초록 ▼

This invention provides coded aperture imaging apparatus and methods for the detection and imaging of radiation which results from nuclear interrogation of a target object. The apparatus includes: 1) a radiation detector for detecting at least a portion of the radiation emitted by the object in resp

This invention provides coded aperture imaging apparatus and methods for the detection and imaging of radiation which results from nuclear interrogation of a target object. The apparatus includes: 1) a radiation detector for detecting at least a portion of the radiation emitted by the object in response to nuclear excitation and for producing detection signals responsive to the radiation; 2) a coded aperture disposed between the detector and the object such that emitted radiation is detected by the detector after passage through the coded aperture; and 3) a data processor for characterizing the object based upon the detection signals from the detector and upon the configuration of the coded aperture. The method includes the steps of: 1) disposing a coded aperture in selected proximity to the object; 2) bombarding the object with a interrogation beam from a source of excitation energy; 3) detecting, with a detector, at least a portion of the radiation emitted in response to the interrogation beam, the detector producing detection signals responsive to the radiation, the detector being disposed so that the coded aperture is between the detector and the object and such that emitted radiation is detected by the detector after passage through the coded aperture; and 4) processing the detection signals to characterize the object based upon radiation detected by the detector after passage through the coded aperture, and based upon the configuration of the coded aperture.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [5.] A method of analyzing the elemental composition of an object in response to neutron bombardment, comprising the steps ofdisposing a coded aperture having a predetermined configuration in selected proximity to the object;generating a beam of fast neutrons;irradiating the object with

[ I claim:] [5.] A method of analyzing the elemental composition of an object in response to neutron bombardment, comprising the steps ofdisposing a coded aperture having a predetermined configuration in selected proximity to the object;generating a beam of fast neutrons;irradiating the object with the beam of fast neutrons, the fast neutrons interacting with atomic nuclei of the elements contained within the object to produce gamma-rays characteristic of the elements contained within the object;measuring the characteristic spectral lines of the gamma-rays using a radiation detector array and a data processor, the gamma-rays having passed through the coded aperture disposed between the object and the radiation detector array;determining density distributions of the elements contained within the object based upon the measured characteristic spectral lines and the predetermined configuration of the coded aperture;comparing the density distributions with known density distributions of the elements of interest.