X-Ray Radar Imaging Technique Using a 2 Mev Linear Electron Accelerator
X-ray radar imaging, patented in 2013 by James R. Wood, combines standard radar techniques with the penetration power of x-rays to image scenes. Our project strives to demonstrate the technique using a 2 MeV linear electron accelerator (linac) to generate the S-band–modulated x-ray signals. X-ray detectors such as photodiodes and scintillators are used to detect the signals in backscatter and transmission detection schemes. The S-band microstructure is imposed on the variable-width electron pulse, and this modulation carries over to the bremsstrahlung x-rays after the electron beam is incident upon a copper-tungsten alloy target. Using phase/distance calculations and a low-jitter timing system, we expect to detect different object distances by comparing the measured phase differences. The experimental setup, which meets strict jitter requirements, and preliminary experimental results are presented.