Abstract: A scintillator panel (2) comprises a radiation-transparent substrate(10), aflat resin film (12) formed on the substrate (10), a reflecting film (14) formed on the flat resin film (12), a deliquescent scintillator (16) formed on the reflecting film (14), and a transparent organic film (18) covering the scintillator (16).

Abstract: A surveillance system uses pulsed laser near infrared light to illuminate a retroreflecting tag attached to a target for providing a return image that pulsates and that can be monitored by a camera for covert tracking of a target. The surveillance system may instead use pulsed near infrared polarized laser light to illuminate a transparent ¼ waveplate tag affixed to a moving vehicle or transitory containers for monitoring enhanced return images reflected from the tags serving to change the polarization of the illuminating laser beam so as to provide a co-located camera with return images that pulsate relative to background images for enhanced viewing and surveillance of the vehicle or container.

Abstract: An X-ray image detector includes a photoelectric conversion part providing electric charges in accordance with the received amount of light; a charge storage part (storage capacitor) having a first storage electrode, a dielectric layer deposited on the first storage electrode, a second storage electrode on the dielectric layer and a pixel electrode in contact with total surface of the second storage electrode and collecting electric charges produced in the photoelectric conversion part; and a switching part controlling release of the electric charges stored in the storage capacitor and a method for fabricating the same. The x-ray image detector has a reduced “off” electric current due to a reduced leakage current of the TFT, and the capacity of storage capacitor is increased. Also, the X-ray image detector may be manufactured with a higher yield, due to reduced electrical shorts between the first and second storage electrodes.

Abstract: A subject (10) is disposed adjacent a detector array (18) of a nuclear camera. The subject (10) is injected with a radioactive isotope (14) and &ggr;-ray emissions indicative of nuclear decay are detected at the detector array (18). Individual detectors (22) are monitored in groups of 64. When one of them detects a nuclear event, it produces an electrical spike that is filtered into a Gaussian with about a 1.2 &mgr;sec peaking time. A 10 bit analog to digital converter (44) 10 repeatedly digitizes the amplitude of the Gaussian pulse, e.g. at a 20 MHz clock rate. The 10 bit digitized pulse amplitudes are monitored by a 10 bit comparitor (46), which monitors consecutive values of the digitized signal, looking for the peak value, e.g. for the amplitude to stop rising. When the peak is detected, the most recent four digital pulse amplitudes contiguous to the peak are summed in a 12 bit accumulator (106) to generate a 12 bit peak amplitude value.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing road conditions, for use especially in a motor vehicle, includes an infrared transmitter-receiver system. Devices are provided which make it possible to separate signal fractions into different infrared wavelength ranges. This allows for the reliable evaluation of the conditions of the road section being monitored, using a simple and economical device. The infrared devices may be combined with a microwave device.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite image from first and second digital images formed by recording first and second contiguous segments of a larger radiographic image in first and second overlapping storage phosphor members, exposed to a source of X-rays wherein the image content in the overlapped region is the same in both images and the end edge of the first member is present both on the first image and as a shadow edge in the second image, the method comprising: correcting for geometric distortion in the first and second digital images; determining any rotational displacement and any vertical displacement between the first and second images by matching the first member end edge in the first image to its shadow in the second image; correcting for image orientation based on any said rotational displacement; determining any horizontal displacement between the first and second images by correlating the image content in the overlapped region of the first and second images; and stitching said first and second images

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring alpha contamination are provided in which ions generated in the air surrounding the item, by the passage of alpha particles, are moved to a distant detector location. The parts of the item from which ions are withdrawn can be controlled by restricting the air flow over different portions of the apparatus. In this way, detection of internal and external surfaces separately, for instance, can be provided. The apparatus and method are particularly suited for use in undertaking alpha contamination measurements during the commissioning operations.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a dose of penetrating radiation absorbed by an object, including the steps of providing the object with a device for absorbing penetrating radiation, including a storage phosphor for storing energy from the penetrating radiation; at predetermined intervals, coupling the storage phosphor to a source of stimulation light in such a way that the stimulation light impinges on the phosphor; activating the source of stimulation light so as to cause the storage phosphor to emit an amount of fluorescent light in proportion to an amount of stored energy; reading the amount of fluorescent light and converting it into an electric signal value; storing electric signal value(s) obtained at the predetermined intervals and processing them so as to evaluate a total amount of radiation absorbed by the object; comparing the total amount with a predefined threshold value for obtaining a difference value; and displaying the difference value on a decentralized display.

Abstract: A composite phosphor screen for converting radiation, such as X-rays, into visible light. The screen includes a planar surface, which can be formed from glass, silicon or metal, which has etched therein a multiplicity of closely spaced microchannels having diameters of the order of 10 microns or less. Deposited within each of the microchannels is a multiplicity of phosphors which emit light when acted upon by radiation. A photomultiplier, which may be microchannel based, is integrated with the X-ray detector so as to provide an enhanced output for use with low level X-ray of for cine or fluoroscopy applications. The walls of the microchannels and/or the substrate surfaces include dielectric stack based light reflective coatings.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring the reflectance in a visible spectral wavelength band by visual comparison of a surface viewed through a filter with a set of reference reflectance areas are described. An appropriate filter and reference reflecting areas are useful for estimating skin pigmentation, corresponding skin sun sensivity and sun exposure time tolerance. Tables are included for the solar erythemal radiation environment in different locations for different times of the year for use in determining sunlight exposure time tolerance. Also methods to use skin reflectance data along with local solar ultraviolet index data to determine sunlight exposure tolerance times are included. In addition, methods to ensure sufficient exposure for previtamin D generation are included along with techniques to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Abstract: An apparatus, methods, and systems for assaying materials are disclosed using a combination of detectors that scan for areas of material non-uniformity, and assay the type and amount of radioactivity present in the material. Scanning detectors are provided to scan for non-uniform levels of radiation emanating from the material. If any non-uniformity is detected by the scanning detectors, the material non-uniformity is removed and handled with radioactive material protocols. The remaining material may then be subject to assay. If the material shows no signs of non-uniform radiation emission, the assay detectors are used to assay the material. If the concentration of any one or more radionuclides exceeds a predetermined limit, the assayed material is handled with radioactive material protocols.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting for detecting an object within a radiating beam of a radiating source. The method receives reflected and radiated radiation directly from the object to provide a radiation signal. The method then processes the radiation signal to provide a control to the radiating source. A concomitant apparatus comprising a detector and a control circuit is provided. The detector receives reflected and radiated radiation directly from the object and provides a radiation signal indicative of the reflected and radiated radiation received from the object. The control circuit, coupled to the detector, processes the provided radiation signal to provide a control signal to the radiating source.

Abstract: A flat panel x-ray imager includes a gain layer (charge multiplication layer) that facilitates imaging at low x-ray exposure levels. The gain layer can be a gas chamber or a solid state material operating in an avalanche mode.

Abstract: An infrared ray sensor includes two electrode lines, a heat sensing section and a control unit. The heat sensing section is connected between the two electrode lines, and includes a film formed of a material in which resistivity of the material changes along a hysteresis curve depending on temperature change. The heat sensing section receives an infrared ray to change the resistivity. The control unit is connected to between the two electrode lines. The control unit operates to the heat sensing section such that the heat sensing section undergoes a temperature cycle. The temperature cycle is composed of a temperature increasing process and a temperature decreasing process, and the resistivity of the material changes along a part of the hysteresis curve during the temperature cycle. Also, the control unit detects a temperature due to the infrared ray based on a result of the temperature cycle.

Abstract: In a radiation image photographing apparatus using a radiation detection cassette containing an image memory, image data read from the image memory are properly related to a photographing menu used at the time of obtaining the image data. A counter value C of a photographing counter 57 in a cassette 50 is converted to radio data C′ and transferred to a display apparatus 21 while being stored in an image memory 45 as accompanying information of image data D. The display apparatus 21 relates the transferred counter value C to a photographing menu. When the image data D are read from the image memory 45, the counter value C is also read and the photographing menu corresponding to the image data D is identified by referring to the counter value C.

Abstract: A glass substrate has formed on a front side thereof pixels each including a photoelectric conversion device, a capacitor and a TFT, and signal lines for reading signals via TFT's of the pixels, and on a back side thereof vertical selection lines for selecting the pixels, and has provided therethrough electric contacts for interconnection between gates of the TFT's and the vertical selection lines. The signal lines and the vertical selection lines are in a crossing relationship at thickness distance across the substrate, with reduced wiring capacities therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated apparatus for monitoring wafers and for process control in the semiconductor manufacturing process, by means of optical measurements at more than one spectral range that can be installed inside any part of the semiconductor production line, i.e., inside the photocluster equipment, the CVD equipment or the CMP equipment. The apparatus comprises a measuring unit (110) for performing optical measurements in predetermined sites on said wafer, illumination sources for illuminating said wafer via measuring unit (10,50), supporting means (30) for holding, rotating and translating the wafer and a control unit (120). The measuring unit (110) comprises: (a) at least two separate optical units, each operating at a different distinct spectral range; (b) a separate optical window for each optical unit (31, 32); (c) at least one movable optical head (34); (d) mechanical means for translating said optical head relatively to the wafer's surface.

Abstract: A system for providing recognition of an approaching object located in a distant no-light environment includes an illumination source for transmitting light to the distant object and an imaging device for detecting the light radiation reflected from the distant object to generate an image of the distant object corresponding thereto. The system also includes an independent digital signal processor for calculating a desired optical magnification of a lens of the imaging device as a function of a distance between the imaging device and the distant object and generates a voltage corresponding thereto. The digital signal processor applies the voltage to the digital zoom circuitry of the imaging device to adjust the magnification of the lens so that the image of the distant object is held in a fixed dimension.

Abstract: A radiation imaging device includes a scintillator, a cover and an imager substrate. A photodetector array comprising a plurality of photodetectors is disposed on the imager substrate. The cover is hermetically bonded to the substrate with a sealant. The cover has outer sidewalls and a top side connecting the outer sidewalls. In attaching to the substrate, the cover is disposed on the imager substrate to surround the scintillator. A curable sealant is applied along the outer surface of the cover. The sealant is then cured to hermetically bond the cover to the substrate.

Abstract: A radiation detector for detecting radiation comprises a scintillator, a first light guide, a plurality of second light guides and a photo detector. The scintillator generates a scintillated light in response to received radiation. The first light guide, which is connected to the scintillator, has a fluorescence characteristic. The second light guide has a common surface arranged at the opposite side of the surface of the scintillator where radiation is received, and the second light guide has a fluorescence characteristic. The photo detector is connected to the first light guide and the second light guide, and detects a fluorescent light therein.