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PELAN (Pulsed ELemental Analysis with Neutrons) is a man-portable system for the detection of explosives and chemical warfare agents, weighing 40 kg. It is based on the principle that explosives and other contraband contain various chemical elements such as H, C, N, 0, etc. in quantities and ratios that differentiate them from other innocuous substances. The pulsed neutrons are produced with a pulsed 14 MeV (d-T) neutron generator. Separate gamma-ray spectra from fast neutron, thermal neutron and activation reactions are accumulated and analyzed to determine elemental content. Data analysis is performed in an automatic manner and a fmal result of whether a threat is present is returned to the operator. Since 1999, PELAN has undergone several field trials and demonstrations., including in 2001, demonstrations in Belgium and in the US of its ability to identify chemical warfare agents. We will review the results of these tests and also discuss the modifications made to the system.

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There has been much work increasing the sensitivity of detecting metallic objects in soils and other environments. This has lead to a problem in discriminating unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines from other metallic clutter (cartridge casings, shrapnel, etc.). PELAN (Pulsed ELemental Analysis with Neutrons) is a small portable system for the detection of explosives. PELAN weighs less than 45 kg and is man portable. It is based on the principle that explosives and other contraband contain various chemical elements such as H, C, N, 0, etc. in quantities and ratios that differentiate them from other innocuous substances. The pulsed neutrons are produced with a 14 MeV (d-T) neutron generator. Separate gamma-ray spectra from fast neutron, thermal neutron and activation reactions are accumulated and analyzed to determine elemental content. The data analysis is performed in an automatic manner and a result of whether a threat is present is returned to the operator. PELAN has successfully undergone field demonstrations for explosive detection. In this paper, we will discuss the application ofPELAN to the problem of differentiating threats (e.g. UXO and landmines) from metallic clutter.