Buried Landmine Detection with SERS

As of 1999, the only artificial systems employed by the U.S. military for the detection of buried landmines were metal detectors.1 Although these detectors can sense as little as 0.5 grams of metal, and thus maintain a high detection probability, they cannot distinguish between a firing pin or a piece of scrap metal. Furthermore, modern landmines can be constructed without metallic parts and would therefore not be detected with current technology. An ideal sensor would be able to detect the actual explosive material (e.g. TNT, RDX) rather than detect parts used in the construction of the landmine. It would need to be sensitive but also specific so as not to result in a large number of false positive hits that would slow down the clearing process.