On the use of a (252Cf-3He) assembly for landmine detection by the neutron back-scattering method

Experiments were carried out to optimize the performance of the neutron back-scattering (NBS) technique in landmine detection using an assembly consisting of three different layers placed above a Cf-252 neuron source, producing about 10(4) s(-1), in conjunction with a He-3 detector. The assembly was optimized experimentally. The selected assembly configuration was then examined against different Cf-252 stand-off distances and mine burial depths using dummy landmines. Furthermore, Monte Carlo simulations were performed to study the effect of the shield when a Cf-252 source in the range 10(4)- 10(7) s(-1) was employed, and to optimize the geometry for future prototypes. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.