Patent · US Expired

Geological tomography using cosmic rays

US7488934B2 · kind B2 · utility

16Cited by
8References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 17, 2006
Grant dateFeb 10, 2009
Priority date—
Expiry dateFeb 17, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01V5/04
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.