MPGD pilot offer for air cargo inspection

1. MPGD pilot offer for air cargo inspection Marie-Pierre Vidonne TTN Meeting, December 9 2010

2. User requirements for homeland security • Key priorities for many countries around the world • Provide accurate imaging & composition information to enable operator to find contraband and explosives without unpacking • Efficient imaging detector over large areas (few m2) • Real-time inspection (<1-2 minutes per container ) • Radiation safety compliance • Reasonable costs • Ease of maintenance • New legislation in US TTN , December 9, 2010

3. Screening Technologies High energy X-ray or gamma ray : • 2D transmission image • Well suited for metallic objects • Difficult to distinguish organic materials • High operator skills required • for complex images TTN , December 9, 2010

4. Main X-Ray Cargo Equipment Suppliers • AS&E (American Science and Engineering, Inc ) - US • Astrophysics US • Control Screening (originally Philips) US • L-3 (US) • Morpho Detection (a subsidiary of SAFRAN Group and GE Company) • Rapiscan (US) • Smiths Detection (US + UK) • Not exhaustive list. Other european suppliers ? TTN , December 9, 2010

5. “There is some promising technology, but it is taking far too long to move from the laboratory to the airport. We must speed up the process.” Giovanni Bisignani, Head of IATA. October 2010 TTN , December 9, 2010

6. Fast Neutron + Gamma Ray radiography (FNGR) for cargo scanners • Developed since 2002 by B. Sowerby for the australian customs • Neutrons interact with matter in a manner complementary to X ray • Each material has a specific mass attenuation coefficient R TTN , December 9, 2010

7. Comparison of X ray and combined neutron/X-Ray scans From the radiographic images and the calculated R values, form a 2D composite image showing average density and composition TTN , December 9, 2010

8. Product development history TTN , December 9, 2010

9. Reference scanner developed in 2006 Gamma Rays • Typical scan time ~few hours From left-to-right assorted computer equipment, heavy steel industrial items, mixed boxes of food stuffs and bottles and boxes containing office files and papers. Gamma Rays + neutrons TTN , December 9, 2010

10. Neutron and gamma sources • 14 MeV neutrons generator • Deuterium Titrium DT sealed neutron tube • 15 109 neutrons/s, 2000h lifetime • gamma: • 3-6 MeV dual energy LINAC, 1 pulse/ 4ms • Primary output: gamma 3 MeV+ neutrons -> shape, density , composition • Secondary output: gamma 6 MeV ->maximum penetration • Both are available as commercial systems !! TTN , December 9, 2010

11. Neutron and Gamma Detectors • Neutrons: • 704 plastic scintillators : 20mmx20 mm x75mm– • 1000 counts /s • Gamma: • 352 CsI(Tl) scintillators- • 5 mm ×5 mm x50 mm X-ray • 100000 counts /s TTN , December 9, 2010

12. 2009: Commercial scanner provided by Nuctech Binocular stereoscopic imaging to separate images into multiple layers to aid operators V= 1-2 m/s TTN , December 9, 2010

13. Patents Fast neutrons + X rays sources + Detectors : scintillators TTN , December 9, 2010

14. Elements of a common technology offer for air cargo screening TTN: Industry partners: Market knowledge Device specifications Neutron, gamma source Integration and Housing • Technologies : • Large area gaseous detectors with appropriate converters for neutrons and gammas • Standard multi channel readout electronics systems • Image reconstruction • Expertise: • Conceptual design, prototyping, integration and testing of detector modules • Operation of large area detector modules • Laboratory infrastructure • Image reconstruction • Patents: • GEM, Micromegas TTN , December 9, 2010

15. Next steps • Consolidation of concept of large area gaseous detectors with appropriate converters for neutrons and gammas: • Converters to be confirmed with RD51 experts • Combination of neutron and gamma converters might need a small demonstrator (project ?): • Scope • Resources • Funding • Selected contacts with industry TTN , December 9, 2010

16. Thank you for your attention