Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inspection system that has a radiation source, a detector array, an inspection region, and a processing unit, where the processing unit a) obtains a radiographic image, b) segments the radiographic image based on radiation attenuation or transmission, c) identifies at least one segmented area on the radiographic image, d) filters the at least one segmented area using at least one geometric filter, e) generates feature vectors using the filtered segmented area; and f) compares the feature vectors against predefined values to determine whether a high-atomic-number object is present.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inspection system that has a radiation source, a detector array, an inspection region, and a processing unit, where the processing unit a) obtains a radiographic image, b) segments the radiographic image based on radiation attenuation or transmission, c) identifies at least one segmented area on the radiographic image, d) filters the at least one segmented area using at least one geometric filter, e) generates feature vectors using the filtered segmented area; and f) compares the feature vectors against predefined values to determine whether a high-atomic-number object is present.

Abstract: An inspection system for detecting contraband in cargo containers, vehicles, rail cars, etc. having an X-ray source and X-ray imaging capability. A cargo container or vehicle is scanned with the beam to look for possible target objects, such as contraband. If the X-ray image shows the existence of targets or possible targets at specific sites, each site may be probed with neutrons by placing a beam converter plate in front of the same X-ray beam used for X-ray imaging, converting the beam to a neutron beam. The neutrons are quickly thermalized and captured by materials producing nuclear reactions with specific elements, yielding gamma rays whose energy is characteristic of particular specific elements. For special nuclear materials, the neutron probe beam can induce the emission of fission neutrons which can be detected. Disclosed are embodiments where the cargo container is fixed and the X-ray equipment is mobile and where the cargo container is mobile and the X-ray equipment is fixed.

Abstract: A radiographic inspection apparatus for large containers, vehicles and structures having a movable frame which can straddle the container or object being inspected. The straddling frame has opposed parallel sides which carry a source of penetrating radiation and a detector array. The source or sources and detectors are moved along the length of a container while radiographic image data is being sequentially recorded. By summing or collecting the sequence of data over the length of a container as the straddling frame moves along, a full two-dimensional radiographic image of the container may be obtained. Radiographic images may be enhanced either by providing uniform motion for the straddling frame or by measuring non-uniform motion and compensating corresponding regions of the radiographic image.

Abstract: Computed tomography inspection apparatus and method of inspecting electronic devices and features of PCBs/PWBs, such as solder bonds, tracings and vias. The system scans radiation passed through the devices in thin slices and detects attenuated radiation from which it generates data representing slice images with high resolution. The detected image data are analyzed automatically by an image data analyzer which receives model data against which it compares and evaluates the detected image data.

Abstract: Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is produced by continuous decomposition of ammonium and nitrate ions fed into an aqueous, strongly acid reaction liquor containing chloride ion as catalyst. N.sub.2 O and water are continuously removed.Preferred parameters areHydrogen ion 3 - 7 M, preferably, 4 - 6M, say 5-5.7M; chloride ion 0.05 - 0.45 M, preferably 0.05-0.3M, say 0.1-0.2M; nitrate ion 4-16M, preferably 8.5 - 15M, say 12-14.5M; ammonium ion 1M or more, preferably 4.5 - 9M, say 7 - 9M. temperature: above 80.degree. C, preferably 105.degree.-120.degree. C.The temperature is so maintained that the reaction liquor boils at the reaction temperature, the excess water being continuously removed by fractional distillation. The N.sub.2 O which is withdrawn overhead, is scrubbed with caustic alkali to remove chlorine contamination in the form of hypochlorite byproduct.The process offers a high degree of safety, flexibility and ease of control and can be carried out with inexpensive technical grades of ammonium nitrate.