Abstract
The use of Monte Carlo simulations is presented for modelling a simplified land-mine detector system with thermal neutron backscattering (TNB) analysis based on a Cf-252-neutron source. Different aspects and a variety of external conditions, related to localisation and identification of a buried object have been investigated. In particular, the influence of moisture in a formation has been assessed, as moisture can be a serious interference for hydrogen as an indicator for explosives. The results of sensitivity calculations confirm that land-mine detection methods, based on an analysis of TNB may be applicable in homogeneous formations with low porosity provided that pore-water remains <5% by weight. In dry limestone. the TNT-based explosives can be well distinguished from other hydrogen-rich materials, except wood. However, in dry siliciclastic sands TNT explosives and wood are distinguishable. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | PII S0969-8043(02)00064-7 |
| Pages (from-to) | 837-846 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Applied Radiation and Isotopes |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - Jun-2002 |
Keywords
- Monte Carlo simulation
- land-mine detection
- thermal neutron backscattering, APM
- EXPLOSIVES