The invention concerns radiographic equipment. The equipment includes a
source of substantially mono-energetic fast neutrons produced via the
deuterium-tritium or deuterium-deuterium fusion reactions, comprising a
sealed-tube or similar generator for producing the neutrons. The
equipment further includes a source of X-rays or gamma-rays of sufficient
energy to substantially penetrate an object to be imaged and a
collimating block surrounding the neutron and gamma-ray sources, apart
from the provision of one or more slots emitting substantially fan-shaped
radiation beams. Further included is a detector array comprising a
multiplicity of individual scintillator pixels to receive radiation
energy from the sources and convert the received energy into light
pulses, the detector array aligned with the fan-shaped beams emitted from
the source collimator and collimated to substantially prevent radiation
other than that directly transmitted from the sources reaching the array.
Conversion means are included for converting the light pulses produced in
the scintillators into electrical signals. Conveying means are included
for conveying an object between the sources and the detector array.
Computing means are included for determining from the electrical signals
the attenuation of the neutrons and the X-ray or gamma-ray beams and to
generate output representing the mass distribution and composition of the
object interposed between the source and detector array. The equipment
further includes a display means for displaying images based on the mass
distribution and the composition of the object being scanned.