DUNBLAD, the Delft University neutron backscatter landmine detector

The neutron backscattering technique may be applied to search for non-metallic land mines in relatively dry soils. A novel, ergonomic detector system has been constructed. Tests with real land mines in a realistic environment show that anti-tank mines can reliably be found, but that anti-personnel mines may escape detection. The performance could be improved when an image of the mine signal could be obtained. One approach is to use an array of position sensitive 3He detectors placed close to the soil. A first test with a pulsed neutron generator shows that further improvements can be made by applying a time window on the neutron transit time. The possibilities of neutron backscattering imaging systems are investigated using Monte Carlo simulations with GEANT. A neutron backscattering imaging device with a 2D sensitive detection plane is currently under development.