Abstract: System and method for XRD-based false alarm resolution in computed tomography (“CT”) threat detection systems. Following a scan of an object with a megavoltage CT-based threat detection system, a suspicious area in the object is identified. The three dimensional position of the suspicious area is used to determine a ray path for the XRD-based threat detection system that provides minimal X-ray attenuation. The object is then positioned for XRD scanning of the suspicious area along this determined ray path. The XRD-based threat detection system is configured to detect high density metals (“HDMs) as well as shielded Special Nuclear Materials (“SNMs”) based on cubic or non-cubic diffraction profiles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for combining information obtained from CT and Coherent Scatter Computed Tomography to better determine whether there are dangerous materials in the baggage or not. Hence, the attenuation coefficient and the diffraction pattern of the item of baggage are used to determine whether the baggage should be cleared.

Abstract: Systems for improving a spatial resolution of an image are described. One of the systems includes an X-ray source configured to generate X-rays, a transmission detector configured to detect the X-rays to output a plurality of electrical signals, and a plate configured to improve the spatial resolution upon receiving the X-rays. The plate is configured to output a fan-beam upon receiving the X-rays.

Abstract: Methods, a processor, and a system for improving an accuracy of identification of a substance are described. One of the methods includes determining whether a relative molecular interference function of the substance includes at least one peak.

Abstract: A method for determining a type of a substance is described. The method includes determining a packing fraction of the substance from a molecular interference function.

Abstract: An x-ray computer tomograph, having an x-ray source that generates a fan beam of x radiation and having a two-dimensional energy-resolving detector array, both of which are situated on opposite sides of a gantry so that the x-ray radiation passes completely through a test region. A row of detector elements is situated in the plane of the fan beam and is adjoined in at least one direction perpendicular to the fan beam by several additional rows of detector elements. During the measurement, no secondary collimator is positioned between the test region and the detector array. The following equation applies for the width (B) of the detector elements: B=ZP*arc sin(qmax*?), where qmax is a pulse transmission, ? is a wavelength of the x radiation, and ZP is the distance of the measurement point from the detector.

Abstract: System and method for XRD-based threat detection. An object is scanned with a first threat detection system. One or more alarm objects are identified. Data about the one or more alarm objects is passed from the first threat detection system to a second threat detection system and is used to move and/or to rotate the object in a predetermined ray path that decreases attenuation of scattered x-ray radiation. Also disclosed is a secondary collimator for XRD-based false alarm resolution in computed tomography {“CT”) threat detection systems. The secondary collimator comprises one or more slit apertures configured to provide a multi-angle capability that extends a range of momenta for which XRD intensities are measured for a predetermined range of photon intensities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray source for the generation of fluorescent X-rays. The X-ray source is realized by an electron source for the emission of electrons and a target which emits X-rays in response to the incidence of the electrons, the target comprising a ring-shaped primary target for the emission of primary X-rays in response to the incidence of the electrons and a secondary target for the emission of fluorescent X-rays in response to the incidence of the primary X-rays. To obtain an enhanced radiance, it is proposed that the primary target comprises a liquid metal channel arranged in a radial direction relative to a central axis, and that a liquid metal circulates in the liquid metal channel during operation of the X-ray source in the radial direction from an inner side to an outer side of the ring-shaped primary target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing a degradation effect on a signal are described. One of the methods includes pre-processing data based on a scan of a reference object and a scan of a substance. The reference object includes a material having an atomic number ranging from and including forty to sixty.

Abstract: A scanner includes a transmission detector, an x-ray source positioned to emit a beam of x-rays toward the transmission detector, and a scatter detector positioned to receive x-rays scattered from the beam of x-rays by an object. The scanner includes a computer programmed to receive data from the transmission detector and from the scatter detector, and determine a material composition of the object based on the data received from the transmission and scatter detectors.

Abstract: A method, a processor, and a system for identifying a substance are described. The method includes identifying a substance based on a plurality of integrated intensities of a plurality of X-ray diffraction profiles.

Abstract: A system, a processor, and a method for tracking a focus of a beam are described. The method includes determining a plurality of intensities corresponding to a plurality of voltages, and applying a first voltage of the plurality of voltages corresponding to a maximum intensity of the plurality of intensities during a scan.

Abstract: A system and methods for characterizing an unknown substance is described. One of the methods include determining an effective atomic number of the unknown substance as a first function of a first gradient of a first line.

Abstract: In CSCT, by using a fan-shaped primary beam, combined with a 2D detector, single-slice transmission tomography and scatter tomography can be measured simultaneously. In such a System blurred scatter functions are measured unless a monochromatic source of radiation is used. According to the present invention, an energy resolving 1D or 2D detector System is proposed, which, in combination with a tomographic reconstruction, provides a good spectral resolution, even with a polychromatic primary beam. Furthermore, according to an aspect of the present invention, only one energy resolving detector-line is required to achieve the fall spectrum. Advantageous applications of the system and method according to the present invention are in medical imaging and material analysis, such as baggage inspection.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of generating metabolic images of an investigation region (3) of a body (1) by irradiating an X-ray fluorescence marker in that region and detecting the resulting X-ray fluorescence with a fluorescence detector (30). A fan beam (12) is used as a source of primary X-radiation, thus allowing the scanning of a whole body slice (3) in one step. The fluorescence image may be directly measured, e.g. by mapping voxels (104) of the investigation region onto pixels (134) of the detector (130) with the help of a pinhole collimator (132), or it may be reconstructed by procedures of computed tomography. Moreover, a morphological image may be generated by simultaneously recording X-ray transmission through the body (1).

Abstract: A method for iteratively identifying a substance is described. The method includes determining whether a function of a difference between an updated diffraction profile and an original diffraction profile of the substance exceeds a parameter.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for combining information obtained from CT and Coherent Scatter Computed Tomography to better determine whether there are dangerous materials in the baggage or not. Hence, the attenuation coefficient and the diffraction pattern of the item of baggage are used to determine whether the baggage should be cleared.

Abstract: A method for naming a substance is described. The method includes using a crystallinity of the substance to name the substance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anode module 1 for a liquid-metal anode X-ray source which has an electron entry window 3 in the region of focus 2. It is provided according to the invention that an X-ray beam exit window 4 lies opposite the electron entry window 3 of the anode module 1 and the exit angle ? of the X-ray beams 7 between an electron beam 6 entering through the electron entry window 3 along the direction of incidence 5 and the X-ray beams 7 exiting through the X-ray beam exit window 4 is between 5° and 50°, in particular 15°. The invention also relates to an X-radiator with an electron source for the emission of electrons and a liquid-metal anode emitting X-ray beams 7 when the electrons strike, which has an anode module 1 with the above-named features.

Abstract: A method for naming a substance is described. The method includes using a crystallinity of the substance to name the substance.