Geological tomography using cosmic rays
First Claim
1. A method for mapping subterranean densities in a survey region comprising:
- positioning a plurality of muon detectors at a plurality of subterranean locations adjacent the test region;
collecting muon detection data from the detectors for a plurality of intersecting trajectories; and
processing the collected muon detection data to form a density map of the test region.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are a system configured for detecting cosmic ray muon (CRM) flux along a variety of trajectories through a subterranean test region, collecting the muon detection data and processing the data to form a three-dimensional density distribution image corresponding to the test region. The system may be used for identifying concentrations of high (or low) density mineral deposits or other geological structures or formations well below the earth'"'"'s (or ocean floor) surface. The system may be utilized for imaging geological materials and structures of higher and/or lower density in a test region having a depth of several kilometers or more.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for mapping subterranean densities in a survey region comprising:
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positioning a plurality of muon detectors at a plurality of subterranean locations adjacent the test region;
collecting muon detection data from the detectors for a plurality of intersecting trajectories; and
processing the collected muon detection data to form a density map of the test region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for mapping subterranean densities comprising:
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a plurality of muon detectors configured for deployment in subterranean test locations for detecting muon flux data associated with a subterranean test region;
a positioning device for determining the location of the test locations;
a communication device connected to the muon detectors for receiving and transmitting the detected muon flux data;
a processor configured for receiving the detected muon flux data and manipulating the detected muon flux data to produce a density map corresponding to the subterranean test region. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification