Patent ID: 6518580
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: G01T

Abstract:
Apparatus for providing a radiographic measurement of the linear column density of a target that is resistant to x-ray radiography comprising;(a) means for providing a beam of charged particles directed to pass through said target, said of charged particles having an unattenuated velocity before passing through said target; (b) a Cerenkov radiating medium disposed in the path of said beam of charged particles after said beam has passed through said target, said Cerenkov radiating medium being chosen to provide a threshold velocity for Cerenkov light emission that is just below the lowest anticipated velocity of the charged particles passing through the target; (c) a first optical detecting/recording device for detecting and recording the intensity of Cerenkov light pattern emitted by said Cerenkov radiating medium in response to said beam of charged particles, said intensity being related to the linear column density of the target in the path of said beam.