Speaker
Description
Most applications of muon radiography (muography) are focused on a static determination of the bulk density of above ground structures or of the subsurface as is. In this paper, we present recent results from a demonstration of muography’s potential for determining contrasts in bulk density over time. Similarly to the so-called contrast agent CT in the medical field, contrast muography offers promise in addressing
significant inefficiencies in mineral processing.
The measurements were performed in a dedicated underground demonstration facility designed to generate well defined and repeatable density variations under controlled conditions. The facility allows for the use of borehole muon detectors installed in horizontal or vertical pipes at a depth of ≈ 2.5m.
A range of well defined density contrasts can be produced using reconfigurable tote bins at the surface of the facility. This allows to both precisely control the amount of water added to system, and to create well defined density phantoms and test objects. Note that the facility also allows for the validation of different measurement normalization schemes (at depth, at surfaces) and is being equipped with a standalone weather station.
Initial measurements indicated a stable and repeatable detector response over extended observation periods, maintaining excellent sensitivity to small variations in incident muon flux and bulk density perturbations. The system currently achieves meter-scale spatial resolution and long-term stability exceeding 95% under controlled conditions. Comparative measurements between dry and water-injected configurations yield spatially resolved density maps that localize imposed anomalies within the test volume. Monte Carlo simulations were used to model muon transport and detector response in the above experimental configurations, showing consistent agreement with measurements.