Lobster Eye X-Ray Imaging Underwater Scatterometer

Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a unique Lobster Eye X-ray Imaging Underwater Scatterometer (LEXIUS) to meet the Navy’s need for high-quality X-ray backscattering imaging/detection of buried mines. The proposed LEXIUS is based on unique POC lobster eye (LE) hard X-ray focusing optics. It will be compatible with the Navy’s small underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). LEXIUS can image buried objects through >5 in. of sediment by focusing and acquiring Compton backscattering photons simultaneously from an entire 2D large scene irradiated by a wide-open cone beam from an X-ray source in the range of 60 to 120 keV, at a rate >10 frames per second. Enhanced resolution, 25 enable LEXIUS to distinguish between armed and disarmed mines. LEXIUS can collect this vital information in real time, independently of ROV/AUV motion, and without posing hazards to Navy personnel. In Phase I POC developed a working prototype that demonstrated for the first time hard X-ray backscatter images of metal and nonmetal objects. In Phase II POC will develop an optimized fully operational underwater LEXIUS prototype, and will demonstrate at a Navy facility its capability to image mines buried in sediment.