International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Research Applications and Utilization of Accelerators

4-8 May 2009, Vienna

SM/EN-P09

Current Research Activities for Landmine Detection by Nuclear Technique in Libya

F.A. El Bakkoush and A.M. Dandi

Neutron Physics & Landmine Division, Renewable Energies and Water Desalination Center, Tripoli, Libya

Corresponding Author: f a bakkoush tnrc@yahoo.com

This paper gives a description to the current research activity carried by the research team which is concerned with the application of nuclear techniques for landmine detection. The activities are technically and financially supported by the IAEA through a TC project Lib/1/006. The IAEA has provided the project with two 3He detectors and some electronic equipment to install a detection system based on measuring thermal neutrons backscattered from the buried object. Also a detection system based on measuring the γ rays emitted from the hidden object through the interrogation of its elemental nuclei by fast and thermal neutrons will be installed. Theoretical and experimental studies are performed when neutrons of different energies are used. Calculations are performed using a Monte Carlo MCNP or Geant–3 Code. This code is used to assess the thermal neutron flux backscattered from plain soil and soil embedded with landmines of different amount of explosive. Measurements are performed to measure the backscattered thermal neutrons from a landmine with different amount of explosive material which is buried in ground at different depths. The obtained results are presented in the form of displayed spectra for γ rays and thermal neutron fluxes of landmines buried at different depth in ground. The analyses of the obtained data can be used to show the strength and weakness of the applied methods for landmine detection in different environmental conditions.


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