Development and optimization of a backscatter X-ray detection system based on pencil beam scanning

The backscatter X-ray system makes an image by detecting scattered particles from an object in the opposite direction by Compton scattering. This system has the advantage of detecting drugs or explosives composed of organic substances. In this study, we developed a backscatter X-ray detection system. The 6-ch DAQ system is able to store acquired data for 50 mu s as 8 bytes and the 6-ch high voltage power supply board provides adjustable power from 0 to 1600 V. Using this detection system, we varied the tube voltage from 80 to 160 kV and observed backscatter X-ray images of two plastic phantoms at 160 kV. The results indicate a need to optimize the speed of the collimator and data acquisition time of the DAQ system to improve image quality. The backscatter X-ray imaging technology exhibits high scalability, making it applicable not only to security screening but also for medical and industrial purposes.