Cargo Screening

The screening of containers and trucks is increasingly important for the control of illegal substances, immigration, import control and counter-terrorism.  e2v's products are already in gantry, mobile and portal x-ray cargo and vehicle inspection systems at major seaports and border crossings worldwide.

Designed and manufactured in the UK, e2v’s magnetrons, thyratrons and solid-state modulators generate high power microwave pulses which accelerate electrons to a speed close to that of light. These highly energetic electrons are directed to a target where much of their energy is converted to X-rays. The X-ray pulses then pass through cargo containers and vehicles to allow the generation of high quality images.

e2v understands the changing needs of X-ray inspection and has introduced a new range of magnetrons and solid-state modulators to meet those requirements:

• Our next generation S-band magnetrons provide dual energy switching of the X-ray source over a wider range of switched output power levels. This has the advantage of improving image quality with the ability to discriminate subtle differences in density, shape and outline of specific materials. Higher mean power and higher pulse petition rates allow faster scanning.

• The new solid-state modulator system is compact and modular to ensure that on-site parts replacement is easy and quick. The modulator system has the exact drive characteristics to provide optimum magnetron performance. It has on-board diagnostics and the capability to monitor system performance remotely. Service organisations will use this facility to carry out targeted preventative maintenance.

With a strong history and technical background in the design, development, and manufacture of electron devices and experience of working with high performance sub-systems, e2v can offer testing and integration of the RF chain. This ensures that products work together to improve performance and stability of the X-ray source.

Please follow the 'Related Products' links to the products we offer for this application.