Frequently Asked Questions
Muon tomography is the only straight-line subsurface imaging technology available today, delivering the highest available resolution along with precise anomaly location information. It uses a passive and free energy source (from space), offers the ability to image in noisy or conductive environments (where other techniques do not), provides insights from depths that other techniques cannot, and captures data continuously – improving imaging results over the course of a survey. This unique data source, combined with Ideon’s proprietary processing algorithms and multi-data-set analysis, gives our clients a comprehensive set of subsurface intelligence that they’ve never had access to before.
No, we don’t. Ideon offers a solution-as-a service – a simple approach that includes hardware, software, analysis and insights generation that creates value by unifying historically disparate data sets. We handle everything, from the design and deployment, through detailed analysis and equipment retrieval/redeployment, making it easy for our clients to get the subsurface intelligence they need.
Each of our imaging programs is tailored to the specific parameters of the client site and geological challenge. The factors we consider when forward-modelling a deployment include: size, depth, and geometric orientation of the target; the density contrast between the target and the host rock; the resolution required for optimal decision-making; the proximity of the target to our sensors; and the overall topography of the area. To deliver an accurate 3D model, we place multiple detectors at different depths and positions to provide different perspectives of the target.
We capture and measure muons at the rate they are generated by the universe. Depending on the depth of the project, size of the target, and density contrasts involved, this can require weeks to months of downhole imaging time. For time-sensitive projects, we are able to double the number of detectors to halve the imaging time required.