Patent Number: 
Section: description

As shown in FIG. 1, an object 1 to be X-rayed is located in an X-ray tunnel 2 of an X-ray testing machine 3. Disposed inside the X-ray tunnel 2 is an adjustable diffraction apparatus 10. The diffraction apparatus 10 comprises a collimator/detector arrangement 11 and an X-ray source 12. The collimator/detector arrangement 11 is aimed at an X-ray beam FXxe2x80x2, which is preferably a primary beam emitted as a xe2x80x98pencil beamxe2x80x99 from the X-ray source 12, which is preferably disposed beneath a transport device 4 for the object to be tested in the X-ray tunnel 2. The collimator/detector arrangement (11) is mounted to be adjustable both height-wise and laterally (in the Z and Y directions, respectively, as shown in the figure by arrows) by means of adjustment elements 5, not shown in detail here, connected thereto. The X-ray source 12 is mounted on adjustment elements 6, and can also be adjusted laterally in the Y direction parallel to lateral adjustments of the collimator/detector arrangement (11). The collimation/detector arrangement 11 and the X-ray source 12 are guided synchronously, for which purpose the elements 5 and 6 (which can be, for example, linear guidance with a spindle drive) are actuated at the same time. This movement can be coordinated by a computer 30, not shown in detail. The object 1 to be X-rayed is located, with its items 7, 8, on the transport device 4. If the primary beam FXxe2x80x2 of an X-ray source hits a material, this primary beam FXxe2x80x2 is known to be partially deflected at the crystal-lattice structure of the material as scatter radiation FXxe2x80x3 (as known from Bragg""s Law). Accordingly, the energy spectrum obtained with the energy-sensitive detector yields the crystal structure, and thus the identity of the material. In particular, explosives can be identified and distinguished in this manner. FIG. 2 shows, in detail, the diffraction apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention for making such X-ray diffraction measurements. The collimator 13 comprises a round slot 15 which defines a predetermined angle "THgr"M in the form of a truncated cone such that, of the scatter radiation emanating from the tested point GM7 of the item 7 in the object, only the components that fall within a specific angle "THgr"M are allowed through to the detector 14. The energy-sensitive detector 14 located behind the collimator 13 detects the scatter radiation FXxe2x80x3 passing through round slot 15 at the scatter angle "THgr"M. To attain a primary beam FXxe2x80x2 from the X-ray source 12, a collimator arrangement 16, for example an apertured-diaphragm arrangement, is mounted in front of the X-ray source 12. The diffraction apparatus should be aligned to the location of the material to be determined in order to make a X-ray diffraction measurement. If the position information in two spatial coordinates (e.g., transport-device position X and lateral position Y) for the items 7 and 8, for example, is known from a lower or prior test stage, the respective missing coordinate e.g. height must be continuously scanned in a measuring sweep. For this purpose, the transportation device 4 and the collimation/detector arrangement 11 travel to an initial position specified for the respective item 7. From there, the measuring sweep is initiated such that the arrangement 11 travels, as necessary, in its height direction and laterally, synchronously with the X-ray source 12, in the direction of the missing coordinate. The signals recorded by the detector during a measuring sweep are stored in one or more energy spectra and compared in a known manner to known energy spectra in the computer 30. This comparison thus yields the material type, particularly for explosive material. If the predetermined points GM7 and GM8 are known in three spatial coordinates, the collimator/detection arrangement 11 and the X-ray source 12 of the diffraction apparatus 10 are displaced and aligned to points GM7 and GM8 one after the other. The scatter radiation FXxe2x80x3 of the X-ray source 12, which is deflected at the crystal lattice of the items 7 or 8, is captured through the round slot 15 of the collimator 13. No further adjustment of the collimator/detection arrangement 11 is necessary during the respective measurement. It is also possible to combine the coordinate information from the lower test stage and the additional, spatial information from the higher stage, possibly supplemented by numerous measurements along numerous measuring paths, and thus determine the volume and the precise spatial position of, for example, the item 8 in the object 1. FIG. 3 illustrates an advantageous embodiment of the annular-slot collimator 13. A central, blind-bore-like opening 17 is preferably integrated into the collimator 13. The opening 17 is closed in the direction toward the detector 14 disposed behind it. A first detection device 21 and, disposed behind it at a defined distance, a second detection device 22, are located in the opening 17. The first detection device 21 is embodied as a detector for relatively lower X-ray energies, and the second detection device 22 is embodied as a detector for higher X-ray energies. This collimator 13 can be used, for example, to additionally perform a conventional material detection through the determination of the average atomic number of the material of the item 7 or 8. The combination of this atomic number and the determined energy spectrum can attain an improved identification of the material of the item 7 or 8. This is of particular significance if the item 7 or 8 contains a highly-absorbent material. Often, lower energies of the central beam FXxe2x80x2 are absorbed in the material, so the corresponding lines of diffraction are missing in the measured energy spectrum. This absence can be reported to the computer with the additional determination of material, and considered in the comparison for the evaluation. In addition, the detection devices 21, 22, which can also comprise, for example, quadrant detectors, can perform a precise spatial orientation (alignment) of the collimation/detection arrangement 11 relative to the X-ray source 12. The alignment itself is effected without an object 1 being located between the collimator/detector arrangement 11 and the X-ray source 12. To this end, the collimator 13 described in conjunction with FIG. 2 has the additional opening 17 with the detection devices, which was not shown in detail in FIG. 2 in order to provide a clear overview. Of course, modifications are possible within the scope of the concept of the invention. For example, other diffraction apparatuses 10 can be used, as are described in the state of the technology, in which case the diffraction apparatus 10, as disclosed in the description, for example, is to be adjustable. The invention now being fully described, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth herein.