300 GHz frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar system for detecting rocks’ lithological changes

Abstract

Remote sensing of lithological changes is of high interest in industrial domains such as geotechnics and mineral exploration. Usually, applied methods are based in acoustics or ground penetrating radars working at HF/VHF frequencies. Their limitations are due to the trade-off between spatial resolution and rock penetration. Currently, frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) at frequencies higher than 60 GHz are more accessible and available at reasonable prices. However, their feasibility for measuring lithological changes has not been studied yet. Therefore, in this work we have proposed to make measurements with a 300 GHz FMCW radar to detect the interfaces between two limestone of similar refractive indices. As a result, they were successfully detected even after 2 cm rocks’ penetration.