Ionic Scanners: Detecting Airport Threats And Contraband

Airport security systems use a variety of machines and methods to ensure the safety of passengers. These include metal detectors, X-ray machines, and Ion Mobility Spectrometry, which detect potential threats. Some security devices use ionizing radiation to scan luggage and people, while others use non-ionizing radiation. The ionization process has a lot of energy for emitting radiation, and the amount of radiation depends on the type of machine. Backscatter X-ray machines, for example, use very low-energy X-rays that reflect back to the machine itself. They are designed to detect metallic and non-metallic threat items, such as weapons, explosives, and drugs.

Metallic and non-metallic objects

Metal detectors are commonly used at airports to detect metallic objects on passengers. These include weapons such as guns, knives, and scissors. Metal detectors use non-ionizing radiation to scan travellers and ensure they are not carrying any hidden items.

Non-metallic objects, on the other hand, are materials that do not contain metal. These materials are often synthetic or natural and are known for their unique chemical properties. Non-metallic materials are good insulators as they do not conduct heat or electricity well. They are also lightweight, cost-effective, and corrosion-resistant. Examples of non-metallic materials include plastics, which are commonly used in manufacturing due to their affordability and rapid production.

Airport scanners, such as X-ray machines and backscatter machines, can detect both metallic and non-metallic objects. These scanners use X-rays to penetrate objects and create simulated images on a screen. The X-rays are emitted from the scanner and captured by detectors on the opposite side. When prohibited items are detected, they are highlighted with predefined colours to alert security personnel.

Additionally, Ion Mobility Spectrometry is used to detect illegal drugs and explosives. This technique measures the X-ray intensity after transmission through a sample and compares it to a database of acceptable colours. If the output does not match any of the colours in the database, authorities are alerted.

Drugs and explosives

Airport security systems use a variety of methods to detect drugs and explosives, including metal detectors, backscatter X-ray machines, millimeter wave scanners, and cabinet X-ray machines.

Metal Detectors

Metal detectors use non-ionizing radiation to scan for hidden items on passengers. They can detect metallic objects by creating an alternating current that induces a varying magnetic field in a coil. If a metallic object is nearby, 'eddy currents' are produced in the object, allowing it to be detected.

Backscatter X-ray Machines

Backscatter X-ray machines are used to detect threats such as weapons or explosives hidden under clothing. They use very low-energy X-rays that are reflected back to the machine itself. The amount of radiation received from these machines is considered safe and is equivalent to the cosmic radiation experienced during two minutes of flight.

Millimeter Wave Scanners

Millimeter wave scanners are another important piece of security equipment. They use non-ionizing radiofrequency waves, which are reflected off the body and back to the machine. These scanners can detect hidden threats like guns and knives, and they emit far less energy than a cell phone.

Cabinet X-ray Machines

Cabinet X-ray machines, also known as luggage scanners, are used to scan checked and carry-on luggage for prohibited items. They emit X-rays that penetrate the luggage and are captured by detectors on the opposite side. The detectors then convert the X-rays into signals, creating simulated images that help identify suspicious items.

Ion Mobility Spectrometry

Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) is a technique used specifically for the detection of explosives. It involves ionizing the particles of a sample in its gaseous phase and measuring their 'ion mobility,' which is the ratio of the ion's drift velocity to the electric field due to the ionic charge.

Mass Spectrometry

Mass Spectrometry (MS) technology is considered the "Gold Standard" for high-consequence analyses and is used in machines like The Guardian, developed by Syagen Technology. It can detect 16 explosive compounds with 10-100 times more sensitivity than IMS and can also perform shoe bomb detection without requiring shoe removal.

Visual Inspection

While not a dedicated scanning technology, visual inspection of scanner images plays a crucial role in drug and explosive detection. Security personnel are trained to interpret these images and identify anomalies that could indicate the presence of prohibited substances or items.

In summary, airport security employs a combination of advanced technologies and human expertise to effectively detect drugs and explosives, ensuring the safety of passengers and preventing illegal activities.

Inorganic substances

Airport security systems use a variety of machines and methods to ensure the safety of passengers. These include metal detectors, X-ray machines, and Ion Mobility Spectrometry, which are all used to detect potential threats.

Ion Mobility Spectrometry is a method that uses the measurement of X-ray intensity after transmission through a sample to detect illegal drugs and explosives. This method relies on a database of acceptable colours, and if the output does not match any of these colours, the authorities are alerted.

X-ray machines are the most common type of airport scanner. They operate by emitting X-rays that penetrate through luggage and are captured by detectors on the opposite side. The detectors then convert the X-rays into signals, which are transmitted to a processing unit that displays the information as images on a screen. The X-ray images can detect the smallest amounts of metal and paper. They can also provide visual clues about drugs hidden in baggage or under clothing.

Millimetre wave scanners are another type of scanner that uses non-ionizing radiofrequency waves to detect threats. These machines are safe and emit far less energy than a cell phone. They can detect a wide range of metallic and non-metallic threats, including guns and knives. If no threats are detected, the screen turns green and shows an “OK.”.

Backscatter X-ray machines are also used to detect hidden objects and threats such as weapons or explosives that a person could be carrying under their clothing. These machines use very low-energy X-rays that are reflected back to the machine itself.

In summary, airport scanners can detect inorganic substances through the use of X-ray machines, millimetre wave scanners, and Ion Mobility Spectrometry. These methods help to ensure the safety of passengers by identifying potential threats and prohibited items.

Biological products

Airport scanners use a combination of technologies to detect biological products. X-ray machines are the most common type of scanner, and they work by emitting X-rays that penetrate through luggage and create an image on a scanner screen. Objects that are prohibited, such as drugs, explosives, inorganic substances, and weapons, are highlighted in predefined colours to help security personnel quickly identify them.

The X-ray images of biological products, such as weed, are shown in orange. Other biological products that are illegal to carry, such as narcotics, will also be detected by X-ray machines and flagged by security.

Some airport scanners use ionizing radiation to detect objects in luggage and on passengers. Ionizing radiation has enough energy to remove electrons from atoms, a process known as ionization. The potential for ionizing radiation to cause damage depends on the dose. At low doses, radiation causes biological damage, but cells can repair this damage rapidly. At moderate doses, cells can be permanently changed and may become cancerous or lead to other abnormalities. However, the doses of ionizing radiation emitted by backscatter X-ray scans are very low, and the risk of health effects is considered trivial by the TSA.

Millimeter wave scanners are another type of airport scanner that uses non-ionizing radiation to detect objects. These machines emit low-energy waves that are reflected off the body or luggage and back to the machine. Millimeter wave scanners can detect a wide range of metallic and non-metallic objects, including weapons and explosives. They emit far less energy than a cell phone and are considered safe for use in airports.

Money

Airport scanners are not specifically designed to detect cash, but they can often do so. Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scanners create detailed images of a passenger's body to detect concealed items. While these scanners are not meant to find money, they may reveal unusual bulges or shapes that indicate the presence of large sums of cash, prompting further inspection.

X-ray scanners, on the other hand, can detect paper and are likely to identify large amounts of money due to their distinctive appearance on the scans. Additionally, if the currency is bundled or stacked, it becomes more easily detectable by X-ray machines.

Metal detectors are another security measure at airports, and while cash itself is not metallic, accompanying items like money clips or wallet linings may contain metal, triggering these detectors.

It is important to note that many countries have regulations regarding the transportation of large amounts of cash across borders. For example, in the United States, travelers must declare amounts exceeding $10,000. Failure to do so can result in seizure and potential legal consequences. Therefore, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the relevant laws and regulations before traveling with significant amounts of money.

Frequently asked questions