EXPLOSIVE DETECTION SYSTEMS USING
GAMMA RESONANCE TECHNOLOGY
J. Brondo1, L. Wielopolski2, P. Thieberger3, J. Alessi3, D. Vartsky4, and J. Sredniawski5.
1
Scientific Innovations, Inc., NY, 2Environmental Science Department, 3Collider and Accelerator
Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Bldg. 490D,Upton NY11973, 4Nuclear Research Center
Nahal Soreq, Israel, 5Advanced Energy Systems Inc., NY.
Gamma Resonance Technology provides the combined capability of absorption and fluorescence
in the simultaneous detection and imaging of multiple elements for identification of contraband
and total density for imaging of contents. This method of scanning is unique in its ability to
provide imaging by element coincident with total density imaging. In addition it includes both
high resolution and high penetration without induced radioactivity as is encountered with neutron
techniques. The scanning beam dynamics and geometry allow for system configurations that
provide 3-D tomographic, multiple projection, single sided imaging and standoff identification.
This technique has been demonstrated for high explosives including thin sheet containing nitrogen
and present system design is to include nitrogen, oxygen, chlorine and other elements of interest.
although they suffer from the problems of
induced radioactivity to the system itself, to the
surrounding facility and to the objects being
interrogated. Gamma Resonance Technology
(GRT) provides a means of specific imaging and
identification of chemical elements, imaging of
total contents and high penetrability without the
problem of induced radioactivity.
INTRODUCTION
The present world focus on threats of terrorism
has created a review of all existing means of
intercepting and preventing the use of
explosives, chemical agents, biological agents,
dirty bombs and nuclear weapons. The
Government has placed strong emphasis on the
deployment of available systems and the
development of new technology to overcome the
current limitations and provide protection in
areas that have not been adequately addressed.
There have been identified requirements for
systematic interrogation of shipping containers,
trucks, cargo, mail, aircraft containers and other
areas. Current systems have demonstrated their
susceptibility to high false alarm rates and
limited capability in positive identification of
threats. X-ray methods can provide excellent
imaging
and
in
some
configurations,
identification of relative atomic number,
however, there is a need for additional specific
positive identification by element to reduce false
alarms. NQR is specific to molecular
composition however this method does not
provide penetrability or imaging required for
containers, trucks and metallic objects due to the
screening effect of the electromagnetic waves.
Neutron techniques do provide capability for
identification of specific chemical elements
GRT STATUS
Gamma Resonance has been demonstrated to
detect nitrogenous explosives [1]. This has been
accomplished at Los Alamos, Northrop
Grumman, and Birmingham University. The
main obstacle in accomplishing continuous
demonstration and production of a commercially
viable system has been the lack of a reliable
source for the gamma beam production. This has
been overcome with the identification of
commercially available accelerators, power
supply and generator combinations in a turnkey
configuration that resolves this issue (private
communication). A commercial target design for
nitrogen
detection
has
already
been
demonstrated to operate at proton beam currents
up to 10mA [2-4]. Throughputs based on 10 mA
current are estimated at 1400 bags/hr [5, 6]At
this time it is evident that a system for detection
of explosives can be fully integrated utilizing
CP680, Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry: 17th Int'l. Conference, edited by J. L. Duggan and I. L. Morgan
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utilizing
Gamma
Resonance
for
demonstration testing and development of
future enhancements to the applications of
this technology. With sufficient support this
center will be fully operational within one
year. In parallel we are planning to design a
deliverable for certification testing.
currently proposed new accelerators, detectors
and targets. Advanced designs can now be
developed from this baseline for multiple
elements and a variety of beam and detector
configurations for specific applications.
Scientific Innovations, Inc. and Brookhaven
National Laboratory are collaborating to
establish a center for initial demonstration of
a commercially viable baseline system
APPLICATIONS
The initial applications being considered are for shipping containers, cargo, bulk mail,
vehicles, trucks, railroad cars and aircraft containers.
Border Control
Stadiums &
Olympic Events
Airline Security
EDS-GRT
Shipping Ports
Bridges/Tunnels
Building &
Monument Security
Power Plant Security
Force Protection
Postal Security
or vehicles, or four shipping containers. This
manner of maximizing accelerator usage
will greatly reduce the system cost since the
accelerator is major cost driver at this time.
These configurations will be useful in
supporting fixed facilities requiring multiple
stations such as airline terminals, mail
processing nodes, shipping ports, fixed
border crossings, military bases, government
DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS
A single accelerator can operate multiple
inspection stations either in timeshare mode
with full beam or in simultaneous mode
utilizing beam splitting. Each inspection
station comprised of a target and detector
arrays can simultaneously scan four air
cargo containers, four conveyors, two trucks
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facilities, and fixed vehicle interrogation
sites.
The entire system can also be
transportable complete with its own
generator. This will address the applications
such as border control, force protection,
stadiums and Olympic sites, and high alert
situations where immediate scanning
capability would be required in specific
locations for trucks or vehicles.
A single system feeds simultaneously
Four inspection stations
A single source supporting two
conveyors for small parcels or
luggage
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Large container inspection
enable a rapid implementation of GRT into a
valuable asset in the defense against
terrorism. The capability provided will allow
for fully automatic detection and decision
without the need for operator intervention or
interpretation of the data or the images.
DISCUSSION
Gamma Resonance has been a sought after
technology for explosive detection since the
mid 1980’s. It provides the enhanced benefit
of imaging plus specific elemental
discrimination
required
for
positive
detection and identification of threats.
Support for these developments has been
provided by Department of Defense through
DARPA, The Department of Transportation
through the FAA and The Treasury
Department through U.S. Customs. Before
the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001
the development had been discontinued do
to a lack of support for accelerator-based
systems. There is now renewed interest in
moving this technology into commercially
available systems to fill the current
requirements that cannot be addressed with
existing systems. The past developments
were also hampered by the lack of available
compact sources to provide the specific
beam parameters required to make systems
easily operable and reliable for field
applications.
At this time a proposed accelerator system
is being reviewed for integration that would
offer a turnkey operation. This system will
REFERENCES
1. L. Wielopolski, P. Thieberger, J. Alessi, J.
Brondo, D. Vartsky, and J. Sredniawski,
Gamma Resonance Technology For
Detection Of Explosives, Revisited, ibid.
2. S.T. Melnychuk, R. Meilunas, Development
of a Thin Film 9.17 MeV Gamma Ray
Production Target for the Contraband
Detection System, IEEE Proc. of 1999
Particle Accel. Conf. P.587
3. R.J. Meilunas, S.T.Melnychuk, F.F.
Zimmerman,Jr.,United States Patent No.:
6,215,851 April 10, 2001, High Energy
Proton Beam Target.
4. J. Rathke, E.Peterson, J.Klein, Engineering
Design of a Continuous Duty γ-Production
Proton Target for the Contraband Detection
System, IEEE Proc. of 1999 Particle Accel.
Conf., p. 551
5. J.J. Sredniawski, et.al , Proc. of 18th Int. Lin.
Accel. Conf., vol.1, 26-30 Aug. 1996, p. 444
6. S.T. Melnychuk, et.al. Proc. of 18th Int. Lin.
Accel. Conf., vol.2, 26-30 Aug. 1996, p. 479
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