Recent Development to Track Contraband using Muon

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This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2026 | Volume : 02 | Issue : 01 | Page :
    By

    Rathindra Nath Biswas,

  1. Head of Department, Metallurgical & Engineering Consultants (MECON), West Bengal, India

Abstract

The muon is one of nature’s fundamental particles discovered in 1937 by Carl Anderson. A muon is an elementary subatomic particle similar to electron, but with a mass approximately 207 times greater and, sometimes it is called as a “heavy electron”. Muons are generated naturally when cosmic rays collide with atoms in earth’s upper atmosphere and, then raining down all the times upon the surface of earth. Muons can be artificially made by creating high-energy conditions that mimic cosmic rays colliding with atmosphere. A compact source of muons can be built using high-intensity laser systems where high peak power lasers accelerate electrons to relativistic speeds. These electrons are directed to a target made of tungsten or lead creating muon-antimuon pairs. Muons are highly penetrating and can easily pass through thick metal or rock easily. They are also sensitive to density through which they pass. Since muons are deeply penetrating than X-rays or gamma rays, muon tomography is used to create 3D images of entire cargo containers to detect shielded nuclear materials, explosives or other contraband. Other key applications are imaging volcano monitoring to predict eruptions, imaging tunnels, imaging pyramid interiors. It does not require any radiation source and hence it is harmless to humans. Unlike high energy X-ray systems, it does not require extensive shielding and, stations can be less expensive to build and maintain. The device analyses muon scattering and absorption rates in real time during scanning enabling prompt detection within 20 seconds.

Keywords: Muon, Pion, Laser-Wakefield Acceleration, CPA laser, Linear plasma accelerator, Scintillation detector

[This article belongs to International Journal of Universe ]

How to cite this article:
Rathindra Nath Biswas. Recent Development to Track Contraband using Muon. International Journal of Universe. 2026; 02(01):-.
How to cite this URL:
Rathindra Nath Biswas. Recent Development to Track Contraband using Muon. International Journal of Universe. 2026; 02(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/iju/article=2026/view=244982


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 02
Issue 01
Received 16/04/2026
Accepted 08/05/2026
Published 20/05/2026
Publication Time 34 Days
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