Title :
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
fDate :
8/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
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;
Journal_Title :
Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on
