Abstract: This invention concerns a fluorometer preferably combined with a thermal cycler useful in biochemical protocols such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA melting curve analysis. The present fluorometer features a low heat-generating light source such as a light emitting diode (LED), having a one-to-one correspondence to each of a plurality of sample containers, such as capped PCR tubes in a standard titer tray. The fluorometer of the present invention further comprises an optical path between each LED and its correspondingly positioned container, and another optical path between each fluorescing sample within the positioned container and an optical signal sensing means. The instrument can be computer controlled.

Abstract: A radiation detector 10 has a base 12 and a window 16 that define a vacuum chamber 20. Within the vacuum chamber 20 is a temperature controlled filter 32 and a focal plane array (FPA) 22 defining a gap h therebetween. The filter 32 is heat sunk to a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) 24 and thermoelectric elements 28 to inhibit heat transfer from non-scene sources 38, 40 to the FPA 22. The temperature controlled filter 32 may also incorporate a bandpass filter to reflect all sources of radiation not within the desired wavelength region of interest. The temperature controlled filter 32 is maintained at substantially the same temperature as the FPA 22.

Abstract: A single photon emission computed tomography system includes a base for supporting a patient and a detector assembly adjacent the field of view. The detector assembly detects photon strikes from the field of view. A photon-blocking member is disposed between the field of view and the detector and has an aperture slot that allows passage of photons aligned with the slot. A collimating assembly includes a plurality of collimating vanes formed of photon-attenuating material. A support assembly supports the collimating assembly and includes a first support member and a second support member with the collimating assembly being disposed therebetween. An adjustment assembly includes a first adjuster operable to adjust a first distance between the collimating assembly and the first support member and a second adjuster operable to adjust a second distance between the collimating assembly and the second support member.

Abstract: An ionized alpha particle detector to directly measure alpha activity in ambient air that counts alpha pulses instead of measuring radon concentration is provided by an open-air ionization chamber, a means for collecting ions, a voltage source, a charging means and a means for recording alpha pulses. The ionized alpha particle detector allows the user to directly measure the alpha particle activity in ambient air and consequently, better assess the radiological public health risk from alpha particles emitted by inhaled air. The ionized alpha particle detector advantageously overcomes the difficulties in measuring alpha particles caused by oxygen ions that quickly attract electrons and form negative ions that compensate positive charged particles and prevent the formation of alpha particle pulses.

Abstract: In the field of wellbore data logging it is known to use isotopic neutron sources in a neutron capture logging technique. However, continuous isotopic sources are unpopular for regulatory and safety reasons. Attempts to employ neutron generator tubes to generate neutron bursts for use in the neutron capture technique have encountered various difficulties in areas connected with signal identification and processing. The disclosure relates to a method of data logging in which a low burst rate neutron generator tube is pulsed at comparatively low rates to generate neutron bursts that are captured in atomic nuclei in a proximal formation. The gamma radiation arising from the neutron capture is detected over a gating intervals defined by temporally distinct points. The gamma detector output is integrated over the gating interval to provide a measure of the decay rate that is independent of the pulse rate. Consequently the signal processing problems do not arise.

Abstract: Reference signal components obtained in an initial state from outputs of photoelectric conversion devices of a line sensor having received reference light produced by a reference light source are stored. The line sensor is caused to receive the reference light at a stage immediately before image readout is performed. Sensitivity signal components are acquired from the outputs of the photoelectric conversion devices having received the reference light at the stage immediately before the image readout is performed. The sensitivity signal components and the reference signal components are compared with each other, and sensitivity correction signal components for making a correction for variations in sensitivity among the photoelectric conversion devices are obtained. A correction of the output signal components, which are acquired from the photoelectric conversion devices during the image readout, is made with the sensitivity correction signal components.

Abstract: Methods of analyzing formation fluids in an oilfield environment are near-infrared absorption spectroscopy. Indications of near-infrared absorptions are analyzed to determine the concentration of compounds in a formation fluid sample.

Abstract: A neutron detecting scintillator that has a very short decay time, that can capture neutrons in high efficiency and that is composed of light elements comprises the Li2B4O7 single crystal or the 6Li and 11B or 10B enriched 6Li211B4O7 or 6Li210B4O7 single crystal, in which 6Li and 11B or 10B have large neutron capture cross sections and fluorescence that is emitted from an ionizing radiation generated through their neutron capture reaction has a short-lived component not longer than 10 ns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the safety of a gas mixture containing flammable components such as methane together with ethane or other hydrocarbon, together with a diluent gas. The method includes the filtered infrared spectroscopy of the gas mixture in a gas cell using a filter. The peak transmission wavelength and bandwidth of the filter are so chosen to provide an output, when an infrared light source having a flat wavelength distribution is used, indicative of the % LEL of the gas mixture, within a predetermined tolerance. The filter may be a gas correlation filter containing a mixture of methane and ethane, together with a diluent gas.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reconstructing a plurality of images of an object. An exemplary system includes a radiation source adapted to emit radiation at a plurality of frequencies; a lens with frequency-dependent focal length, such as a Fresnel lens, adapted to receive radiation modified by the object and to project onto a fixed image plane a frequency-dependent image of a slice of the object perpendicular to the radiation path; a sensor for capturing the frequency-dependent image of the object; and apparatus for facilitating creation and capture of a plurality of frequency-dependent images of the object at the plurality of frequencies. A system for reconstructing a tomographic image of the object further includes apparatus for assembling the plurality of frequency-dependent images to reconstruct the tomographic image. Methods and systems are described for use in the visible, audible, and THz frequency ranges and with broadband or narrowband radiation sources.

Abstract: Scintillator panel (1) comprises a radiation transmitting substrate (5), which has heat resistance, a dielectric multilayer film mirror (6), as a light reflecting film and is formed on the radiation transmitting substrate (5), and a scintillator (10), disposed on the dielectric multilayer film mirror (6) and emits light by conversion of the radiation (30) that has been made to enter the radiation transmitting substrate (5) and has passed through the dielectric multilayer film mirror (6). Since the radiation transmitting substrate (5) has heat resistance, the dielectric multilayer film mirror (6) can be vapor deposited at a high temperature and, as a result, can be formed in a state of high reflectance. Also, unlike a metal film, the dielectric multilayer film mirror (6) will not corrode upon reacting with the scintillator (10).

Abstract: A nuclear medicine camera having an X-ray imaging capability, comprising: a gantry having a stationary portion and at least one rotating portion; at least one gamma camera mounted on a said at least one rotating portion and capable of being rotated together at a common first rotation rate about an axis, said at least one gamma camera being capable of acquiring nuclear imaging data for reconstructing a tomographic nuclear image; and an X-ray CT imager having an X-ray source mounted on said at least one rotating portion and being capable of acquiring X-ray imaging data for reconstructing an X-ray image; said X-ray CT imager being mounted closer to said stationary portion than said at least one gamma camera.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting defects in a test specimen. The method generally includes applying a liquid detection medium to the test specimen and exciting the test specimen to cause the liquid detection medium to produce a defect signature for a defect in the test specimen. The liquid detection medium is monitored for defect signatures produced by the liquid detection medium.

Abstract: There is described an image inputting apparatus for inputting a radiation image that is formed on a radiation sensitive panel by projecting radial rays penetrated through a subject. The apparatus includes a detector to detect the radiation image projected onto the radiation sensitive panel and a sensitivity compensating section to automatically find a sensitivity compensation value, which is employed for compensating for a sensitivity of the detector so that a signal value of the radiation image detected by the detector is substantially equal to a predetermined ideal value when a predetermined dose of the radial rays is irradiated onto the radiation sensitive panel. The apparatus also includes a storage section to store the predetermined ideal value of the signal value. The sensitivity compensating section finds an optimum sensitivity-offset value, which makes the signal value of the radiation image equal to the predetermined ideal value stored in the storage section.

Abstract: A high-speed, high-resolution, broadband dynamic infrared scene generator based on semiconductor transducer conversion of visible spectrum scene images into infrared spectrum images. Wavelength conversion is accomplished in the semiconductor material through absorption of visible spectrum energy by valence electrons in a subsurface layer of the semiconductor material and photogeneration by valence band to conduction band electron transfer occurring within about one diffusion length of the semiconductor material surface. The semiconductor material used, for example Germanium or Silicon provides a band gap energy value that is smaller than the quantum energy level of the optical emission. Temperature of the semiconductor material may be maintained at a selected level above or below that of the infrared scene. Infrared images of higher frequency content than are achievable with conventional thermal heating infrared converters are accomplished.

Abstract: Image sensing radiation detection pixels of m (columns)×n (rows) are divided into, e.g., 72 pixel regions. Image sensing radiation detection pixels belonging to one pixel region are connected to the same read TCP and driving TCP. For example, three regions (AEC radiation detection regions) of the 72 pixel regions have a plurality of AEC radiation detection pixels. An AEC radiation detection pixel has a TFT sensor. Spare wiring lines for the AEC radiation detection pixels are arranged at two side portions of each read TCP. Each spare wiring line is connected to a predetermined circuit in a read device to connect the AEC radiation detection pixels to the predetermined circuit so that the AEC circuit is operated.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus (10) includes a photon detector (20) and an accessing circuit (44) coupled thereto. The photon detector (20) detects photons and generates signals in response thereto. The accessing circuit (44) reads out the signals from the photon detector (20) at a sufficiently high rate so that it operates in an event sensitive mode. The apparatus (10) also includes a signal processing module (15) for processing the signals and generating data regarding the images of the object. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the signal processing module (15) may include a spatial resolution circuit (56), a photon energy resolution circuit (57), a temporal resolution circuit (58), or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of controlling an internal stress in a polycrystalline silicon-germanium layer deposited on a substrate. The method includes selecting a deposition pressure that is at or below atmospheric pressure and selecting a deposition temperature that is no greater than 700° C. The deposition pressure and the deposition temperature are selected so as to achieve an internal stress in the silicon-germanium layer that is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A radiological imaging apparatus and method allows an operator to select between moving-picture imaging and still-picture imaging modes using the same apparatus so to provide radiological imaging having a picture quality equal to that of conventional radiological film imaging techniques but with a smaller, lighter and more compact equipment configuration. The apparatus employs photoelectric converters arranged in a two-dimensional matrix array for converting radiation into electrical signals, a read-out circuit for reading the signal output from the photoelectric converters, variable gain amplifiers upstream of an analog multiplexer and a buffer amplifier downstream of the multiplexer for outputting serially converted signals. The method involves setting the moving-picture mode gain Gf so as to be greater than the still-picture mode gain Gs, in order to obtain sharper images without exposing the subject to unnecessarily high levels of radiation.

Abstract: A dual wavelength focal plane has a first array of infrared sensing pixel elements and a second array of visible light pixel elements adapted to be selective to colors encountered while driving an automobile. The second array is selective to the colors red, blue and green, so being selective to traffic control signals, including brake lights of other automobiles. The arrays are vertically stacked on a monolithic silicon substrate. The arrays are electrically coupled to a processor and display to integrate the infrared and color pixel elements into a view for a driver of the automobile.