Use Compton Backscatter Imaging for Detection of IEDs

摘要

Compton Backscatter Imaging (CBI) has proven effective, but slow in land mine detection when used in a pencil beam configuration. Additionally, recent research has shown CBI in a fan beam configuration can be effective in Pressure Plate Improvised Explosive Device (IED) interrogation, given the higher acquisition speeds. However, one of the simplistic questions presented with recent research is whether the original experimental design accounted for the realistic possibility of nonbinary, non-ideal conditions.When a pressure plate IED is detected in a combat environment, the pressure plate may come in multiple configurations in terms of wire diameter, angular orientation, or construction. Previous research has demonstrated that when scanned perpendicularly or parallel to the fan beam, a device can be detected within 35 s. These orientations allow for the most exposure of the device by each detector pixel, thus providing the greatest opportunity to overcome integration time within the detector. However, not every pressure plate will be detected or interrogated at an ideal angle with the greatest exposure.This research has demonstrated that despite the angular orientation of the pressure plate target relative to the source fan beam and detector, a linear detector array can detect the presence of a pressure plate device under 3 cm of sand.