Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles
available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Backscatter X-ray
is an advanced X-ray imaging technology. Traditional X-ray machines
detect hard and soft materials by the variation in transmission through
the target. In contrast, backscatter X-ray detects the radiation that
reflects from the target. It has potential applications where
less-destructive examination is required, and can be used if only one
side of the target is available for examination. The technology is one
of two types of whole body imaging technologies being used to perform
full-body scans of airline passengers to detect hidden weapons, tools,
liquids, narcotics, currency, and other contraband. A competing
technology is millimeter wave scanner. These airport security machines
are also referred to as "body scanner", "whole body imager", and
"security scanner".
