Explosive detection system based on thermal neutron activation

In the last few years, great strides were made in the research, development and demonstration of nuclear based techniques for the detection of bulk explosives. These techniques are shown to provide the only feasible approach for meeting the operational criteria of high detection, low rate of false positives and acceptable high throughput of screening luggage and cargo against concealed explosives in air transportation. This novel explosive detection provides a powerful tool for combating terrorism in air transportation and in other similar applications. The nuclear based techniques are characterized by probing the screened object (e.g., luggage) with highly penetrating radiation, i.e., neutrons or energetic gamma rays. High energy gamma rays produced by the probing radiation are characteristic to the elemental composition of the objects. The gamma rays are detected by an array of detectors placed near the object. The intensity, energy and spatial distribution of the detected radiation and their relationship to the primary radiation allow a computer to determine the presence or absence of explosives.