X-ray inspection system and method

摘要

The present specification discloses an X-ray system for processing X-ray data to determine an identity of an object under inspection. The X-ray system includes an X-ray source for transmitting X-rays, where the X-rays have a range of energies, through the object, a detector array for detecting the transmitted X-rays, where each detector outputs a signal proportional to an amount of energy deposited at the detector by a detected X-ray, and at least one processor that reconstructs an image from the signal, where each pixel within the image represents an associated mass attenuation coefficient of the object under inspection at a specific point in space and for a specific energy level, fits each of pixel to a function to determine the mass attenuation coefficient of the object under inspection at the point in space; and uses the function to determine the identity of the object under inspection.

主权项

1. A method for processing X-ray data to determine an identity of an object, comprising a material, under inspection, comprising:
transmitting an X-ray beam from an energy source, having energy levels ranging from 10 keV to at least 200 keV, through the object; detecting said transmitted X-ray beam at a detector array, wherein said detector array is configured to output signals proportional to a spectrum of energy transmitted through the object, wherein said detector array has at least four energy bins and wherein each energy bin comprises a range of energy levels; reconstructing a plurality of images from said signals, wherein at least one image is reconstructed for each energy bin defined by the detector array and wherein each pixel within each of said plurality of images is associated with a mass attenuation coefficient of the object under inspection at a specific point in space and for said one energy bin; and for a given pixel, determining a mass attenuation coefficient associated with said pixel in each of the plurality of images to yield a plurality of mass attenuation coefficients, mapping said plurality of mass attenuation coefficients against values of energy associated with each of the plurality of images, generating a graphical curve indicative of the mass attenuation coefficients of the material located at said pixel across said values of energy, acquiring from a database graphical curves indicative of mass attenuation coefficients of known materials across said values of energy, and comparing the generated graphical curve to the acquired graphical curves to determine an identity of said material and of the object.