title: The detection of landmines by neutron backscattering: exploring the limits of the technique.
abstract: Neutron backscattering (NB) sensors have been proposed for Humanitarian De-mining applications. Recently, a prototype hand-held system integrating a NB sensor in a metal detector has been developed within the EU-funded DIAMINE Project. The results obtained in terms of performance of the NB systems and limitations in its use are presented in this work. It is found that the performance of NB sensors is strongly limited by the presence of the soil moisture and by its small-scale variations. The use of the neutron hit distribution to reduce false alarms is explored.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università di Padova and INFN Sezione di Padova,Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padova, Italy. giuseppe.viesti@pd.infn.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Viesti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lunardon
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nebbia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barbui
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cinausero
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Erasmo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palomba
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pantaleo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Obhodas
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Valković
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D005107:Explosions / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009502:Neutrons; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014857:Warfare