EP1859454B1 - Collimateur presentant une distance focale ajustable - Google Patents

Collimateur presentant une distance focale ajustable Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1859454B1
EP1859454B1 EP06723364A EP06723364A EP1859454B1 EP 1859454 B1 EP1859454 B1 EP 1859454B1 EP 06723364 A EP06723364 A EP 06723364A EP 06723364 A EP06723364 A EP 06723364A EP 1859454 B1 EP1859454 B1 EP 1859454B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
collimator
conical
focal length
radiation
ray
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP06723364A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1859454A2 (fr
Inventor
Martin Hartick
Norbert Haunschild
Andreas Streyl
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Smiths Heimann GmbH
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Smiths Heimann GmbH
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Publication of EP1859454A2 publication Critical patent/EP1859454A2/fr
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21K—TECHNIQUES FOR HANDLING PARTICLES OR IONISING RADIATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; IRRADIATION DEVICES; GAMMA RAY OR X-RAY MICROSCOPES
    • G21K1/00—Arrangements for handling particles or ionising radiation, e.g. focusing or moderating
    • G21K1/02—Arrangements for handling particles or ionising radiation, e.g. focusing or moderating using diaphragms, collimators
    • G21K1/04—Arrangements for handling particles or ionising radiation, e.g. focusing or moderating using diaphragms, collimators using variable diaphragms, shutters, choppers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a collimator for X-radiation, in particular in X-ray inspection systems.
  • X-ray inspection methods are used in particular for the detection of critical substances and objects in pieces of baggage or other cargo.
  • multistage systems whose first stage is based on the absorption of X-rays.
  • a second stage is used, which is selectively fed to objects from the first stage.
  • the second stage uses systems whose operating principle is based on diffraction phenomena.
  • the diffraction angle in which an incident X-ray beam is deflected, depends on the atomic lattice spacing of the material to be examined and on the energy and thus the wavelength of the incident radiation.
  • the sharply delimited X-ray beam used for the examination the so-called needle beam
  • the so-called needle beam has an energy spectrum which is known, for example, from measurements. From the Bragg equation it follows that the incident radiation diffracted at any point at an angle that depends on the energy of the radiation. Radiation with an energy spectrum is therefore diffracted in an angular range, while the diffraction is rotationally symmetrical about the incident needle beam. In an X-ray inspection, it is desirable to detect only diffracted radiation at a certain angle. This is also achieved through the use of a collimator.
  • the passband of the collimator essentially corresponds to the lateral surface of a cone whose tip coincides with the point whose diffraction properties are to be investigated. To examine an area within an object, a plurality of points must be focused.
  • a collimator which has a plurality of parallel openings of the same opening angle and with which therefore several points can be focused simultaneously on the axis of rotation.
  • the use of a non-segmented detector which is not spatially resolving and therefore provides a common output for all focused points has the disadvantage that the evaluation and the unambiguous assignment of the detected radiation to a diffraction point are difficult.
  • a segmented detector which is divided, for example, in separately evaluable circular rings, this disadvantage does not occur, but such a detector is complicated and expensive.
  • a collimator of the generic type which has an outer part with a conical inner surface and an inner part with a conical outer surface. Outer and inner parts are firmly spaced together.
  • a collimator for X-radiation which has a conically diverging round slot, from which a predetermined angle is reproduced.
  • the round slot is aligned with an X-ray sensitive, collimator-facing surface of a detector.
  • collimators with tapered circular slots which are bounded by a conical outer surface and a conical inner surface, are from the US 4,825,454 A and from the EP 0 811 911 A1 known.
  • a collimator according to the invention consists of an outer part, since it can simultaneously assume the function of a housing, with a conical inner surface and an inner part with a conical outer surface. These two parts are firmly connected at some distance, leaving a gap between them results.
  • this gap is at least one movably arranged hollow cone, which is also referred to as a cone sliding part.
  • the diffraction spectrum detected at a certain angle can be compared with the spectrum of the needle beam. It follows from the Bragg equation that a diffraction spectrum recorded at a different angle is shifted from the first one. Therefore, the identification is simplified if each measurement is performed at the same opening angle. A constant detection angle of the collimator is achieved in that all conical surfaces have the same opening angle.
  • Different detection angles depending on the set focal length can be achieved by different opening angles of the conical surfaces. It is advantageous if always two adjacent conical surfaces have the same opening angle. Due to this pairwise adaptation, the conical surfaces lie over a large area, which leads to a high radiation absorption of the collimator.
  • the adjustment of the focal length is achieved in that the at least one cone sliding part along the axis of rotation is movable. As a result, the focus of the collimator can be adjusted by a simple translational movement of the cone sliding part in one direction.
  • the adaptation of the focal length of the collimator and thus of the focused point in the examination subject thus occurs in that the at least one cone sliding part is displaced along the axis of rotation until the desired focal length is reached, wherein when using multiple sliding cones this independently can be moved from each other.
  • the cone sliding part or the cone sliding parts should always be positioned so that the collimator has only one opening gap. If all the conical surfaces are arranged concentrically around a common axis of rotation and adjacent surfaces each have the same opening angle, the surfaces conform to each other over their entire height. Except in the range of the set gap, the entire collimator appears as a compact unit and allows maximum shielding of the unwanted X-ray radiation.
  • the fact that the individual cone sliding parts can be moved independently, so a single gap can be generated at different positions. This allows as many possible focal lengths. For a number of n cone sliding parts, there are n + 1 possible gaps.
  • the collimator can be held in a fixed position and focus by focusing on the cone sliding part or the cone sliding parts several points in an object to be examined.
  • the travel can be reduced by switching the focal length after the travel of a distance through the collimator, and by moving the collimator along the same path to another examined area.
  • the maximum required travel of the collimator according to the invention compared to a non-adjustable collimator can be reduced by a factor that corresponds to the number of adjustable focal lengths, in a collimator with two focal lengths so by half.
  • the collimator according to the invention consists essentially of the outer part 1 and the inner part 2. These are arranged concentrically about a rotation axis 4.
  • the collimator has a cone sliding part, in FIG. 2 there are two cone sliding parts.
  • Such collimators are used in particular in X-ray inspection systems, especially in higher stages of multi-stage testing systems.
  • FIG. 1a is cone sliding part 3 in an end position in which it rests against the inner part 2. This results in a passage gap for the radiation between cone sliding part 3 and outer part 1.
  • the collimator filters out all radiation that is not diffracted at a point with distance d 1 from the collimator at the angle ⁇ .
  • FIG. 1b is the cone sliding part 3 on the outer part 1 at. This results in a passage gap between cone sliding part 3 and inner part 2.
  • the opening angle ⁇ of the collimator remains unchanged, but in this position, a point at the distance d 2 is focused by the collimator. It will be readily apparent that by switching the position of the cone sliding part 3, the area focused in moving the collimator is varied. This means that with a fixed area to be examined, the travel of the collimator is reduced. In extreme cases, this saving is half the extent of the area to be examined.
  • the collimator again consists of an outer part 1 and an inner part 2, but has two independently movable cone sliding parts 5 and 6.
  • the cone sliding part 5 is applied to the outer part 1 and the cone sliding part 6 on the inner part 2.
  • a focusing result again under the opening angle ⁇ to a point at a distance d. 3
  • the result already in the FIGS. 1a and 1b shown focal lengths d 1 and d 2 .
  • the focal length of the collimator according to the invention is adapted by displacing the at least one cone sliding part 3 along the axis of rotation 4 until the desired focal length is reached, wherein when using a plurality of cone sliding parts 5, 6 they can be moved independently of each other
  • the collimator with adjustable focal length according to the invention is part of an X-ray inspection system, which also has an X-ray source, an X-ray detector and an evaluation device for evaluating the detected radiation.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Analysing Materials By The Use Of Radiation (AREA)
  • Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)
  • Fuel-Injection Apparatus (AREA)

Claims (7)

  1. Collimateur pour rayons X, notamment dans les installations de contrôle à rayons X, caractérisé par une partie externe (1) avec une surface interne conique et une partie interne (2) avec une surface externe conique, qui sont reliées entre elles à une distance fixe, caractérisé par au moins une pièce coulissante conique (3) disposée de manière mobile entre les pièces interne (2) et externe (1).
  2. Collimateur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que toutes les surfaces coniques sont disposées concentriquement autour d'un axe de rotation (4) commun.
  3. Collimateur selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que toutes les surfaces coniques présentent le même angle d'ouverture α.
  4. Collimateur selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que deux surfaces coniques voisines présentent toujours le même angle d'ouverture.
  5. Collimateur selon une des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que cette au moins une pièce coulissante en cône (3, 4, 5) peut se déplacer dans la direction de l'axe de rotation (4).
  6. Procédé pour adapter la distance focale d'un collimateur selon une des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que cette au moins une pièce coulissante en cône (3, 5, 6) est déplacée le long de l'axe de rotation (4) jusqu'à ce que la distance focale souhaitée soit atteinte, l'utilisation de plusieurs pièces coulissantes en cône (5, 6) permettant de déplacer celles-ci indépendamment les unes des autres.
  7. Installation de contrôle à rayons X, caractérisée par une source de rayons X, un collimateur présentant une distance focale ajustable selon une des revendications 1 à 5, un détecteur de rayons X ainsi qu'un dispositif de traitement pour le traitement du rayonnement détecté.
EP06723364A 2005-03-12 2006-03-10 Collimateur presentant une distance focale ajustable Active EP1859454B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102005011467A DE102005011467B4 (de) 2005-03-12 2005-03-12 Kollimator mit einstellbarer Brennweite, hierauf gerichtetes Verfahren sowie Röntgenprüfanlage
PCT/EP2006/002252 WO2006097254A2 (fr) 2005-03-12 2006-03-10 Collimateur presentant une distance focale ajustable

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1859454A2 EP1859454A2 (fr) 2007-11-28
EP1859454B1 true EP1859454B1 (fr) 2009-06-03

Family

ID=36914763

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06723364A Active EP1859454B1 (fr) 2005-03-12 2006-03-10 Collimateur presentant une distance focale ajustable

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US7436934B2 (fr)
EP (1) EP1859454B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE433188T1 (fr)
DE (2) DE102005011467B4 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006097254A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005016656A1 (de) * 2005-01-26 2006-08-10 Smiths Heimann Gmbh Kollimator mit einstellbarer Brennweite
DE102008055921B4 (de) * 2008-11-05 2010-11-11 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Modulierbarer Strahlenkollimator
JP6277186B2 (ja) * 2012-07-05 2018-02-07 アメリカン サイエンス アンド エンジニアリング, インコーポレイテッドAmerican Science and Engineering, Inc. 放射線ビーム生成システムおよび放射線ビーム照射方法
US9417340B2 (en) * 2012-07-06 2016-08-16 Morpho Detection, Llc Compact geometry CT system
CN104754848B (zh) * 2013-12-30 2017-12-08 同方威视技术股份有限公司 X射线发生装置以及具有该装置的x射线透视成像系统
JP6746691B2 (ja) 2015-09-10 2020-08-26 アメリカン サイエンス アンド エンジニアリング, インコーポレイテッドAmerican Science and Engineering, Inc. 行間適応電磁ｘ線走査を用いた後方散乱特性評価
US11193898B1 (en) 2020-06-01 2021-12-07 American Science And Engineering, Inc. Systems and methods for controlling image contrast in an X-ray system

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3197638A (en) * 1963-01-21 1965-07-27 Kenneth F Sinclair Backscatter flaw detection system
US3373286A (en) * 1964-09-18 1968-03-12 Industrial Nucleonics Corp Device for measuring the characteristics of a material moving on a conveyor with means for minimizing the effect of flutter
AT285756B (de) * 1969-02-20 1970-11-10 Otto Dipl Ing Dr Techn Kratky Blendenanordnung zur Begrenzung eines Röntgenstrahlenbündels
US4086494A (en) * 1976-12-17 1978-04-25 Malak Stephen P Radiation collimator for use with high energy radiation beams
FI64722C (fi) * 1982-07-08 1983-12-12 Instrumentarium Oy Roentgenstraolkollimator
US4809312A (en) * 1986-07-22 1989-02-28 American Science And Engineering, Inc. Method and apparatus for producing tomographic images
US4825454A (en) * 1987-12-28 1989-04-25 American Science And Engineering, Inc. Tomographic imaging with concentric conical collimator
DE3909147A1 (de) * 1988-09-22 1990-09-27 Philips Patentverwaltung Anordnung zur messung des impulsuebertrages
DE4137242A1 (de) * 1991-11-13 1993-05-19 Philips Patentverwaltung Kollimator zum ausblenden von roentgenstrahlung
IL118496A0 (en) * 1996-05-30 1996-09-12 Ein Gal Moshe Collimators
DE19954661C2 (de) * 1999-11-13 2001-12-06 Heimann Systems Gmbh & Co Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Justage eines Kollimators
DE19954663B4 (de) * 1999-11-13 2006-06-08 Smiths Heimann Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung eines Materials eines detektierten Gegenstandes
DE19954662B4 (de) * 1999-11-13 2004-06-03 Smiths Heimann Gmbh Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Detektieren von unzulässigen Reisegepäckgegenständen
US6542578B2 (en) * 1999-11-13 2003-04-01 Heimann Systems Gmbh Apparatus for determining the crystalline and polycrystalline materials of an item
DE10330521A1 (de) 2003-07-05 2005-02-10 Smiths Heimann Gmbh Gerät und Verfahren zur Überprüfung von Gegenständen
US7075073B1 (en) * 2004-05-21 2006-07-11 Kla-Tencor Technologies Corporation Angle resolved x-ray detection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2006097254A2 (fr) 2006-09-21
DE102005011467A1 (de) 2006-09-14
DE102005011467B4 (de) 2008-02-28
EP1859454A2 (fr) 2007-11-28
US7436934B2 (en) 2008-10-14
US20080089478A1 (en) 2008-04-17
DE502006003884D1 (de) 2009-07-16
WO2006097254A3 (fr) 2006-12-28
ATE433188T1 (de) 2009-06-15

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