Geological tomography using cosmic rays
First Claim
1. A method for mapping subterranean densities, comprising:
- positioning a plurality of muon detectors in one or more subterranean locations, at least one of the plurality of muon detectors having a drift region;
providing a voltage plane in the drift region;
generating an electric field with the voltage plane, the electric field being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the drift region; and
measuring a plurality of muon trajectories.
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Abstract
Disclosed are a system and method 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. In at least one embodiment, the system may be used for identifying concentrations of higher (or lower) 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, comprising:
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positioning a plurality of muon detectors in one or more subterranean locations, at least one of the plurality of muon detectors having a drift region; providing a voltage plane in the drift region; generating an electric field with the voltage plane, the electric field being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the drift region; and measuring a plurality of muon trajectories. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for mapping subterranean densities, comprising:
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a plurality of muon detectors in one or more subterranean locations; a drift region in at least one of the plurality of muon detectors; a voltage plane in the drift region; and a 2-dimensional measuring device at an end of the drift region to measure a plurality of muon trajectories. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification