Abstract: A dual energy inspection system that generates X-rays with an electron beam scanned over targets. A switchable voltage source that can be change its voltage output may cause X-rays to be generated at different energies. This X-ray generation subsystem is controlled by a sequencer that provides beam steering and shaping control inputs that may be dependent on the voltage provided by the voltage source. In another aspect, the dual energy inspection system may use multiple types of detectors, each sensitive to X-rays of a different energy. A relatively small number of detectors sensitive to one energy level is provided. Nonetheless, dual energy measurements may be made on objects within an item under inspection by identifying points that, for each object of interest, provide a low interference path to one of those detectors. Measurements made with radiation emanating from those points are used for dual energy analysis of those objects.

Abstract: An object within a region is exposed to a first beam of penetrating radiation. The first beam of penetrating radiation is sensed on a side opposite the region from a source of the first beam. An attenuation of the first beam caused by passing the first beam through the object is determined, the attenuation is compared to a threshold attenuation. If the attenuation exceeds the threshold attenuation, a parameter of a second of beam of penetrating radiation is adjusted based on the determined attenuation.

Abstract: Concentrating particles in a turbulent gas flow may include receiving, in a receptacle, a turbulent gas flow that includes particles. The concentration of particles in a gas flow exiting the receptacle at a first port is increased as compared with a concentration of the particles in the gas flow received by the receptacle. The increased concentration of particles is accomplished by removing a portion of the gas flow by using a second port, and fluidly communicating the gas flow through a tube in the receptacle. The tube has a smaller diameter at the end of the tube at which the gas flow exits the tube than diameter at the end of the tube at which the gas flow is received.

Abstract: A system and method for forming volumetric images of an imaged object based on multiple radiation measurements of the object taken from different angles. A first volumetric image of the object may be calculated using a direct reconstruction method from a plurality of radiation measurements of the object. At least one iteration of an iterative reconstruction method may be performed to compute a second volumetric image of the object. The iterative reconstruction method may be initialized with the first volumetric image of the object.

Abstract: A source of pulsed radiation is coupled to a positionable filter. The positionable filter includes an element that produces an indication of a position of the filter. The source is configured to receive the indication of the position of the filter, and to regulate emission of a pulse of radiation based on the indication. A device includes an area including a material that alters a parameter of a beam of radiation that interacts with the material. The device is configured to move relative to a source of pulsed radiation. An element provides a signal to the source of pulsed radiation that indicates a position of the area relative to the source. The signal causes the source to trigger emission of a pulse at a time such that the emitted pulse is incident upon a portion of the area.

Abstract: In one aspect, an x-ray scanning device is provided. The x-ray scanning device comprises a target adapted to convert electron-beam (e-beam) energy into x-ray energy, a detector array positioned to detect at least some x-rays emitted from the target, and a conveyer mechanism adapted to convey items to be inspected through an inspection region formed by the target and the detector array, wherein the target and the detector array are rotated out of alignment with each other such that x-rays emitted from the target impinge on diametrically positioned detectors of the detector array without passing through near-side detectors of the detector array.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments provide a method, system, and device for identifying chemical species in a sample. According to one embodiment, the method, system, and device may include introducing a sample gas into a differential ion mobility device, ionizing at least a portion of the sample gas to generate at least one ion species, filtering the at least one ion species between a pair of filter electrodes, generating a detection signal in response to the at least one ion species depositing a charge on a collector electrode, and detecting a spectral peak associated with the at least one ion species.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments provide a method, system, and device for identifying chemical species in a sample. According to one embodiment, the method, system, and device may include introducing a sample gas into a differential ion mobility device, ionizing at least a portion of the sample gas to generate at least one ion species, filtering the at least one ion species between a pair of filter electrodes, generating a detection signal in response to the at least one ion species depositing a charge on a collector electrode, and detecting a spectral peak associated with the at least one ion species.

Abstract: Fissionable materials are distinguished from other high-effective atomic number materials by producing dual-energy x-ray radiation sufficient to cause fission in fissionable materials and directing the dual-energy x-ray radiation sufficient to cause fission in fissionable materials towards a physical region. X-ray radiation and a product of fission from the physical region are sensed. An absorption of the dual-energy x-ray radiation by the physical region is determined based on the sensed x-ray radiation, and whether the physical region includes fissionable material is determined based on the presence of a product of fission.

Abstract: A surveillance system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the surveillance system may include at least one controller adapted to control operation of first and second screening apparatus and to produce image data and screening data, to relate the image data to the screening data, and to produce relational information data from the related image data and screening data. In some embodiments, the system may include a first screening apparatus adapted to screen a subject in a subject position, a second screening apparatus adapted to screen the subject in the subject position, and a controller adapted to produce first and second screening data from the first and second screening apparatus, respectively, relate the first and second screening data, and to produce relational information data from the related first and second screening data.

Abstract: Effective atomic numbers associated with pixels in a region are received. An effective atomic number is associated with each pixel in the region. X-ray data for the region is received, and an item within the region is identified from the x-ray data. Some of the pixels in the region are correlated with the item such that the item is associated with an effective atomic number. An image of the region is rendered. The pixels of the item have a display style based on the effective atomic number of the item.

Abstract: In one aspect, an x-ray scanning device is provided. The x-ray scanning device comprises a target adapted to convert electron-beam (e-beam) energy into x-ray energy, a detector array positioned to detect at least some x-rays emitted from the target, and a conveyer mechanism adapted to convey items to be inspected through an inspection region formed by the target and the detector array, wherein the target and the detector array are rotated out of alignment with each other such that x-rays emitted from the target impinge on diametrically positioned detectors of the detector array without passing through near-side detectors of the detector array.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments provide a method, system, and device for identifying chemical species in a sample. According to one embodiment, the method, system, and device may include introducing a sample gas into a differential ion mobility device, ionizing at least a portion of the sample gas to generate at least one ion species, filtering the at least one ion species between a pair of filter electrodes, generating a detection signal in response to the at least one ion species depositing a charge on a collector electrode, and detecting a spectral peak associated with the at least one ion species.

Abstract: Concentrating particles in a turbulent gas flow may include receiving, in a receptacle, a turbulent gas flow that includes particles. The concentration of particles in a gas flow exiting the receptacle at a first port is increased as compared with a concentration of the particles in the gas flow received by the receptacle. The increased concentration of particles is accomplished by removing a portion of the gas flow by using a second port, and fluidly communicating the gas flow through a tube in the receptacle. The tube has a smaller diameter at the end of the tube at which the gas flow exits the tube than diameter at the end of the tube at which the gas flow is received.

Abstract: Fissionable materials are distinguished from other high-effective atomic number materials by producing dual-energy x-ray radiation sufficient to cause fission in fissionable materials and directing the dual-energy x-ray radiation sufficient to cause fission in fissionable materials towards a physical region. X-ray radiation and a product of fission from the physical region are sensed. An absorption of the dual-energy x-ray radiation by the physical region is determined based on the sensed x-ray radiation, and whether the physical region includes fissionable material is determined based on the presence of a product of fission.

Abstract: A property of a treatment beam is controlled during a scanning period. A portion of a region is exposed to an imaging x-ray beam during a scanning period, the imaging x-ray beam being generated by an electron-beam scanner. X-ray radiation from the region is detected, the x-ray radiation representing an attenuation of the imaging x-ray beam caused by the portion of the region. A first image of the portion of the region is generated based on the detected x-ray radiation. A characteristic of the portion of the region is determined from the generated first image. An input derived from the characteristic is generated, the input configured to cause a source of a treatment beam to modify a property of the treatment beam. The source of the treatment beam modifies a property of the treatment beam during the scanning period by providing the input to the source of the treatment beam.