Thermal Neutron Analysis (TNA) Based Mine Detection System - Feasibility Study

"Thermal Neutron Analysis (TNA) is a non-intrusive detection technique that can specifically detect landmines by measuring the high nitrogen density in the explosives. This technique is well suited for a confirmatory sensor that can work in conjunction withexisting anomaly mine detection sensors, which have high false alarm rates. The proposed Phase 1 program will use an electronic neutron generator (ENG) in an experimental and engineering trade-off study to determine the best sensors for the mine detectionproblem. The measure of performance will be the signal-to-noise level obtainable within the time budget allotted for a confirmatory sensor that is derived from the overall US Army goals for mine clearing. High-efficiency and medium-resolution sodiumiodide (NaI(Tl)) scintillators, and lower-efficiency and high-resolution hyper-pure germanium (HPGe) solid-state detectors will be compared. Measurements will be made using a laboratory "sandbox" with buried (simulated) mines of different sizes and amodified TNA measurement system. From the data taken, an extrapolation of the performance (Probability of Detection (PD)/Probability of False Alarm (PFA)) for a field system will be made. The results will be documented in a final report. If thefeasibility study is successful, a Phase 2 program to build and field-test a prototype, will be proposed. The TNA based mine detection sensor has a unique ability to detect the presence of all hi