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L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems (SDS) has developed a new system for automated alarm resolution in airline baggage Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) based on coherent x-ray scattering spectroscopy. The capabilities of the system were demonstrated in tests with concealed explosives at the Transportation Security Laboratory and airline passenger baggage at Orlando International Airport. The system uses x-ray image information to identify suspicious objects and performs targeted diffraction measurements to classify them. This extra layer of detection capability affords a significant reduction in the rate of false alarm objects that must presently be resolved by opening passenger bags for hand inspection.

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Abstmet-Using high-speed movies of vacuum arcs between spiral contacts in conjunction with floating arc shields, the arc voltage, current and contact travel have been correlated with arc behaviors. These arc behaviors can be described by arc appearance diagrams in gapcurrent space. These allow the waveforms from high-power tests on spiral-contact vacuum interrupters to be evaluated for information on the internal arcing behavior and arc-induced damage. We have found that arc voltage traces can be examined during interruption testing to help in judging the probability that a vacuum interrupter will continue to pass additional interruption trials. The arc voltage also reveals signs of damage to the contacts, such as melting caused by a prolonged interval of a stationary highcurrent arc column. This information enhances the statistics we use in single-phase p a d f a i l testing of interrupters to assess manufacturing quality and the probability that new designs w i l l pass three-phase certification. Correlation of arc voltage traces with the arc appearance and arc motion is also discussed for butt-type contacts, axial magnetic field contacts, and radial magnetic field slotted-cup contacts.