Development of marijuana and tobacco detectors using potassium-40 gamma-ray emissions

John A. Kirby; Roy P. Lindquist

doi:10.1117/12.189186

6 October 1994 Development of marijuana and tobacco detectors using potassium-40 gamma-ray emissions

John A. Kirby, Roy P. Lindquist

Proceedings Volume 2276, Cargo Inspection Technologies; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.189186
Event: SPIE's 1994 International Symposium on Optics, Imaging, and Instrumentation, 1994, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Measurements were made at the Otay Mesa, CA, border crossing between November 30 and December 4, 1992, to demonstrate proof of concept and the practicality of using potassium 40 (K40) gamma emissions to detect the presence of marijuana in vehicles. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory personnel, with the assistance of the EPA, set up three large volume gamma ray detectors with lead brick shielding and collimation under a stationary trailer and pickup truck. Measurements were performed for various positions and quantities of marijuana. Also, small quantities of marijuana, cigarettes, and other materials were subjected to gamma counting measurements under controlled geometry conditions to determine their K40 concentration. Larger quantities of heroin and cocaine were subjected to undefined geometry gamma counts for significant K40 gamma emissions.

Citation Download Citation

John A. Kirby and Roy P. Lindquist "Development of marijuana and tobacco detectors using potassium-40 gamma-ray emissions", Proc. SPIE 2276, Cargo Inspection Technologies, (6 October 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.189186

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