The non-invasive inspection of baggage using coherent X-ray scattering

An inspection technique based on angular dispersive X-ray diffraction (ADXRD) has been developed to provide chemically specific detection of explosives for security screening applications. The technique identifies explosives from benign materials using the characteristic Bragg features seen in coherently scattered X-rays. To implement this technique in a prototype screening system, a detector has been designed which, when coupled with the appropriate analysis algorithm, provides chemically specific material identification.