Systems and methods for use in authenticating an object

A system for use in interrogating a radio-frequency identification tag coupled to an object, said system comprising:

• a backscatter x-ray source configured to discharge backscatter x-ray beams towards the object, said backscatter x-ray source calibrated such that the backscatter x-ray beams cause the radio-frequency identification tag to emit a signal;
• a radio-frequency detector configured to receive the signal from the radio-frequency identification tag;
• and
• a computing device in communication with said radio-frequency detector, said computing device configured to:
• obtain first identifying information of the object from the signal;
• and
• authenticate the object from the first identifying information.

A method of authenticating an object having a radio-frequency identification tag coupled thereto, said method comprising

• discharging backscatter x-ray beams towards the object, wherein the backscatter x-ray beams cause the radio-frequency identification tag to emit a signal;
• receiving the signal from the radio-frequency identification tag;
• obtaining first identifying information for the object from the signal;
• and
• authenticating the object from the first identifying information.