The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Aug. 13, 1991

Filed:

May. 08, 1989
Applicant:
Inventors:

Kamil V Ettinger, Aberdeen, GB;

Joseph H Brondo, Jr, East Hampton, NY (US);

Assignee:

Scientific Innovations, Inc., Wainscott, NY (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N / ; G01N / ; G01N / ; G01N / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
378 88 ; 378 45 ; 378 53 ; 378 82 ; 378 86 ; 378 57 ; 378 49 ;
Abstract

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.


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