Geological tomography using cosmic rays
US7531791B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 12, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V5/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.