Detection of buried objects using infrared imaging of impulse laser heatedsoils

In this work we examine the time-dependent aspects of thermal imaging of bu ried metallic and non-metallic objects, when impulse heating of the soil su rface is performed. A 1500 W carbon dioxide laser is used to provide the th ermal impulse. Time-dependent thermal images are obtained using an infrared focal plane array camera and a gated data acquisition/analysis system. Exp erimental studies are conducted as a function of object material, size, and burial depth, and incident laser fluence. Quantitative evaluation of the s urface temperature differentials as a function of time are presented. (C) 1 999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.