Predicting the Utility of Non-Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering (NRIXS) for Standoff Explosives Detection
Abstract
The research reported here was a component of a three-year program at the University of Washington to improve fundamental knowledge that is important for developing new technologies and approaches to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The focus of our component was to develop methods for identifying explosive materials using X-ray spectroscopy. All chemical explosives store energy in specific, high-energy chemical bonds. Detecting and classifying explosives is a matter of analyzing the structure of these bonds by some method, either direct or indirect. One direct method is to measure the X-ray emission spectrum of the relevant elements involved in the chemical bonds, such as nitrogen or oxygen in a typical explosive. A complementary technique is provided by a particular type of non-resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (NRIXS). To investigate the feasibility of using NRIXS to detect and identify explosives, we have attempted to predict the signal to noise from NRIXS for typical applications. To achieve this, a new Atomic Inelastic X-ray Scatter (AXIS) computer code was developed, tested, and its accuracy verified by synchrotron and laboratory measurements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA515364
Entities
People
- Gerald T. Seidler
- Ken Nagel
- Linda Buck
- Tim Fister
- W. T. Elam
Organizations
- University of Washington