Detection of Explosives

Abstract

Since the development of modern analysis supported by electronic means several different methods are available for detection of explosives, which have been improved within the last decades with regard to precision, reliability, quickness and minimum test sample volume. These developments enable us to analyse substances very quickly - in some cases also on-line. The question is, which methods are suitable for application in the field under conditions of mine- and/or terrorist bomb detection. The importance of “Humanitarian Demining” in the last decades aiming at removing millions of landmines in the third world initiated research and development in the industrial countries. National and international programs were started and institutions were founded to solve one of the largest problems of our days. Non-government organisations, the “NGOs” have done an outstanding work in demining. But up to now, the deminers are working with relatively simple devices with very low frequencies and efficiency: Prodding, Dogs and Metal Detection.