Airports use ionizing radiation to scan passengers and luggage. Depending on the type of machine, ionizing radiation is used to identify objects that may be hidden by passengers and to create images of what is in luggage.

In 2026, hold luggage (checked baggage) is scanned through a multi-layered, automated system centered on Computed Tomography (CT) technology. After your bag disappears behind the conveyor curtain, it passes through a high-speed CT scanner that rotates 360 degrees around the bag, taking hundreds of X-ray images to create a 3D volumetric reconstruction. Sophisticated AI algorithms then analyze the density and "atomic number" of every object inside to detect explosives, narcotics, or lithium-ion batteries. If the AI flags an anomaly, the 3D image is sent to a remote "resolution room" where a human operator can rotate and "slice" the digital image to inspect it without opening the bag. If doubt remains, the bag is diverted to a physical inspection area where security may use Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) swabs to check for microscopic chemical residues. This process is incredibly fast; modern 2026 systems like the Leidos MV3D can screen up to 1,800 bags per hour without slowing down the airport's throughput.