The present specification describes a scanning/inspection system configured as a dual-view system using dual-energy sensitive stacked detectors that are partially populated with multi-energy discriminating detectors for overall enhanced energy resolution and therefore improved discrimination of materials through better estimation of material physical properties such as density and effective atomic number.

A dual energy based X-ray scanning system has a linear detector array with high and low energy detectors. A signal processing method is employed that accounts for varying angles at which the transmitted X-rays impinge upon the detectors and also the varying order in which the transmitted X-rays pass through the high and low energy detectors. This yields both high resolution in the generated images and better penetration performance.

A three-dimensional (3D) x-ray tomographic imaging system includes an x-ray source fixedly attached to a first unmanned vehicle, which can be aerial or otherwise configured for locomotion, and an x-ray detector. A vehicle controller is configured to be operated by an operator, and an optical camera is mounted to the first unmanned vehicle at a fixed position relative to the x-ray source, and an optical pattern is fixed at a position relative to the x-ray detector. The x-ray source and x-ray detector are configured to be positioned on substantially opposite sides of the object, while the x-ray source is rotated radially around the object to one or more imaging positions.

Embodiments of the disclosed system and method provide for generating a multiple-energy X-ray pulse. A beam of electrons is generated with an electron gun and modulated prior to injection into an accelerating structure to achieve at least a first and second specified beam current amplitude over the course of respective beam current temporal profiles. A radio frequency field is applied to the accelerating structure with a specified RF field amplitude and a specified RF temporal profile. The first and second specified beam current amplitudes are injected serially, each after a specified delay, in such a manner as to achieve at least two distinct energies of electrons accelerated within the accelerating structure during a course of a single RF-pulse. The beam of electrons is accelerated by the radio frequency field within the accelerating structure to produce accelerated electrons which impinge upon a target for generating Bremsstrahlung X-rays.

The present specification discloses a radiographic inspection system for screening an area. The inspection system has a container that defines an enclosed volume, a radiation source positioned within the enclosed volume, a detector array, a movable structure attached to a portion of the base of the container, and a controller programmed to move the movable structure to achieve an optimum height of the radiation source's field of view based upon a plurality of data.

Multi-spectral static CT apparatuses are disclosed. The apparatus includes a ray source in a form of multiple distributed spots, multiple columns of detectors, a data acquisition device, an article carrying and control device, and a multi-spectral projection data processing device. An object of the present disclosure is to combine static CT scanning technology with multi-spectral analysis technology. It has an advantage of a static CT system, such as high scanning speed, simple mechanic structure, and/or cost reduction due to omission of slip ring. It also can perform identification of material in an article, and can be widely applied in occasions such as safety inspection, and smuggling suppression at customs.

Radiation scanning systems providing multiple views of an object in different planes and a reconstruction algorithm for reconstructing quasi-three-dimensional images from a limited number of views. A system may include bend magnets to direct accelerated charged particles to multiple targets in different viewing locations. Another system collimates radiation generated by a plurality of radiation sources into multiple beams for scanning an object at multiple angles. The object may be a cargo container, for example. The reconstruction algorithm uses an optimization algorithm and imaging and feasibility models to reconstruct quasi-three-dimensional images from the limited number of views.

There is provided a method and corresponding system and apparatus for image reconstruction based on image data from a photon-counting multi-bin x-ray detector. The method includes determining (S1) parameter(s) of a given functional form of the relationship between comparator settings expressed in voltage in the read-out chain of the x-ray detector and the corresponding energy threshold values expressed in energy based on a fitting procedure between a first set of data representative of a measured pulse height spectrum and a second set of data representative of a reference pulse height spectrum. The method also includes performing (S2) image reconstruction based on the image data and the determined parameter(s). In this way, efficient high-quality image reconstruction can be achieved.

Compact, dual energy radiation scanning systems are described comprising two particle beam accelerators, each configured to accelerate charged particles to different energies, positioned parallel to a direction of movement of an object to be inspected. The accelerator may be positioned perpendicular to a plane of the conveying system, instead. Bend magnet systems bend each charged particle beam toward a respective target. Alternatively, a single dual energy accelerator capable of accelerating charged particles to at least two different energies is positioned parallel to the direction of movement of the object, or perpendicular to a plane of the conveying system. A single bend magnet system is provided to bend each accelerated charged particle beam toward the same target. The particle beams may be bent through an orbit chamber. Two separate passages may be defined through at least part of the orbit chamber, one for charged particles having each energy.

The invention provides a system and method for characterising at least part of a material comprising: a source of incident X-rays (4, 28) configured to irradiate at least part of the material; one or more detectors (300,302,312,1701,1704,1600,1607,1608,1604) adapted to detect radiation emanating from within or passing through the material as a result of the irradiation by the incident radiation (1700) and thereby produce a detection signal (313); and one or more digital processors (304-311,2000-2009) configured to process the detection signal (313) to characterise at least part of the material; wherein the one or more detectors (300,302,312,1701, 1704,1600,1607,1608,1604) and one or more digital processors (304-311,2000-2009) are configured to characterise at least part of the material by performing energy resolved photon counting X-ray transmission spectroscopy analysis.