Investigation of the feasibility of fast neutron analysis for detection of buried landmines

Anthony A. Faust; John E. McFee; H. Robert Andrews; Harry Ing

doi:10.1117/12.668898

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18 May 2006 Investigation of the feasibility of fast neutron analysis for detection of buried landmines

Anthony A. Faust, John E. McFee, H. Robert Andrews, Harry Ing

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Proceedings Volume 6217, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets XI; 62172C (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.668898
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2006, Orlando (Kissimmee), Florida, United States

Abstract

Nuclear methods have long been one of the few techniques available to aid in the detection and identification of potentially dangerous objects in a non-intrusive manner. The application of neutron-based methods has been particularly successful in bulk material detection and identification, owing to the neutron's capability to penetrate deep into materials, and its nuclide-specific interactions which can be used to make direct measurements of a target's elemental composition. Defence R&D Canada - Suffield's initial work in the area of penetrating radiation resulted in the development of the recently commercialized Minespec, a Thermal Neutron Analysis (TNA) system for buried-explosives detection. Co-developed with Bubble Technology Industries Inc., as the confirmation detector for a multi-sensor anti-tank landmine detection system, continuing improvements to the TNA system have included the inclusion of an electronic pulsed neutron generator - an upgrade that presents the possibility of utilizing Fast Neutron Analysis (FNA) methods to improve the system's detection capability. In this paper we will discuss the Minespec system and report on our investigations regarding the possibility for incorporating an FNA component to provide complementary information to assist in anti-tank landmine detection.

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Anthony A. Faust, John E. McFee, H. Robert Andrews, and Harry Ing "Investigation of the feasibility of fast neutron analysis for detection of buried landmines", Proc. SPIE 6217, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets XI, 62172C (18 May 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.668898

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