Investigation of a Technique that Uses Elastic Waves to Detect Buried Land Mines

A technique that uses elastic waves to detect buried mines is being investigated. In the technique, an elastic wave is launched into the earth. It propagates and interacts with a buried mine causing displacements of both the mine and the surrounding soil. Because of the interactions of the wave with the mine, the soil surface displacements near the mine are quite different from those far from it. These displacements are measured using a sensor that is suspended above the soil surface. Results using two types of sensors are presented in this paper: a specially designed radar and an array of microphones. The results from measurements with both types of sensors compare well. The effects of the mine (including resonances, reflections, and non-propagating waves) can be seen in the data. The observed resonances clearly distinguish mines from common forms of buried clutter.