Determination of the magnetic polarizability tensor and three dimensional object location for multiple objects using a walk-through metal detector

A previously reported tomographic metal detector which is capable of inverting the location and magnetic polarizability tensor for a single object has been modified such that it is capable of inverting the location and magnetic polarizability tensor for multiple objects. In this paper, the term 'multiple objects' refers to up to three independent metallic objects. The results from this paper show that the algorithm works well for objects vertically separated by greater than 40 cm, however the reliability varies as objects are brought closer together, or are at the same vertical height; the estimation of position for multiple objects tends to perform well, but the estimation of the magnetic polarizability tensor becomes poorer. Interactions taking place between objects is presented as one possible explanation for this. © 2014 IOP Publishing Ltd.