On the use of radiation scattering for the detection of landmines

Three radiation scattering modalities are examined for use in the detection of buried landmines. The slowing-down of fast neutrons to the thermal energy is a direct measure of the concentration of hydrogen, one of the elements present in explosive materials. The elastic scattering of fast neutrons is affected by the strong resonances in the cross-sections of the three other elements of explosives: nitrogen, oxygen and carbon. In addition, the Compton scattering of gamma-rays is dependent on the material density; another useful indicator. These three interaction mechanisms can take place simultaneously if one of the common isotopic neutron sources, which are also gamma emitters, is employed. This paper demonstrates, by Monte Carlo simulations and experiments, the suitability of these three processes for use in identifying landmines buried in soil.