Baggage inspection system.
Aviation Week & Space Technology.- 1996 .- 144, № 6 .- P. 92,93.
Baggage screening system
The Quantum Magnetics company (USA) is preparing to test in London the QSCAN-1000 air passenger baggage screening system, which was first tested at Los Angeles International Airport at the end of 1995
The system, designed to detect explosives, is based on the quadrupole resonance (QR) method, similar to the magnetic quadrupole resonance method used in medical institutions to obtain images of malignant tumors. But the company's specialists decided to change this method, eliminating the use of magnets.
In the QSCAN-1000a short pulse of low-frequency energy (0.1-10 MHz range) is directed at the inspected baggage items. The main challenge in developing this system was to determine the correct combination of pulse duration and repetition rate, their phase and frequency. The nuclei of the substances contained in the inspected baggage items absorb or reflect the pulses at the same frequency. The very weak signal induced by this is received by the receiver and analyzed to detect signatures characteristic of the two main components of combat explosives. Many different types of explosives are known, but they all contain RDX or PETN, or both, and a large amount of nitrogen.
Instead of forming an image that must be interpreted by an operator, the QSCAN-1000simply signals whether the inspected baggage item has been cleared or detained. During testing in Los Angeles, the system was combined with the Linescan 231 X-ray television system from EG&G Astrophysics. The QSCAN-1000 system signals were integrated with the image on the X-ray system display. The two companies have reached an agreement under which the QSCAN-1000 system will be supplied as an addition to X-ray baggage inspection systems.
The QSCAN-1000 Systemcan detect explosives weighing less than 1 kg in airline passenger baggage, even if the explosive is in sheets or distributed in separate portions. The method used in the system allows for the simultaneous monitoring of the presence of two or three substances. This system can be easily adapted for drug detection. The QSCAN-1000 method has successfully detected the presence of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines in airline passenger baggage. When used for drug detection, the QSCAN-1000 systemdetects signatures of chemicals containing chlorine.
Quantum Magnetics intends to improve the QSCAN-1000 system by using improved software without changing the hardware.
Linescan 231 system, supplemented by the QSCAN-1000 system, screened domestic passenger baggage at Los Angeles Terminal 7 for a week. There were four false positives for explosives when none were present. The screening was performed only for PTEN. About 4,000 pieces of baggage were screened between November 14 and 21, 1995. The false positive rate was expected to be about 1%, but it actually was 0.1%.
The vice president of security at United Airlines believes that the baggage screening system, which does not require operator interpretation of images, is promising because it reduces the human factor. In his opinion, the system works quite effectively, performing the functions for which it is intended.
Quantum Magnetics developed the QSCAN-1000 system in close cooperation with the United Airlines and took into account the wishes of simplifying the inspection operations. This cooperation continues in preparation for the system's trials at London's Heathrow Airport. There, the system will be tested for RDX and PETN detection. However, with the existing technology, it is necessary to use X-ray systems with displays to detect contraband, such as weapons that may be hidden in luggage. This is required for a comprehensive inspection of luggage.
Following the Heathrow trials, the stand-alone QSCAN-1000 system will be tested at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Technical Center near Atlantic City for a more complete evaluation. A production prototype will be delivered for the trials, which are scheduled for March 1996. Typical items of airline passenger baggage will be used for the check.