The Science of Metal Detectors?

[bitRAKE]

How do they work and what is being done to improve their functionality?

I've read much on the web about PI and othe types of detectors. Seems rather easy to understand with a little knowledge of electronics.

I would be really interested in knowing what research is being done to improve them. Why can't we just see through the ground?

[speekergeek]

metal detectors are getting more and more advanced every year, just like everything else. i am not sure how they do it or i'd be a tech for a MD'ing company. as for why we can't just see in the ground..... the dirt is in the way. ;D

[speekergeek]

this link should whet your appetite.

members.aol.com/omlcgm/detecknowledgy/detecknowledgy.htm

[bitRAKE]

With strategically placed pulsed explosions we could compress the magnetic field and increase the resolution of the metal detectors.

[Jeff Kinzli]

bitRAKE, once you hit ten postings, you will magically have access to the "Member's Section" of the forum. In that area, I've posted a few articles about detector design, coil design, etc. I hope those are helpful to you.

If you have specific questions about detectors or coils, I'll try to answer them.

As far as how detectors have changed over the years, the answer is not much. Sensitivity has increased, largely due to the availability of good quality, low noise, high gain op amps and the like. Some of the newer machines are also using DSP techniques and signal processing to better deal with ground effects, do discrimination, etc.

PI's operate differently, and there has been some progress there, due to fast and high power transistors. The faster the coil current switch on/off can be, the more sensitive the PI can be made towards metals that have a rapid decay time, like gold.

Happy hunting...

[bitRAKE]

10

Thanks

[Cliff]

Here's a site I really like. You can search for about anything, and find out how it works. It's www.howstuffworks.com (go figure). The link for metal detectors is home.howstuffworks.com/metal-detector.htm

[goldhart]

Thanks Cliff! Dan3