Landmine detection with the neutron backscattering method

Author

Datema, Cor P. ; Bom, Victor R. ; Van Eijk, Carel W E

Author_Institution

Interfaculty Reactor Inst., Delft Univ. of Technol., Netherlands

Volume

48

Issue

4

fYear

2001

fDate

8/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1087

Lastpage

1091

Abstract

Neutron backscattering was selected as a promising new method for the detection of landmines. With this technique, ²⁵²Cf source and a thermal neutron detector are used. Fast neutrons from the Californium source are better moderated by the landmine, especially plastic mines, than in the surrounding soil. This leads to an increase in the number of reflected thermal neutrons above the mine. Results from experimental trials with the Delft University Neutron Backscattering Landmine Detector (DUNBLAD) are presented and compared with results from Monte Carlo simulations. The limitations of this method and the radiation dose for the user are investigated. Based on these results, a new portable prototype detector is presented

Keywords

Monte Carlo methods; buried object detection; neutron diffraction; particle backscattering; ²⁵²Cf source; DUNBLAD; Delft University Neutron Backscattering Landmine Detector; Monte Carlo simulations; landmine detection; neutron backscattering method; plastic mines; portable prototype detector; reflected thermal neutrons; thermal neutron detector; Backscatter; Contamination; Explosives; Information analysis; Landmine detection; Neutrons; Plastics; Prototypes; Radiation detectors; Soil;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9499

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/23.958728

Filename

958728