Patent ID: 7366282
Filing Date: 2008-04-29
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for identifying an object concealed within a container, comprising: a first stage inspection system having a scanning system to generate a first set of data; a plurality of processors in data communication with the first stage inspection system wherein the processors process said first set of data and wherein the first set of data is used to identify at least one target region; a means for positioning an inspection region relative to the target region wherein an inspection region at least partially physically coincides with the target region; and a second stage inspection system for generating the inspection region wherein the second stage inspection system comprises a first member having detector electronics and a diffraction detector head; a second member affixed substantially perpendicular to the first member; a third member affixed substantially perpendicular to the second member and parallel to the first member, wherein the third member comprises a radiation source for projecting an X-ray beam toward the target object and comprises a fluorescence detector head in an angular relationship to said radiation source; and a conveyor for positioning said target object between said first member having detector electronics and a diffraction detector head and said third member having said radiation source and said fluorescence detector head; wherein the second stage inspection system produces a second set of data having an X-ray signature characteristic of the material in said inspection region and a third set of data having a fluorescence signature characteristic of the material in said inspection region; and a processor that outputs a ratio of an attenuation caused by said material to a size of said material, based upon said second set of data having an X-ray signature characteristic and said third set of data having a fluorescence signature characteristic, and, using said ratio, outputs a determination of whether the material is a nuclear material.