ASTM International

Standard Guide for Non-computed X-Ray Compton Scatter Tomography
 N E1931

Annotation

Purpose

This guide covers a tutorial introduction to familiarize the reader with the operational capabilities and limitations inherent in a single non-computed X-ray Compton Scatter Tomography (CST). Also included is a brief description of the physics and typical hardware configuration for CST. This single technique is still used for a small number of inspections. This is not meant as comprehensive guide covering the variety of Compton scattering techniques that are now used for non-destructive testing and security screen screening.

Advantages—X-ray Compton Scatter Tomography (CST) is a radiologic nondestructive examination method with several advantages that include:

The ability to perform X-ray examination without access to the opposite side of the examination object;

The X-ray beam need not completely penetrate the examination object allowing thick objects to be partially examined. Thick examination objects become part of the radiation shielding thereby reducing the radiation hazard;

The ability to examine and image object subsurface features with minimal influence from surface features;

The ability to obtain high-contrast images from low subject contrast materials that normally produce low-contrast images when using traditional transmitted beam X-ray imaging methods; and

The ability to obtain depth information of object features thereby providing a three-dimensional examination. The ability to obtain depth information presupposes the use of a highly collimated detector system having a narrow angle of acceptance.