Wayne B Norris

Brad Paden

Kenneth N Ricci

An adaptive projectile for small caliber firearms includes preformed submunition elements deployed in a radiating pattern by a spreader upon impact with a soft target, such as the body of an assailant. But when initial impact is with an intermediate hard obstacle, a pressure-sensitive link disables the spreader so that the submunition elements will not deploy but instead become locked into a unitary, monolithic body capable of penetrating the hard obstacle. The nose of the projectile is a hollow ballistic penetrator that restrains the submunition elements upon impact with a hard object. The submunition elements rest on a base. For protection inside the gun barrel and during flight, the adaptive projectile is partially wrapped by a thin jacket that fractures and/or peals away upon impact with a soft target.

Projectile having adaptive expansion characteristics

Apparatus and methods for imaging sources of gamma rays with a large area, comparatively low-cost Compton telescope (). The Compton telescope () uses multiple layers () of low-cost organic solid plastic or liquid scintillator, arranged in large arrays of identical scintillator pixels (). Photodiodes, avalanche photodiodes (), or solid-state photomultipliers are used to read out the fluorescent pulses from scintillator pixels (). Multiple scintillator pixels () are multiplexed into a few fast digitizers () and a few fast FPGA programmable digital microprocessors (). Selection rule methods are presented for processing multiple near-simultaneous gamma ray collisions within the Compton telescope () to identify trackable events that yield gamma ray image data of interest. A calibration method achieves improved energy resolution along with (x,y) position information in pixels () made of organic scintillator materials with multiple photodetectors (). Synchronization trigger signals are used from a pulsed neutron source () to maximize the signal-to-background ratio for prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) of objects at greater than 2 meters range, where such trigger signals are based on the estimated range to PGNAA sources and neutron time-of-flight.

Organic-scintillator compton gamma ray telescope

Method and apparatus for minimizing signal noise () in thermal, epithermal, and cold neutron fluorescence processes using neutron flux modulation and gamma ray detector pulse gating synchronized to neutron time of flight (NTOF). The apparatus includes a source () of thermal, epithermal, and/or cold neutrons, optionally switched between flux or power settings in various embodiments, a gamma ray detector () or detection system capable of either being turned ON and OFF, in some embodiments, or else being told to regard or disregard gamma ray signals () in other embodiments, a control mechanism (), and either a target range detector () or a prior measurement of target range, in embodiments where the range remains fixed. The gamma ray detector () is synchronized to the NTOF by the control mechanism () so that it remains switched OFF during the pulse period of the neutron source () and for the subsequent NTOF so that any nuisance signals () arriving at the detector () during these times are not detected or considered.

Neutron fluorescence with synchronized gamma detector

Apparatus and methods for operating a neutron gamma fluorescence based system by modulating the interrogating neutron flux (&#x3c6;) to allow for optimized signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or to improve other detection parameter such as integration time. The apparatus includes one or more sensing systems to detect the range from the neutron source to an Area Under Investigation (AUI) or other parameters, one or more sensing systems to detect the return signal or signals caused by the interrogating neutrons, and a controller to receive inputs from the sensing systems, process them, and generate neutron beam modulation commands capable of being used by an agile neutron source to adjust its flux rate (&#x3c6;) and/or other characteristics. Examples of possible embodiments include: radar, video, acoustic, or hybrid sensors to determine range; gamma ray, X-ray, electromagnetic, neutron, proton, acoustic, or hybrid sensors to determine return flux, and analog, digital, optoelectronic, or hybrid neutron beam controllers.

Background signal reduction in neutron fluorescence applications using agile neutron beam flux

Apparatus and methods for locating certain substances of interest within remote targets. The detection apparatus includes a neutron beam generator, a pixilated gamma ray detector, data collection modules and sensors, and a detection processing module. If the remote target contains substances of interest, gamma rays radiate isotropically from the remote target when it is bombarded by the neutrons. A portion of these gamma rays are intercepted and detected by a plurality of discrete gamma sensing elements contained in the gamma ray detector, which is spaced apart from the neutron source. The detection processing module determines whether the remote target contains explosive substances and further locates the target by processing the collected data from the gamma ray detector, status information collected from the neutron source, and the position sensor(s) associated with the neutron shield.

Remote detection of explosive substances

Apparatus and methods for effectively detecting and locating explosive substances within remote targets, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The detection apparatus includes a neutron beam generator, a gamma ray detector, data collection modules and sensors, and a detection processing module. The neutron beam generator includes a fast neutron source, a neutron moderator to slow some or all of the fast neutrons to thermal energies, a partially enclosing neutron shield, and a rotatable neutron shield surrounding the generated neutrons. The neutron shield has an aperture to form a neutron beam directed at a remote target. If the remote target contains explosive substances, gamma rays radiate isotropically from the remote target when it is bombarded by the neutrons. A portion of these gamma rays are intercepted and detected by the gamma ray detector, which is spaced apart from the neutron source. The detection processing module determines whether the remote target contains explosive substances and further locates the target by processing the collected data from the gamma ray detector, status information collected from the neutron source, and the position sensor(s) associated with the neutron shield.

Apparatus and method for detecting and locating hidden explosive substances. The detection apparatus includes a thermal neutron beam generator, a gamma ray detector, data collection module and sensors, and a detection processing module. The thermal neutron beam generator includes a fast neutron source, a neutron moderator to slow the fast neutrons to thermal neutrons, and a rotatable neutron shield enclosing the generated thermal neutrons. The rotatable neutron shield has an aperture through which a thermal neutron beam is projected at a remote target. Gamma rays radiating from hidden explosives in the remote target are detected by the gamma ray detector, while the associated detection processing module spatially locates the target based at least in part on the position of the aperture in the rotatable neutron shield.

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Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America

Wayne B Norris