Abstract:

PELAN (the initials of Pulsed Elemental Analysis with Neutrons) is a device that has been developed to identify a landmine through the elemental constituents of its explosive.  PELAN uses neutrons as the probing particles.  The incident neutrons interact with the nuclei of the various chemical elements in the mine, emitting characteristic gamma rays that act as the fingerprints of the various chemical elements. PELAN is capable of identifying with the same probability of detection all types of high explosives (TNT, RDX etc.) either in plastic or metal encased landmines.  Results of its evaluation with blind tests in Croatia and the US using anti-personnel and anti-tank landmines will be presented, as well as results from the interrogation of shells.

Paper.pdf