EP1842208B1 - Collimateur à distance focale réglable - Google Patents

Collimateur à distance focale réglable Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1842208B1
EP1842208B1 EP06706277A EP06706277A EP1842208B1 EP 1842208 B1 EP1842208 B1 EP 1842208B1 EP 06706277 A EP06706277 A EP 06706277A EP 06706277 A EP06706277 A EP 06706277A EP 1842208 B1 EP1842208 B1 EP 1842208B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
collimator
ray
focal length
radiation
ray inspection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP06706277A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1842208A1 (fr
Inventor
Norbert Haunschild
Ullrich Herda
Uwe Siedenburg
Martin Hartick
Patricia Schall
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Smiths Heimann GmbH
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Smiths Heimann GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Smiths Heimann GmbH filed Critical Smiths Heimann GmbH
Publication of EP1842208A1 publication Critical patent/EP1842208A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1842208B1 publication Critical patent/EP1842208B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21K—HANDLING OF PARTICLES OR IONISING RADIATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; IRRADIATION DEVICES; GAMMA RAY OR X-RAY MICROSCOPES
    • G21K1/00—Arrangements for handling particles or ionising radiation, e.g. focusing or moderating
    • G21K1/02—Arrangements for handling particles or ionising radiation, e.g. focusing or moderating using diaphragms, collimators
    • G21K1/025—Arrangements for handling particles or ionising radiation, e.g. focusing or moderating using diaphragms, collimators using multiple collimators, e.g. Bucky screens; other devices for eliminating undesired or dispersed radiation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to X-ray inspection systems with a collimator with adjustable focal length.
  • X-ray inspection methods are used in particular for the detection of critical substances and objects in pieces of baggage or other cargo.
  • multistage systems whose first stage is based on the absorption of X-rays.
  • a second stage is used, which is selectively fed to objects from the first stage.
  • the second stage uses systems whose operating principle is based on diffraction phenomena.
  • the diffraction angle in which an incident X-ray beam is deflected, depends on the atomic lattice spacing of the material to be investigated and on the energy and thus the wavelength of the incident radiation.
  • US2002 / 0181656A1 Disclosed an apparatus for determining the crystalline and polycrystalline materials of an object having the features of the preamble of claim 1.
  • EP0462658A2 discloses an arrangement for measuring the pulse transmission spectrum of X-ray quanta, wherein inter alia a diaphragm arrangement and covering means are displaced together along the axis to the examination area.
  • EP0556887A1 discloses an arrangement for measuring the momentum transfer spectrum of elastically scattered x-ray quanta.
  • Needle beam an energy spectrum, which is known for example from measurements. Bragg's equation implies that the incident radiation at each point is diffracted at an angle that depends on the energy of the radiation. Radiation with an energy spectrum is therefore diffracted in an angular range, while the diffraction is rotationally symmetrical about the incident needle beam. In an X-ray inspection, it is desirable to detect only diffracted radiation at a certain angle. This is also achieved through the use of a collimator.
  • the passband of the collimator essentially corresponds to the lateral surface of a cone whose tip coincides with the point whose diffraction properties are to be investigated. To examine an area within an object, a plurality of points must be focused.
  • a second possibility consists in the use of a collimator which has a plurality of parallel openings of the same opening angle and with which therefore a plurality of points can be focused simultaneously on the axis of rotation.
  • the use of a non-segmented detector which is not spatially resolving and therefore provides a common output for all focused points has the disadvantage that the evaluation and the unambiguous assignment of the detected radiation to a diffraction point are difficult.
  • a segmented detector which is divided, for example, in separately evaluable circular rings, this disadvantage does not occur, but such a detector is complicated and expensive.
  • the object of the present invention is to simplify the construction and operation of an X-ray inspection system based on the diffraction principle.
  • the collimator with adjustable focal length at least two apertures each having at least one substantially annular slot around a common center axis, wherein at least one aperture along the central axis is movable.
  • Such a collimator consists essentially of an X-ray absorbing housing. Within the housing there are at least two parallel Apertures each having at least one substantially annular slot around a common central axis. This central axis corresponds to the axis of rotation of the desired cone-shaped passband of the collimator. By parallel displacement of at least one aperture along this central axis, the aperture angle and thus the focal length of the collimator can be varied. In the case of an immovable combination of detector and collimator with respect to the object to be examined, this angle adjustment corresponds to an adaptation of the focus along the central axis and thus the selection of a desired point within the object to be examined.
  • the diaphragms are made of highly radiation-absorbing material in an advantageous manner. This ensures that essentially only the radiation impinging at the set angle and passing through the slits reaches the detector arranged behind the collimator.
  • the adjustable focus collimator is used in an X-ray inspection apparatus according to the invention, which has an X-ray source, a collimator and an X-ray detector.
  • the broadband X-ray source emits a sharply delimited needle beam. This strikes the object to be examined, becomes diffracted and hits the X-ray detector through the collimator.
  • One possible field of use of such an X-ray inspection device is the use as a second stage in an X-ray inspection system.
  • objects examined in the first stage can, if necessary, be fed to the second stage, which is based on the diffraction principle and uses such a collimator.
  • Such a second stage is particularly suitable for detecting explosives.
  • an X-ray inspection method can be carried out in which the object to be examined is irradiated with a needle beam of broadband X-ray radiation and diffraction spectra are recorded for different diaphragm positions by means of the X-ray detector.
  • a focal length is initially set by positioning the aperture and thus focused on a specific point.
  • the collimator only allows the radiation to pass which is diffracted at the angle specified by the diaphragm position at the focused point.
  • By comparing the received spectrum measured at the detector with the known spectrum of the emitted needle beam it can be determined at which energy a diffraction took place at the set angle. from that can be concluded on the atomic structure of the material at the focused point and identify the substance located there.
  • the recorded spectra are compared with reference spectra.
  • reference spectra for known critical substances can be recorded and stored at different aperture positions. Since a needle beam with the same energy spectrum is used in the measurement of the reference spectra and the subsequent test procedure, the critical substances can be easily identified by comparing the received spectrum with the reference spectra.
  • the figures are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of a collimator with adjustable focal length with at least two diaphragms each having at least one substantially annular slot about a common center axis, wherein at least one aperture along the central axis is movable.
  • the collimator is used in an X-ray inspection system for the detection of explosives. For clarity, some elements such as the housing of the collimator have been omitted. As far as appropriate, the same elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.
  • an object 5 is to be examined along the axis 3 for critical substances.
  • the axis 3 is at the same time the axis of rotation of the diffraction phenomenon and the central axis for the diaphragms and their substantially annular slots.
  • the object to be examined 5 is irradiated with a needle beam 1 broadband X-ray along the axis 3, wherein the radiation is diffracted in the object 5.
  • diffraction spectra are recorded for different diaphragm positions by means of the X-ray detector 4.
  • the collimator performs spatial filtering before the diffracted beam strikes the detector 4.
  • Not illustrated x-ray source generates a radiation 1 with a known energy spectrum.
  • the substance at the diffraction point is identified by comparing the recorded spectra with reference spectra.
  • B 1 denotes a fixed aperture placed close to the detector 4.
  • B 2 denotes a movable diaphragm, which is shown in dashed lines in a second position and designated B ' 2 .
  • This panel can be moved along the axis 3 parallel to B 1 .
  • a focus of the collimator results at the point P 1.
  • the collimator can only pass radiation 2 diffracted at the detection angle ⁇ 1 .
  • the focus of the collimator is directed to the point P 2 . In this case, only at the angle ⁇ 2 diffracted radiation 2 'passes through the collimator on the detector 4.
  • the movable diaphragm can be arbitrarily positioned so that the focal length of the collimator can be adjusted.
  • the opening angle of the collimator must be adjustable over a large area. Bragg's equation shows that large scattering angles are associated with small energies. However, small energies can lead to transmission problems through the examination subject.
  • the spatial extent of the object can be divided into several sections.
  • the total extent H of the object 5 is divided into two sub-areas h 1 and h 2 .
  • the collimator consists of a fixed diaphragm B 3 and two movable diaphragms B 4 , B ' 4 and B 5 , B' 5 .
  • the diaphragm B 4 , B ' 4 has a substantially annular slot.
  • the baffles B 3 and B 5 , B ' 5 each have two concentric, substantially annular slots.
  • the individual slot of the diaphragm B 4 , B ' 4 , the inner slot of the diaphragm B 3 and the outer slot of the diaphragm B 5 , B' 5 have the same distance from the central axis.
  • FIG. 2a shows the configuration for examining the area h 1 of the object 5.
  • the diaphragm B 4 is applied to the diaphragm B 3 and conceals its outer slot. method is only the aperture B 5 , B ' 5 .
  • the right edge of the area h 1 is focused, in the dashed position by means of B ' 5, the left edge. In intermediate positions, each point can be focused in the area h 1 .
  • FIG. 2b shows the configuration for examining the area h 2 .
  • the apertures B 4 and B 5 or B ' 4 and B' 5 are directly adjacent to one another and are moved together.
  • the diaphragm B 4 covers the inner slot of the diaphragm B 5 or B ' 4, the inner slot of B' 5 .
  • each point of the area h 2 can be focused. Shown in the figure is the extended position of the apertures B 4 and B 5 , in which the right edge point of the region h 2 is focused, and the dashed position of the apertures B ' 4 and B' 5 , in which the left edge point of the area h 2 is focused.
  • the geometry of the diaphragms can be simplified if a segmented X-ray detector is used.
  • the detector is divided, for example, into a plurality of annular segments which are arranged concentrically around the central axis of the collimator and whose output signals can be evaluated separately.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Analysing Materials By The Use Of Radiation (AREA)
  • Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)
  • Fuel-Injection Apparatus (AREA)

Claims (5)

  1. Appareil de contrôle radiographique comprenant :
    - une source de rayons X à large bande qui émet un rayon étroit (1) nettement délimité,
    - un collimateur, qui présente au moins deux obturateurs (B1, 82) ayant chacun au moins une fente pour l'essentiel de forme circulaire et un axe central (3) commun, au moins un obturateur pouvant être déplacé le long de l'axe central (3) pour sélectionner un point souhaité à l'intérieur d'un objet à examiner, et
    - un détecteur de rayons X (4), caractérisé en ce que le collimateur est un collimateur à distance focale réglable.
  2. Appareil de contrôle radiographique selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par un collimateur dont les obturateurs (B1, B2) se composent d'un matériau qui absorbe fortement le rayonnement.
  3. Appareil de contrôle radiographique selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé par un détecteur de rayons X segmenté.
  4. Procédé de contrôle radiographique, caractérisé en ce qu'un appareil de contrôle radiographique selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3 est utilisé, que l'objet à examiner (5) est irradié avec le rayon étroit (1) du rayonnement X à large bande et que des spectres de diffraction sont enregistrés au moyen du détecteur de rayons X (4) pour différentes positions des obturateurs.
  5. Procédé selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que les spectres enregistrés sont comparés avec des spectres de référence.
EP06706277A 2005-01-26 2006-01-18 Collimateur à distance focale réglable Expired - Lifetime EP1842208B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102005016656A DE102005016656A1 (de) 2005-01-26 2005-01-26 Kollimator mit einstellbarer Brennweite
PCT/EP2006/000396 WO2006079471A1 (fr) 2005-01-26 2006-01-18 Collimateur a distance focale reglable

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1842208A1 EP1842208A1 (fr) 2007-10-10
EP1842208B1 true EP1842208B1 (fr) 2010-08-04

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06706277A Expired - Lifetime EP1842208B1 (fr) 2005-01-26 2006-01-18 Collimateur à distance focale réglable

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US8472587B2 (fr)
EP (1) EP1842208B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN101107677B (fr)
AT (1) ATE476742T1 (fr)
DE (2) DE102005016656A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006079471A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102013018547B4 (de) * 2013-11-05 2019-11-07 Wavelight Gmbh Einrichtung zur Ausrichtung eines Fokussierobjektivs
KR102268608B1 (ko) * 2017-05-19 2021-06-28 주식회사 쎄크 엑스레이 튜브
FR3091405B1 (fr) * 2018-12-28 2021-04-02 Orano Ds Demantelement Et Services collimateurs à positions variables pour détecteur de rayonnement gamma

Family Cites Families (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT285756B (de) * 1969-02-20 1970-11-10 Otto Dipl Ing Dr Techn Kratky Blendenanordnung zur Begrenzung eines Röntgenstrahlenbündels
DE2539646A1 (de) * 1975-09-05 1977-03-17 Shimura Hikaru Roentgenstrahlen-beugungsgeraet
DE3909147A1 (de) * 1988-09-22 1990-09-27 Philips Patentverwaltung Anordnung zur messung des impulsuebertrages
CN2077546U (zh) * 1990-05-24 1991-05-22 中国科学院物理研究所 两用x-射线双晶衍射仪
DE4034602A1 (de) * 1990-06-20 1992-05-07 Philips Patentverwaltung Anordnung zur messung des impulsuebertragsspektrums von roentgenquanten
EP0556887B1 (fr) * 1992-02-06 1998-07-08 Philips Patentverwaltung GmbH Dispositif pour la mesure du spectre de transfert d'impulsions de quantor de rayonnement X
DE4441843A1 (de) * 1994-11-24 1996-05-30 Philips Patentverwaltung Anordnung zum Messen des Impulsübertragungsspektrums von elastisch gestreuten Röntgenquanten
GB2297835A (en) * 1995-02-08 1996-08-14 Secr Defence Three dimensional detection of contraband using x rays
DE19954663B4 (de) * 1999-11-13 2006-06-08 Smiths Heimann Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung eines Materials eines detektierten Gegenstandes
US6542578B2 (en) * 1999-11-13 2003-04-01 Heimann Systems Gmbh Apparatus for determining the crystalline and polycrystalline materials of an item
JP2001208705A (ja) * 2000-01-27 2001-08-03 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd 散乱ｘ線式欠陥検出装置及びｘ線検出装置
EP1193492B1 (fr) * 2000-09-27 2007-08-08 Euratom Collimateur de microfaisceau pour l'analyse en diffraction de rayons X à l'aide de diffractomètres conventionnels
CN1293367A (zh) * 2000-11-10 2001-05-02 中国科学院合肥智能机械研究所 一种探测人体内隐藏毒品的装置和方法
US20050058242A1 (en) * 2003-09-15 2005-03-17 Peschmann Kristian R. Methods and systems for the rapid detection of concealed objects
GB0312499D0 (en) * 2003-05-31 2003-07-09 Council Cent Lab Res Councils Tomographic energy dispersive diffraction imaging system
DE10330521A1 (de) 2003-07-05 2005-02-10 Smiths Heimann Gmbh Gerät und Verfahren zur Überprüfung von Gegenständen
DE10339486A1 (de) * 2003-08-27 2005-03-31 Siemens Ag Verfahren zum Ermitteln und Lokalisieren von störobjektebedingten Messsystemfehlern in der Computertomographie
DE102005011467B4 (de) * 2005-03-12 2008-02-28 Smiths Heimann Gmbh Kollimator mit einstellbarer Brennweite, hierauf gerichtetes Verfahren sowie Röntgenprüfanlage
US7519152B2 (en) * 2005-06-14 2009-04-14 L-3 Communications Security And Detection Systems, Inc. Inspection system with material identification

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1842208A1 (fr) 2007-10-10
US20110182404A1 (en) 2011-07-28
ATE476742T1 (de) 2010-08-15
DE102005016656A1 (de) 2006-08-10
DE502006007583D1 (de) 2010-09-16
US8472587B2 (en) 2013-06-25
CN101107677A (zh) 2008-01-16
CN101107677B (zh) 2011-04-13
WO2006079471A1 (fr) 2006-08-03
HK1117635A1 (en) 2009-01-16

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