Atmospheric ray tomography for low-Z materials: implementing new methods on a proof-of-concept tomograph

TL;DR

This paper introduces new methods and a proof-of-concept atmospheric ray tomography system that enhances detection and discrimination of low-Z materials using cosmic ray-induced particles, with promising applications in security and industry.

Contribution

It presents Particle Track Filtering and Multi-Modality Tomographic Reconstruction methods, optimized system parameters, and demonstrates improved resolution and material discrimination capabilities.

Findings

Achieved 120 μm spatial resolution and 1 mrad angular resolution.

Successfully separated logical volumes of different materials.

Validated system performance with simulations and measurements.

Abstract

Cosmic rays interacting with the atmosphere result in a flux of secondary particles including muons and electrons. Atmospheric ray tomography (ART) uses the muons and electrons for detecting objects and their composition. This paper presents new methods and a proof-of-concept tomography system developed for the ART of low-Z materials. We introduce the Particle Track Filtering (PTF) and Multi-Modality Tomographic Reconstruction (MMTR) methods. Based on Geant4 models we optimized the tomography system, the parameters of PTF and MMTR. Based on plastic scintillating fiber arrays we achieved the spatial resolution 120 $\mu$m and 1 mrad angular resolution in the track reconstruction. We developed a novel edge detection method to separate the logical volumes of scanned object. We show its effectiveness on single (e.g. water, aluminum) and double material (e.g. explosive RDX in flesh) objects. The tabletop tomograph we built showed excellent agreement between simulations and measurements. We are able to increase the discriminating power of ART on low-Z materials significantly. This work opens up new routes for the commercialization of ART tomography.