An experimental model of a acousto-electromagnetic sensor for detecting land mines

A hybrid technique is presented in this paper that simultaneously uses both electromagnetic and acoustic waves in a synergistic manner to detect buried land mines. The configuration of the system currently being studied is shown. The system consists of an electromagnetic radar and an acoustic source. An acoustic surface (Rayleigh) wave is induced in the Earth by means of a stationary transducer on the surface. The transducer is placed behind the region being scanned for mines and directs the surface acoustic wave into the region being searched. The surface acoustic wave interacts with the mine and causes both the mine and the surface of the Earth to be displaced. The displacement of the mine is different than the Earth, because the acoustic properties of the mine are quite different than those of the Earth. The displacement of the surface of the Earth when a mine is present is different than when it is not present because of the waves scattered from the mine. The electromagnetic radar is used to detect these displacements and, thus, the mine.