Laser Based Item Monitoring System

ORNL has been developing a laser based scanning system that rapidly scans pre-programmed points or areas. These points or areas correspond to the positions of retro-reflecting targets affixed to items to be monitored. The system consists of a laser scanner, retro-reflective tags, and a computer control program. The effort has now become a collaboration with personnel from the European Commission’s Joint Research Center located in Ispra, Italy. This document will provide information about the laser scanning system including a functional overview, results from initial testing performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, results from efforts at the JRC, the current status of activities, and finally a brief overview of a possible safeguards system that makes use of this technique.