Pulsed backscatter imaging apparatus and method

摘要

A backscatter imaging apparatus 10, comprises a laser plasma (wakefield) accelerator 2 directing a short pulsed, collimated beam of electrons 3 towards a barrier 4 and a concealed object 5. A fast detector 6 receives a backscattered X-ray signal 7 and generates an electronic signal representative of the intensity of X-rays backscattered by each scattering event. Signal processor 8 analyses the signal intensity and time domain data to determine the range of the scattering event from the apparatus. The imaging device 9 displays an output image of the spatially resolved density profile of the object. 5 concealed behind a bather 4. The use of a laser wakefield generated electron beam allows X-ray backscatter imaging across an increased stand-off range or greater penetrative depth.