Method and system for neutralization of buried mines

A method for use in neutralizing a mine disposed at a location, the mine being buried at least in part with material thereabout, said method comprising the steps of:

• operating a lasing medium substantially without cooling thereof until the lasing medium reaches a temperature where thermal population in a lower laser level begins to significantly lower inversion density;
• and
• directing energy generated by operation of the lasing medium in a manner aiming to access the mine;
• the uncooled operation of the lasing medium defining a firing run thereof delivering energy sufficient to penetrate through the material to the mine and to neutralize the mine.

A method for use in neutralizing at least one mine each disposed at a respective location, each mine being buried at least in part with respective material thereabout, said method comprising the steps of:

• performing a mine engagement operation in respect of a respective one of the at least one mine;
• the mine engagement operation for the respective mine comprising the steps of:
• running a solid-state lasing medium substantially uncooled during a lasing run to generate energy, and
• directing the energy generated by the lasing medium in a manner aiming to access the respective mine,
• the lasing medium delivering energy during the lasing run being sufficient to penetrate through the material to the mine and to neutralize the mine;
• selectably iteratively repeating performance of the mine engagement operation for another respective one of the at least one mine;
• and
• cooling the lasing medium following completion of the respective lasing run for a respective mine engagement operation, prior to performance of any next mine engagement operation.

A system for use in association with a mine disposed at a location, the mine being buried at least in part with material thereabout, said system comprising:

• a first system including a laser;
• and
• a control system;
• said control system being operably configured to direct the first system to generate laser energy penetrating to the mine through said material to operably neutralize the mine.