INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON THE ADVANCES IN NQR DETECTION OF LAND MINES AND EXPLOSIVES (NQR-DLME)
June 8 - 11, 2000
NEW:
PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME
SPONSORED BY THE AMPERE SOCIETY AS AN AMPERE EVENT
SCOPE OF THE MEETING
The problem of demining is an urgent humanitarian imperative for the society. The solution to this problem is very difficult both from a scientific and a technical point of view because any instrument must be extremely reliable and safe for the operators. A similar problem is the detection of explosives in the mail and at luggage checkpoints at airports.
Nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) has considerable potential in the detection of anti-personnel land mines and explosives. NQR techniques for the identification of nitrogen-containing explosives depend on the signals generated by 14N nuclei present in the solid material when irradiated with RF radiation in the frequency range 0.5 to 6 MHz. The NQR frequencies and spectra are specific to a given explosive and provide not only a positive identification of the material but also its quantity. With suitable modifications of the probe and RF pulse sequences used, one or two dimensional images of the explosive in the mine can be obtained at the expense of some increase in time.
The main goal of this meeting is to examine the recent advances in the capabilities and features of NQR techniques for the detection of land mines and explosives and to stimulate a strong exchange of knowledge and new ideas between basic research and applications. A series of invited and contributed lectures covering the main NQR techniques for the detection of explosives will contribute to the advance in the field. It may also lead to new collaborations and projects. A special round table will be devoted to comparison of NQR techniques with non-resonant techniques. There will be also special invited contributions from the fields of radar detection, chemical detection and neutron techniques. Technical problems like planar antenna design and the combination of NQR techniques with metal detectors will be discussed as well.
LOCATION
The NQR-DLME Meeting will be held at J. Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
LANGUAGE
The official language of the Meeting will be English.
ACCOMODATION AND TRAVEL
A limited number of rooms in Hotel Union is available at a special rate for NQR-DLME participants of 137 DEM per day. A limited number of rooms is also available at the ICPE student hostel (Dunajska 104, Ljubljana) at a rate of 35 USD per day. The number of room in Union and at the ICPE hostel is very limited and will be given on a first come first serve basis. In order to guarantee the reservation we must receive your accommodation form as soon as possible, and not later than March 31, 2000. You can get more information about accommodation in Ljubljana at http://www.ljubljana.si/where/info/index.htm.
Ljubljana is served by numerous direct flights from various cities of Europe (http://www.adria.si/). The Ljubljana airport is about 25 km from the city center. There are regular buses and taxis from the airport available.
You can also reach Ljubljana by train (train schedule) or car.
REGISTRATION AND CALL FOR PAPERS
The PREREGISTRATION Form should be received by Feb. 20, 2000 with the title of the contribution. Extended two-page abstracts will be published before the Meeting. The abstracts should be received by March 31, 2000.
IMPORTANT DATES
Deadline for PREREGISTRATION: February 20, 2000
Deadline for EXTENDED TWO PAGE ABSTRACTS: March 31, 2000
Deadline for REGISTRATION: March 31, 2000
Deadline for ACCOMMODATION RESERVATION: March 31, 2000
REGISTRATION
Participation of students is encouraged with a reduced registration fee of 50 USD.
CORRESPONDENCE
All correspondence concerning the Meeting should be addressed to
NQR-DLME Secretariat
J. Stefan Institute
Dr. A. Zidansek
Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Phone: +386-61-1773466
Fax: +386-61-1263269
e-mail: icsd@ijs.si
http://cathy.ijs.si/~ampere/
PROGRAMME COMMITTEE
R. Blinc, Slovenia, Chairman
J. A. S. Smith, UK
J. Rant, Slovenia
J. Seliger, Slovenia
F. Milia, Greece
A. N. Garroway, USA
L. Burnett, USA
LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
J. Dolinsek, University of Ljubljana, President
A. Zidansek, J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Scientific Secretary
J. Gasperic, J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana
G. Lahajnar, J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana
B. Zalar, J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana
D. Arcon, J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana
T. Malgaj, International Center for Sustainable Development, Ljubljana, Administrative Secretary