Abstract: Non-intrusive inspection systems, including apparatuses and methods, for non-intrusively inspecting cargo containers employed, generally, in the cargo transportation industry. The non intrusive inspection systems utilize one or more, single or multi-energy electron accelerators arranged in a plurality of different arrangements and orientations to provide two and, essentially, three dimensional views of the contents of (i.e., objects within) a cargo container and to enable discrimination and identification of materials present within the contents thereof.

Abstract: A RF linear electron accelerator system for generating a beam of accelerated electrons bunched in pulses having different energy spectra from pulse to pulse. The system is operable to generate a beam of high energy X-rays from such beam of accelerated electrons, using a conversion target, with pulses of the X-ray beam having energy spectra which are different from X-ray pulse to X-ray pulse. Preferably, the pulses of the electron beam have energy spectra which alternate from pulse to pulse and, correspondingly, the pulses of the X-ray beam have energy spectra which alternate from pulse to pulse. Also preferably, the current of electrons injected into the system's accelerating section and the frequency of the pulse RF power supplied to the accelerating section are changed in a synchronized manner to generate the electron beam. The system is employable in an inspection system for discriminating materials present in containers by atomic numbers.

Abstract: A cargo inspection apparatus and process includes scanning containers with x-rays along two different planes. Outputs from x-ray sensors along the two different planes are collected for use in establishing the presence of contraband within the container. Using the sensor output data, images of the container are provided and suspicious areas and background areas are identified on the images. By using representative suspicious area and background area geometry and compensating in the suspicious area for the effective estimated background thereat, the average atomic number and density of the suspicious contraband is established. The average atomic number and density is then compared with known atomic numbers and densities of contraband materials and an output indicative of whether the suspicious area falls within the parameters of actual contraband material is provided.