A portable landmine detector based on the combination of electromagnetic induction and neutron backscattering

A new portable, ergonomic landmine detector was constructed that combines electromagnetic induction and neutron backscattering. The latter technique uses the moderation of high energy neutrons from a californium source in the soil. When a hydrogen-rich anomaly is present, the number of low energy neutrons that return from the soil increases. This makes the method especially suitable for the detection of plastic landmines. By combining this technique with a metal detector, it is possible to locate both metal and plastic landmines. Preliminary results with this detector, the Delft University Neutron Backscattering LAndmine Detector (DUNBLAD), are presented and future developments are discussed.