X-Ray Radar Imaging Technique Using a 2 Mev Linear Electron Accelerator

X-ray radar imaging 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 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 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.