In-Situ Real Time Detection of Explosive/Chemical Compounds in Mines Using Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR)

摘要

This program was part of DARPA's 'Dog Nose' initiative to develop land mine detection technology based upon the chemical signature of the mine explosive charge. Nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) was the only technology pursued that detects the bulk explosive in situ. In the first year the program demonstrated the basic feasibility of using a lightweight coil to measure the explosive RDX (C4) at under conditions typical of antipersonnel and antitank mines. The program also showed for the first time a sufficient TNT signal to make NQR landmine detection feasible. In the second year the program was expanded to improve ruggedness and develop the technology to a more advanced state. A site survey was made to several minefields in Bosnia, and blind tests on TNT and RDX AP and AT mines were carried out at Ft. Leonard Wood. The system detected 100% of all mines in the three tests in the final year, with a false alarm rate less than 1%. Much of the knowledge gained has been only partly implemented in prototypes to date. Further improvements are expected under an Army program to develop an NQR array for route clearance missions, and a Navy program for a man-portable system.