Land mine detection by time reversal acousto-seismic method

Abstract

We present a concept and results of a pilot study on land mine detection based on the use of time reversal acoustics (TRA). TRA provides a possibility of highly effective concentrating of seismic wave energy in time and space in complex heterogeneous media. TRA focusing of seismic waves on a land mine increases the detection abilities of conventional linear and nonlinear acousto-seismic methods. Such factors as medium inhomogeneities, presence of reflecting boundaries, which could critically limit conventional acoustic approaches, do not affect TRA based method. The TRA mine detection system comprises several air borne or seismic sources and a noncontact (laser vibrometer) device for remote measurements of the surface vibration. The TRA system focuses a seismic wave at a surface point where the vibration is measured. The focusing point is scanned across the search area. The amplitude and frequency dependence of the signal from the seismic wave focusing point and nonlinear acoustic effects are analyzed to assess probability of the mine presence. Preliminary experiments confirmed high focusing ability of the TRA seismo-acoustic system in complex conditions (a laboratory tank with sand) and demonstrated a significant increase in the surface vibration in the presence of mine imitator. [Work supported by DoD grant.]