Interrogating hidden contents of a container

US7970103B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Raytheon Company · US

Inventors

• Michael V. Hynes · Cambridge, US
• Bernard Harris · Pelham, US
• Brandon W. Blackburn · Idaho Falls, US
• John E. McElroy · North Andover, US
• Richard C. Lanza · Brookline, US
• Timothy A. Antaya · Exeter, US
• Richard Sheffield · Amarillo, US
• John T. Mihalczo · Oak Ridge, US
• Paul A. Hausladen · Oak Ridge, US
• Alan W. Hunt · Pocatello, US
• Hugh Robert Andrews · Pembroke, CA
• James W. Johnson · Delaware, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 5, 2009
• Grant date: Jun 28, 2011
• Expiry date: Dec 22, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01V5/20
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a system for interrogating hidden contents of a container comprises a controller, a detector system, and a data system. The controller receives a selection of a source mode of source radiation to generate to interrogate contents of a container. The source mode selection comprises a neutron mode, a gamma ray mode, or a combined neutron-gamma ray mode. The controller instructs a cyclotron to generate the source radiation according to the source mode selection. The detector system detects radiation emitted from the contents in response to the source radiation. The data system analyzes the emitted radiation and describes the contents according to the analysis.