Abstract: A multi-view X-ray inspection portal includes: a portal structure permitting travel of a target object in a travel direction there through. First, second, and third X-ray source modules are mounted at the portal structure with offsets between them, parallel to the travel direction. The X-ray sources output first, second, and third X-ray beams, respectively, to irradiate the target. A set of scatter detectors receives X-rays that are scattered from the target object. The third X-ray source module is disposed between the first and second X-ray source modules parallel to the travel direction. The first and second X-ray beams are simultaneously active and interleaved temporally with the third X-ray beam. In the inspection portal and a corresponding method, the inspection portal may be very compact, while maintaining throughput speed and resolution.

Abstract: An x-ray detection structure includes a plurality of scintillator volumes in a spatially periodic arrangement, the plurality of scintillator volumes spaced from each other and forming a scan axis at which x-rays from a scanning beam of x-rays transmitted through a target can be received. The scintillator volumes produce scintillation photons responsive to receiving the x-rays. The structure also includes a wavelength-shifting fiber (WSF) ribbon optically coupled to the plurality of scintillator volumes along the scan axis. The WSF ribbon receives scintillation photons from the plurality of scintillator volumes as the scanning beam of x-rays scans and causes at least a subset of scintillator volumes to produce the scintillation photons. A multi-layer version of the structure, corresponding x-ray detection systems, and corresponding methods of manufacturing can be used to produce higher-resolution x-ray images in a compact detector with ease of manufacturability.

Abstract: An x-ray scanning module includes an x-ray source having an electronic gate configured to have an ON state wherein the electronic gate enables the x-ray source to provide source x-rays, and to have an OFF state wherein the electronic gate disables the x-ray source from providing the source x-rays. The x-ray source is configured to receive a control signal that sets the electronic gate to the ON state and the OFF state selectively. The module further includes a rotatably mounted chopper wheel configured, when the electronic gate is in the ON state, to receive the source x-rays from the x-ray source and to provide a scanning beam output, wherein rotation of the chopper wheel causes scanning of the scanning beam output. Corresponding systems and methods can have benefits including reducing interference in arrangements that are multi-view or include a radiation portal monitor.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus includes a holdable housing; an x-ray source mounted within the housing and configured to output a fan beam of x-rays; and a hoop chopper wheel rotatably mounted within the housing and comprising an x-ray attenuating material configured to block x-rays of the fan beam. The hoop chopper wheel defines a set of beam apertures of which each aperture is configured to pass therethrough a corresponding angular portion of x-rays from the fan beam, so that rotation of the hoop chopper wheel causes scanning of the corresponding angular portion of x-rays. The x-ray source may be a transmission-type x-ray tube configured to output the fan beam centered in an x-ray extraction direction forming an angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the x-ray tube.

Abstract: A system for inspecting an object includes a turntable on which the object may be placed. The turntable rotates the object about a first rotation axis. The system also includes an X-ray source to generate an X-ray beam in a plane to intersect with the object. The system also includes an X-ray detector that can detect at least a portion of the X-ray beam transmitted through the object during rotation and generate image data based on the detected X-ray beam. Also included is a controller that can: generate an image of the object based on the image data; determine, based on a suspect item identified in the image of the object, a second rotation axis at an angle from the first axis; cause a tilt of the turntable so that it is perpendicular to the second axis; and initiate a subsequent rotation of the object about the second axis.

Abstract: An x-ray chopper wheel assembly includes a disk chopper wheel and a source-side scatter plate that has a solid cross-sectional area that absorbs x-ray radiation and is substantially smaller than a solid cross-sectional area of the disk chopper wheel. The assembly also includes a support structure that secures the source-side scatter plate substantially parallel to the disk chopper wheel, with a source-side gap between the scatter plate and the disk chopper wheel being a distance that substantially prevents x-ray leakage. An additional, output-side scatter plate may also be provided to reduce x-ray leakage further. Embodiments enable safe operation while significantly reducing weight, which is advantageous for a variety of disk-chopper-wheel-based x-ray scanning systems, especially hand-held x-ray scanners.

Abstract: An x-ray chopper wheel assembly includes a disk chopper wheel and a source-side scatter plate that has a solid cross-sectional area that absorbs x-ray radiation and is substantially smaller than a solid cross-sectional area of the disk chopper wheel. The assembly also includes a support structure that secures the source-side scatter plate substantially parallel to the disk chopper wheel, with a source-side gap between the scatter plate and the disk chopper wheel being a distance that substantially prevents x-ray leakage. An additional, output-side scatter plate may also be provided to reduce x-ray leakage further. Embodiments enable safe operation while significantly reducing weight, which is advantageous for a variety of disk-chopper-wheel-based x-ray scanning systems, especially hand-held x-ray scanners.

Abstract: A method, and corresponding system, provides enhanced security threat detection. The method includes: irradiating a target from a stationary x-ray source having end-point energy of at least 88 keV; enabling target motion with respect to the stationary x-ray source; detecting resulting x-rays received from the target; generating an image of an interior of the target based on the resulting x-rays; performing analysis of the image for an indication of a weapon; producing signals representing an energy spectrum of the resulting x-rays; analyzing the signals for characteristic x-ray fluorescence that can be emitted from lead potentially present in the target; providing an indication, based on the signals, of a probability of lead ammunition being present; and outputting an indication of likelihood of a security threat based on the analysis of the image for the weapon indication and the probability of lead ammunition.

Abstract: An apparatus for steerable x-ray inspection of a sample includes an outer housing that can be inserted into an interior of the sample via a flexible insertion member; an x-ray source within the outer housing that can output source x-rays into the sample; an x-ray detector within the housing and capable of detecting fluorescence x-rays emitted from the sample upon excitation by the source x-rays; and a steering device coupled to an end of the insertion member and configured to adjust, selectively, a position of the flexible insertion member for steering the outer housing within the sample.

Abstract: A method, and corresponding system, provides enhanced security threat detection. The method includes: irradiating a target from a stationary x-ray source having end-point energy of at least 88 keV; enabling target motion with respect to the stationary x-ray source; detecting resulting x-rays received from the target; generating an image of an interior of the target based on the resulting x-rays; performing analysis of the image for an indication of a weapon; producing signals representing an energy spectrum of the resulting x-rays; analyzing the signals for characteristic x-ray fluorescence that can be emitted from lead potentially present in the target; providing an indication, based on the signals, of a probability of lead ammunition being present; and outputting an indication of likelihood of a security threat based on the analysis of the image for the weapon indication and the probability of lead ammunition.

Abstract: An x-ray beam generator includes an x-ray source and a collimation ring to generate a sweeping x-ray beam. The x-ray source emits a beam of x-ray radiation through an opening in an enclosure. The collimation ring defines one or more apertures, and encompasses the enclosure at the opening and has an outer diameter less than 150% of an outer diameter of the enclosure at the opening. A support bearing is coupled to the collimation ring and enables the collimation ring to rotate about the x-ray source. A drive system rotates the collimation ring about the x-ray source during activation of the x-ray source to form the sweeping x-ray beam via the one or more apertures.

Abstract: An x-ray inspection system includes a vehicle, a mobile conveyance, and first and second x-ray scanning modules. The first module is transportable directly or indirectly, via a transport of the vehicle, to an inspection site, and it can irradiate a near side of an object to be inspected at the site with a first x-ray scanning beam. The second scanning module is transportable to the inspection site via a combination of the mobile conveyance and the vehicle, it the second module is movable and positioned at the inspection site, via the mobile conveyance, to irradiate a far side of the object with a second x-ray scanning beam. The vehicle and the mobile conveyance are configured to be mechanically coupled together during the transport and to be mechanically decoupled from each other at the inspection site. The system enables dual-sided x-ray backscatter inspection using a mobile platform.

Abstract: A system for inspecting an object includes a turntable on which the object may be placed. The turntable rotates the object about a first rotation axis. The system also includes an X-ray source to generate an X-ray beam in a plane to intersect with the object. The system also includes an X-ray detector that can detect at least a portion of the X-ray beam transmitted through the object during rotation and generate image data based on the detected X-ray beam. Also included is a controller that can: generate an image of the object based on the image data; determine, based on a suspect item identified in the image of the object, a second rotation axis at an angle from the first axis; cause a tilt of the turntable so that it is perpendicular to the second axis; and initiate a subsequent rotation of the object about the second axis.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus includes a holdable housing; an x-ray source mounted within the housing and configured to output a fan beam of x-rays; and a hoop chopper wheel rotatably mounted within the housing and comprising an x-ray attenuating material configured to block x-rays of the fan beam. The hoop chopper wheel defines a set of beam apertures of which each aperture is configured to pass therethrough a corresponding angular portion of x-rays from the fan beam, so that rotation of the hoop chopper wheel causes scanning of the corresponding angular portion of x-rays. The x-ray source may be a transmission-type x-ray tube configured to output the fan beam centered in an x-ray extraction direction forming an angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the x-ray tube.

Abstract: A system for detecting a scanning beam of x-rays includes one or more scintillator volumes oriented along an x-ray scan axis. The scintillator volume(s) receive x-rays transmitted through a target and produce scintillation photons responsively. Two or more ribbons of wavelength-shifting fibers (WSFs) are optically coupled to the scintillator volume(s) along the axis via a spatial periodic adjacency of the ribbons to the axis. The ribbons receive scintillation photons from the scintillator volume(s) via the spatial periodic adjacency as the x-ray beam scans over the scan axis. At least one respective photodetector coupled to an end of each respective ribbon detects the scintillation photons carried by the respective ribbon produces a respective signal. A signal combiner selectively combines signals from one or more ribbons, for beam positions along the scan axis, to create a combined signal representing a scan of the target. The scan can have enhanced spatial resolution.

Abstract: Elemental composition of a pipe is determined by a fluorescence x-ray detector device. An outer housing of the device is inserted into the pipe via a flexible insertion member. A radioactive x-ray source is encompassed by a shield within the housing. A shutter selectively opens to enable radiation from the x-ray source to exit the shield and illuminate an inner wall of the pipe. An x-ray detector within the housing detects fluorescence x-rays emitted from the pipe upon illumination by the x-ray source. A controller then determines the presence of one or more elemental materials contained within the pipe based on the fluorescence x-rays.

Abstract: A handheld or portable x-ray imaging system includes a housing containing an x-ray source for generating a sweeping beam, and an external detector panel mounted onto a positioning arm to allow an operator to position the external detector panel relative to the housing. The detector panel may have a width of between 1 inch and 18 inches. Embodiments allow for portable x-ray scanning in locations that can otherwise be difficult or impossible to reach with existing handheld detectors.

Abstract: An x-ray chopper wheel assembly, and corresponding method, include a chopper wheel having a solid area configured to block x-ray radiation received at a source side of the chopper wheel from an x-ray source. The chopper wheel defines one or more openings configured to pass x-ray radiation from the source side of the chopper wheel to an output side of the chopper wheel. The assembly further includes a source-side scatter plate arranged relative to the chopper wheel with a source-side gap in a range of approximately 0.2 mm to approximately 2.0 mm between the source-side scatter plate and the source side of the chopper wheel. The assembly and method can be used to limit leakage of scattered x-rays from the assembly, such as to safe levels for operation, while being significantly lighter than existing confinement enclosures.

Abstract: An x-ray scanning assembly includes a disk chopper wheel configured to be irradiated by an x-ray beam and to block x-ray radiation of the x-ray beam, the wheel having a rim and a center. The disk chopper wheel defines therein two or more radial slits extending radially toward a rim and a center of the wheel, the slits configured to pass x-ray radiation of the x-ray beam therethrough and having at least two respective, distinct widths. An x-ray beam collimation system includes an x-ray source configured to output x-ray radiation; a collimator configured to receive the x-ray radiation form a collimated x-ray fan beam to be received at a chopper wheel. The collimated x-ray fan beam has a cross-sectional length and a cross-sectional width, smaller than the length, measured at the chopper wheel. The collimator includes a width adjustor configured to adjust width of the fan beam.

Abstract: A target inspection system includes a portable x-ray scanner configured to output a scanning beam of x-rays, a transmission detector module to detect x-rays of the scanning beam of x-rays that are transmitted through a target when the target is interposed between the portable x-ray scanner and the transmission detector module, and a coupling arm configured to couple the portable x-ray scanner to the transmission detector module mechanically to form a target inspection assembly, via a mechanical coupling between the coupling arm and the portable x-ray scanner at a proximal end of the coupling arm, and via a mechanical coupling between the coupling arm and the transmission detector module at a distal end of the coupling arm. The transmission detector module and the portable x-ray scanner are mechanically coupled together via the coupling arm, defining an opening to receive the target to be interposed therebetween for an x-ray scanning operation.