# US 2013/0153773 A1 · Method and apparatus to monitor a beam of ionizing radiation

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- Number: US 2013/0153773 A1
- Document ID: US20130153773A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/326,970
- Filed: 2011-12-15
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-15
- Assignees: Raytheon Company; U.S. Department of Energy
- Inventors: Brandon W. Blackburn; David L. Chichester; Scott M. Watson; James T. Johnson; Mathew T. Kinlaw
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153773A1

## CPC

- G01V 5/234: {Measuring induced radiation, e.g. thermal neutron activation analysis}
- G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02)

## Abstract

Methods and apparatus to capture images of fluorescence generated by ionizing radiation and determine a position of a beam of ionizing radiation generating the fluorescence from the captured images. In one embodiment, the fluorescence is the result of ionization and recombination of nitrogen in air.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method, comprising:
capturing images of fluorescence generated by a beam of ionizing radiation; and
determining a position of the beam of ionizing radiation generating the fluorescence from the captured images; and
using the captured images to steer the beam.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further including capturing the images of fluorescence in air.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein the fluorescence results from ionization and recombination of nitrogen molecules.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further including using an ultra violet camera to capture the images of fluorescence.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further including using an array of cameras to capture the images of fluorescence.

### Claim 6

A system, comprising:
an image acquisition system to capture images of fluorescence generated by a beam of ionizing radiation; and
a control module to determine a position of the beam of ionizing radiation generating the fluorescence from the captured images to steer the beam using the captured images.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The system according to claim 6, wherein the image acquisition system comprises at least one camera.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The system according to claim 6, wherein the system comprises an active interrogation system for interrogating an object of interest.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The system according to claim 6, wherein the image acquisition system captures recombination of Nitrogen molecules.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The system according to claim 6, wherein the image acquisition system captures ultra-violet light.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The system according to claim 6, wherein the image acquisition system operates in the solar blind region of the spectrum.

### Claim 12 (depends on 6)

The system according to claim 6, further including a beam source to interrogate an object of interest.

### Claim 13

A system, comprising:
a means for determining a position of a beam of ionizing radiation generating fluorescence from captured images of the fluorescence generated by the beam of ionizing radiation; and
a processing means to determine steering of the beam of ionizing radiation from the images.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system according to claim 13, further including a means for receiving images comprising an array of cameras.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The system according to claim 13, further including a means for generating the beam of ionizing radiation.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The system according to claim 13, further including a feedback means to steer the beam of ionizing radiation.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The system according to claim 13, wherein the fluorescence is generated by recombination of nitrogen molecules.