High Power Electromagnetics Applied to Humanitarian Demining in Colombia

This paper summarizes the main findings of a long-term research to explore the use of high power electromagnetics in humanitarian demining. A neutralization method based on remote detonation of electrically-activated improvised explosive devices (IED) was developed. A general overview of the problem is given considering all the components from the source of power to the port of interest in the IED. Different types of radiation systems are analyzed and the most adequate for this application are identified. Experimental results that validate the neutralization method are presented.