Detection of landmines by using 14 MeV neutron tagged beams.
A large-area scanning system using 14 MeV tagged neutrons has been built. The associated (4)He particles emitted in the D+T reaction are detected in an array of Parallel Plate Avalanche Counters that defines a scanning plane having about 10 x 100 cm(2) area. Coincident gamma-rays are detected by 10 BaF(2) scintillators. The capability of the system to determine the presence and the position of samples and to perform an on-line background subtraction is demonstrated. Test with landmines are also reported. This technique allows a significant improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio searching for hidden threat materials. The use with portable sealed-tube generators is foreseen.
Lunardon
M
M
Dipartimento di Fisica, dell' Università di Padova, INFN Sezione di Padova, Via Marzolo 8, Padova I-35131, Italy.
Nebbia
G
G
Pesente
S
S
Viesti
G
G
Barbui
M
M
Cinausero
M
M
D'Erasmo
G
G
Palomba
M
M
Pantaleo
A
A
Filippini
V
V
D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005107:Explosions / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005214:Fast Neutrons; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006371:Helium / Q000737:chemistry; D012987:Soil; D014857:Warfare
D012987:Soil; D006371:Helium