Integrated Primary and Special Nuclear Material Alarm Resolution

A method for inspecting an object using an inspection system comprising the steps of:

• conducting a first scan wherein said first scan causes a fan beam of radiation to be transmitted through the object, detecting transmitted radiation using at least one detector array, an conducting, via a processing system, a first analysis of transmitted radiation data to determine a presence of high-density and high atomic number materials;
• determining whether to conduct a second scan based upon said first analysis;
• repositioning at least a portion of the inspection system relative to a detected location of at least one suspect area;
• performing a stationary irradiation of said at least one suspect area;
• measuring radiation signatures;
• and
• analyzing the measured radiation signatures to clear or confirm the presence of high-density and high atomic number materials in the at least one suspect area.

A method for inspecting an object using radiation comprising:

• generating and transmitting radiation produced by a source;
• collimating said radiation, using a vertical collimator, to produce a fan-beam of radiation;
• detecting a portion of transmitted radiation passing through said object, using a first detector array;
• detecting fission signatures using a second detector array;
• moving the object relative to the detection system, using a conveyor mechanism;
• analyzing scan data and issuing a high-Z alarm where a high-Z material is present, using a processor;
• repositioning at least a portion of the inspection system relative to a detected location of at least one suspect area;
• performing a secondary stationary irradiation of said at least one suspect area;
• measuring fission signatures;
• and
• analyzing the measured fission signatures to clear or confirm the presence of high-Z materials, using a processor.