Abstract: A system and method for determining the shielding thickness of a detected radiation source. The gamma ray spectrum of a radiation detector is utilized to estimate the shielding between the detector and the radiation source. The determination of the shielding may be used to adjust the information from known source-localization techniques to provide improved performance and accuracy of locating the source of radiation.

Abstract: A laser-based mono-energetic gamma-ray source is used to provide a rapid and unique, isotope specific method for sorting materials. The objects to be sorted are passed on a conveyor in front of a MEGa-ray beam which has been tuned to the nuclear resonance fluorescence transition of the desired material. As the material containing the desired isotope traverses the beam, a reduction in the transmitted MEGa-ray beam occurs. Alternately, the laser-based mono-energetic gamma-ray source is used to provide non-destructive and non-intrusive, quantitative determination of the absolute amount of a specific isotope contained within pipe as part of a moving fluid or quasi-fluid material stream.

Abstract: A Mossbauer spectrometer 1A uses a configuration including: a stage 10 for holding a sample S; a ?-ray irradiating unit 15 for supplying measurement ? rays; ?-ray converging unit 18 for irradiating the sample S with the measurement ? rays in a converging manner; an electron detector 20, having an opening through which the measurement ? rays are passed and being configured so that a surface on a side of the stage 10 is used as an electron incident surface, for detecting internal conversion electrons from the target substance in the sample S in which the measurement ? rays are absorbed in resonance; an irradiation position moving unit for two-dimensionally moving an irradiation position of the measurement ? rays with respect to the sample S within an XY plane; and an energy selecting voltage applying unit for selecting energy of the electrons detected by the electron detector 20 by applying voltage to the electron incident surface of the electron detector 20 so that a potential of the electron incident surface

Abstract: System and method for radiographic imaging of tissue using a non-radioactive, radio-opaque imaging agent that accumulates intracellularly in tissue in proportion to its functional, or physiological, activity. In one embodiment, the imaging agent is a cell-membrane permeable, radio-opaque, high affinity ligand for the intracellular enzyme hexokinase. The imaging agent is administered to a patient, and after an accumulation interval, radiographic images are acquired. The imaging agent preferentially accumulates in malignant tissue and increases its radio-opacity because of its elevated glucose metabolic rate relative to benign and normal tissue. The tissue being examined is transilluminated by X-ray beams with preselected different mean energy spectra, and a separate radiographic image is acquired during transillumination by each beam. An image processing system performs a weighted combination of the acquired images to produce a single displayed image.

Abstract: An X-ray analysis device (1) having an X-ray source (2) for illuminating a sample (6) with X-radiation (4), a sample support for receiving the sample (6) and a detector (12,14) for detecting the diffracted or scattered X-radiation or fluorescent X-radiation (4′) emitted by the sample, wherein an X-ray optical construction element of semi-conductor material having a plurality of channels which are essentially transparent to X-radiation (4,4′) is provided in the path of rays between the X-ray source (2) and the detector (12,14), is characterized in that the X-ray optical construction element comprises a semi-conductor wafer (20;30a;30b;40;50) into which micropores (21;31;41) are etched which extend essentially in parallel in the direction of the rays and have diameters of 0.1 to 100 &mgr;m, preferably 0.5 and 20 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for assessing the condition of a cartilage in a joint, particularly a human knee. The methods include converting an image such as an MRI to a three dimensional map of the cartilage. The cartilage map can be correlated to a movement pattern of the joint to assess the affect of movement on cartilage wear. Changes in the thickness of cartilage over time can be determined so that therapies can be provided. Information on thickness of cartilage and curvature of cartilage or subchondral bone can be used to plan therapy. Information on movement pattern can be used to plan therapy.

Abstract: A technique for detecting explosives using resonance fluorescence of bremsstrahlung radiation is disclosed. The method is particularly attractive as a way to detect bombs at airports and other transportation terminals. According to the invention, bremsstrahlung radiation is made incident on a target (e.g., a piece of luggage) to resonantly excite the atoms of the target. In one embodiment, the energies of the photons scattered directly from the target are detected and measured. These energies are characteristic of the nuclear species excited in the target, and thus the concentrations of these elements in the target can be determined. A high concentration of nitrogen and oxygen with a low concentration of carbon indicates practically without fail an explosive material. In another embodiment, the energies of photons resonantly scattered from reference scatterers composed substantially of nuclear species of interest and located downstream from the target are detected and measured.

Abstract: A method for the detection of a nitrogenous explosive material in an object is provided which makes use of nuclear resonance absorption. The object to be tested is placed between a 9.17 MeV .gamma.-rays source and an .gamma.-rays detector holding a nitrogen medium. The total and the non-resonant attenuation of the .gamma.-rays flux is read by the detector and fed into a recorder. From the measured attenuation the net non-resonant attenuation is calculated and the amount of a nitrogenous explosive present in the object is determined therefrom.Also provided by the invention is a system for detecting a nitrogenous explosive in an object.

Abstract: Frequency selective radiation therapy providing selective tissue damage or necrosis by irradiating a component element of the target tissue at the corresponding Mossbauer absorption frequency. The component radiation absorption at the Mossbauer absorption frequency is thus enhanced many times over the absorption of the surrounding tissue having a different Mossbauer absorption frequency. The energy thusly absorbed by the target tissue component is converted to and remitted as Auger electrons, which provide intranuclear radiation resulting in lethal double strand breaks in the DNA molecules of the target tissue. The therapy is administered in frequency and tissue selective modes of treatment, and may be combined with conventional chemotherapeutic agents to provide a further enhanced treatment modality. Moreover, the source frequency can be adjusted to enhance the killing effect.

Abstract: Frequency selective radiation therapy providing selective tissue damage or necrosis by irradiating a component element of the target tissue at the corresponding Mossbauer absorption frequency. The component radiation absorption at the Mossbauer absorption frequency is thus enhanced many times over the absorption of the surrounding tissue having a different Mossbauer absorption frequency. The energy thusly absorbed by the target tissue component is converted to and remitted as Auger electrons, which provide intranuclear radiation resulting in lethal double strand breaks in the DNA molecules of the target tissue. The therapy is administered in frequency and tissue selective modes of treatment, and may be combined with conventional chemotherapeutic agents to provide a further enhanced treatment modality. Moreover, the source frequency can be adjusted to enhance the killing effect.

Abstract: A meter system and method for measuring the velocity and metal concentration of a fluid containing a gamma ray absorbing metal isotope flowing in a pipe. The meter system comprises a radioactive source of gamma rays which is oscillated in a direction angled to the fluid flow, an accelerometer device incorporated with the gamma ray source, gamma ray detector means located adjacent a pipe portion for detecting the presence of a metal isotope in the flowing fluid, and an electrical circuit and meter means arranged for measuring and displaying the velocity of the oscillating source of gamma rays when the metal isotope in the flowing fluid is absorbing gamma radiation. If desired, the concentration of gamma ray absorbing isotopes such as iron compounds contained in the flowing fluid can be monitored by a counter means to measure the metal concentration of the fluid, or ash concentration of a flowing coal-derived liquid.

Abstract: A versatile focusing radiation analyzer for EXAFS, fluorescence EXAFS, Raman or modified Compton scattering, diffraction, Rayleigh scattering and other experiments is comprised of a concave focusing element (10) placed at the end of a central arm (11) pivoted at the center (24) of a circle (21). Side arms (12, 13) are also pivoted at the center (24). A platform (17) supports an X-ray source (50, 61, 66) or a sample (16) at the end of one side arm (12) while a platform (23) supports a detector (22, 63, 66), sample (51) and detector (52) or Mossbauer source (80). Constraining bars (14, 15) attached to the side arms and to a slide (29) in a slot (30) cause one side arm (13) to maintain an angle (.theta.) with the center arm equal to the angle of the other side arm (12) with the center arm as the center arm is driven relative to that side arm by suitable means (25-28).