XRD position paper

HALO, Quadridox, and Smiths Detection have published a position paper on X-ray diffraction (XRD) in aviation security.

In brief…

“X-ray diffraction (XRD) provides a 'fingerprint' of materials based on their atomic structure -- information that is fundamentally orthogonal to, and therefore complementary to, the density-based features of existing CT and transmission X-ray systems. Incorporating XRD into aviation security screening workflows offers the prospect of dramatically reducing false alarm rates, enabling definitive automated identification of explosive threats and narcotics that current technology cannot reliably distinguish from benign items, and supporting the next generation of self-service and automated screening architectures in hold-baggage and checkpoint scenarios. Regulators, agencies, and industry partners are urged to prioritize investment in XRD qualification, certification, and operational deployment — and to incorporate XRD into the technology roadmaps that will define the future of security screening.”

The full position paper is here.