Methods and apparatus for the identification of molecular and crystalline materials by the doppler broadening of nuclear states bound in molecules, crystals and mixtures using nuclear resonance fluorescence
US8023618B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2008 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2223/076
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The broadening of the lines in NRF from an isotope that is part of a material may be due to several causes: the temperature of the material, the molecular structure of the material and the crystalline structure of the material. By measuring the broadening caused by the molecular structure and the crystalline structure the material itself can be identified. The exact energy of the lines in NRF may also depend on the nature of the crystalline and molecular structure of the material. By measuring the changes in the energy of the NRF lines caused by the structure of the material the material itself may be identified. These techniques provide a “fingerprint” of the molecule or crystal that is involved. The fingerprint information may be used to determine a potential threat.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.