Development of a high resolution, portable x-ray imager for security applications

Abstract

Varian developed a portable 40 cm x 30 cm, active area, x-ray imager with 127 mum pixels. The imager is ruggedized i.e. can withstand drops from tabletop-to-hard surface, without breaking the imaging glass substrate or damaging the electronics inside. Moreover, it is rain water sealed for use in any open environment. The imager is powered from a rechargeable and replaceable battery, for more than 1 and 1/2 hours continuous use, or from line power (110 - 240 V AC). It also works from any car battery (12 -24 V DC) with a cigarette lighter adapter. Both the power line and the car battery adapter, charge the imager's internal battery. The imager has a Gigabit Ethernet Interface, which makes it easy to transfer and to view the x-ray images immediately on a laptop computer that can be a distance away, of up to 100 m. The imager can work in a cine or fluoroscopic mode at frame rates of up to 30 fr/s. It can also operate in radiographic or single shot mode. A special, Autorad mode has also been developed, where the imager is always on, but only starts transferring images (or catching a single image) when x-rays strike the imager.