Abstract: An X-ray tube (3) is rotated about its focal point along a plane perpendicular to a body axis of a patient by an X-ray tube rotation driver and thus the X-ray irradiation field moves. When the side of the X-ray irradiation field reaches an edge detector (6a) in the edge part of the flat panel detector, the edge detector detects X-ray and provides a signal to a controller. The controller controls the X-ray limiting device (4a) to move shield blades thereof to limit the range of the X-ray irradiation field. The above structure makes it possible to move the center of the X-ray irradiation field without moving the patient and also to prevent the X-ray irradiation field from going outside of the flat panel detector.

Abstract: An optical switch using Risley prisms and rotary microactuators to independently rotate the wedge prisms of each Risley prism pair is disclosed. The optical switch comprises an array of input Risley prism pairs that selectively redirect light beams from a plurality of input ports to an array of output Risley prism pairs that similarly direct the light beams to a plurality of output ports. Each wedge prism of each Risley prism pair can be independently rotated by a variable-reluctance stepping rotary microactuator that is fabricated by a multi-layer LIGA process. Each wedge prism can be formed integral to the annular rotor of the rotary microactuator by a DXRL process.

Abstract: To provide a small and lightweight optical switching element with a simple structure capable of fast response, and an optical switching apparatus employing the optical switching element. Optical extraction unit contacts an upper substrate with electrostatic attraction generated between a transparent electrode of the optical extraction unit and a transparent electrode of the upper substrate. In the case that light enters one V-shaped trench of the upper substrate vertically, the light enters the optical extraction unit of the upper substrate and is emitted from a back of the optical extraction unit (a tapered unit). Subsequently, the incident light P1 passes through a lower substrate and is converted into transmission light. With electrostatic attraction generated between a transparent electrode of the lower substrate and a transparent electrode of the optical extraction unit, the optical extraction unit is attracted to a lower substrate side.

Abstract: The profile lines of plate-like grid electrodes are formed by a first punching step and separation lines of the plate-like grid electrodes are formed by a subsequent punching step. The angle of a crossing portion formed by the profile line and the separation line is set to not less than 70 degrees and not more than 110 degrees. Due to such a constitution, burrs on the plate-like grid electrode which constitutes an electron gun of a color cathode ray tube can be reduced so that the quality of the cathode ray tube can be enhanced and the manufacturing time of the cathode ray tube can be shortened.

Abstract: A method for switching signals using one of a plurality of mirrors in an array structure. The method includes determining an optical path to be formed between an input fiber and an output fiber. The method also includes determining a set of mirrors to be used to form the optical path. The set of mirrors includes at least a first mirror. The first mirror is coupled to a mechanical spring assembly and an actuation assembly. The method captures an analog signal indicative of a spatial position of the first mirror using a position sensing device. The sensing device is coupled to the mirror. The method also converts the signal analog signal into a digital signal. The method processes the digital signal indicative of the spatial position of the mirror using the digital signal processing device to obtain a characteristic of the mirror. The method provides a control signal based upon the characteristic of the mirror. The converts the control signal into an analog control signal.

Abstract: Arrayed Waveguide Grating with Reduced Crosstalk An Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) having reduced adjacent crosstalk is described. Interspersed ones (21) of the output waveguides of the AWG are of different widths to the remaining output waveguides (23), along corresponding portions of their lengths, preferably in at least an initial portion of the fan-out region. Passband unifonmity is maintained by making all the output waveguides substantially of the same width at the output slab coupler. In the illustrative embodiment, alternate ones of the plurality of output waveguides are tapered to a narrower width (W2) between first and second portions (22,24) thereof and the remaining ones of the output waveguides are of a substantially uniform width (W1) between corresponding first and second portions thereof.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an X-ray producing device, including: an X-ray tube; a cathode disposed in the X-ray tube to produce a stream of electrons; and a spherical anode disposed in the X-ray tube to have impinged on a point thereon the stream of electrons and to produce thereby a stream of X-rays.

Abstract: Microlithography apparatus and methods are disclosed for achieving high-resolution pattern transfer of a pattern onto a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer, using extreme ultraviolet (EUV, also termed soft X-ray) radiation. The apparatus include an imaging-optical system (projection-optical system) capable of receiving pattern-encoding EUV light from a mask and forming an image of the pattern on the substrate. The desired wavelength of the EUV light is 20 nm to 50 nm, and the imaging-optical system includes multiple reflective mirrors having aspherical surficial profiles and multilayer-film reflective surfaces. The apparatus are configured especially to achieve a pattern-element resolution, of the projected image, of 70 nm or finer.

Abstract: An optical fiber distribution panel assembly wherein a panel holding fiber connector blocks is pivotably mounted to a base member about a horizontal axis. Fibers exiting an optical switching module supported on the base member are routed up the sides of the panel and terminatd at appropriate ones of the fiber connector blocks. Excess slack fiber is coiled and placed on fiber takeup saddles secured to a panel overlying the connector block field. A cover panel overlies the saddle-holding panel to complete the assembly.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes a light-emitting tube having a pair of electrodes therein, a base in which the light-emitting tube is fixed, and a base contact pin terminal supported by the base with one end thereof projecting from the base. The base contact pin terminal is electrically connected to an electrode lead wire drawn from the light-emitting tube. The base is provided with a first power-conducting member including the base contact pin terminal having a lead plate, a connecting terminal having a lead plate and connected to the electrode lead wire, and a thermal protection element connected to the lead plate of the base contact pin terminal and the lead plate of the connecting terminal. The manufacturing processes of a fluorescent lamp provided with a thermal fuse are simplified and can be performed easily.

Abstract: In a method for the operation of a CT apparatus with which volume data for a volume region of an examination subject are registered, markings for identifying reconstruction regions are mixed into an x-ray shadowgram containing the volume region. The reconstruction of image data with respect to each reconstruction region ensues taking reconstruction parameters allocated to the respective reconstruction region into consideration.

Abstract: A device for determining exposure values in an X-ray panoramic and/or cephalometric apparatus (20) for imaging patient's head (3). The apparatus comprises adjustable support means (11) provided with support elements (1a, 1b) with a variable spacing (W1) therebetween, and said support means being adapted for positioning against the patient's head prior to exposure. A sensor (2) is connected to said support elements and it provides an electrical output proportional to the dimension (W2) of the patient's head therebetween. An exposure control means (10) adjust the tube current and/or the tube voltage of the X-ray tube and/or the exposure time to be at one of a plurality of predetermined levels.

Abstract: A grating that includes a multilayer structure that has alternating layers of materials, a plurality of grooves formed between a plurality of lands, wherein at least one structural parameter of the plurality of grooves and plurality of lands is formed randomly in the multilayer structure.

Abstract: In a method for examining a body region of an examination subject executing a periodic motion with a CT apparatus having a multi-line detector system in spiral mode, the X-ray source is activated and deactivated for the emission of X-rays substantially synchronously with the periodic motion so that the X-ray source is activated only during a phase of the periodic motion to be imaged with the CT apparatus.

Abstract: An X-ray focusing apparatus comprises a waveguide (3) closely coupled to an X-ray focusing mirror (5). The mirror comprises an interior reflecting surface having a rotational axis of symmetry. The waveguide may comprise a tapered polycapillary lens.

Abstract: In a method for imaging in digital dental radioscopy making use of a sensor array, the individual image elements of which are smaller than a desired local resolution so that a plurality of image elements forms a respective effective image element, first reference signals, which are generated by the image elements of the sensor array when said sensor array is not exposed to X-radiation, are initially detected. In addition, second reference signals, which are generated by the image elements of the sensor array when said sensor array is exposed to X-radiation, are detected. Subsequently, defective image elements are determined on the basis of the detected first and second reference signals, whereupon an image of an object is produced using exclusively the image elements that have been determined as being non-defective.

Abstract: A system and method of computer tomography imaging using a cerium-doped lutetium orthosilicate scintillator are provided. The system includes a high frequency electromagnetic energy projection source to project high frequency energy toward an object, such as a patient. A scintillator array having a plurality of cerium-doped lutetium orthosilicate scintillators therein receives the high frequency energy attenuated by the object and emits light energy based on the attenuated energy received. A photodiode array including a plurality of photodiodes is optically-coupled to the scintillator array and configured to detect the light energy and discharge output to a data processing system to produce a visual display. Each scintillator of the scintillator array is formed into a transparent glass ceramic having a high crystalline phase by combing glass-forming compounds in a glass forming system.

Abstract: A positioning arrangement has a positioning element formed of a closed-cell foam, preferably a positioning mat, the positioning element has a seating surface for an examination subject to be examined with computed tomography and has an underside provided with a recess into which a reference member can be introduced. The recess has a holder for the reference member that holds the reference member introduced into the recess with a positive fit in a defined position relative to the seating surface.

Abstract: A therapeutic radiation source includes a spiral-shaped, laser-heated thermionic cathode. A fiber optic cable directs a beam of radiation, having a power level sufficient to heat at least a portion of the electron-emissive surface to an electron emitting temperature, from a laser source onto the cathode. The cathode generates an electron beam along a beam path by thermionic emission, and strikes a target positioned in its beam path. The target includes radiation emissive material that emits therapeutic radiation in response to incident accelerated electrons from the electron beam. The spiral-shaped conductive element has a plurality of spaced apart turns, and is disposed in a vacuum. An interstitial spacing is defined between adjacent turns, so that heat transfer across the spacing between each adjacent turn is essentially eliminated, thereby substantially reducing heat loss in the cathode caused by thermal conduction.

Abstract: Before a CT scan for a patient, a model that shows transmission lengths of the patient at rotation angles of an X-ray source is stored in a memory. At the CT scan, X-ray tube currents are controlled according to the transmission lengths at the rotation angles in order to apply X-rays to the patient. The three-dimensional model is homogenous and its material is similar to that of the patient's body, and transmission lengths of the three-dimensional model are converted into those of the patient. The model is acquired by a scannography in a single direction or a CT helical scanning with a small X-ray dose. This reduces the X-ray dose applied to the patient.