Abstract: The invention concerns measurements in which light interacts with matter to generate light intensity changes, and spectrophotometer devices of the invention provide ultrasensitive measurements. Light source noise in these measurements can be reduced in accordance with the invention. Exemplary embodiments of the invention use sealed housings lacking an internal light source. In some embodiments a substantially solid thermally conductive housing is used. Other embodiments include particular reflection based sample and reference cells. One embodiment includes a prism including an interaction surface, a detector, a lens that focuses a prism beam output onto the detector, and a closed interaction volume for delivering gas or liquid to the interaction surface. Another embodiment replaces a prism with a reflective surface. Another embodiment replaces a prism with a scattering matte surface.

Abstract: A CsX:Eu phosphor produced by heating a cesium halide with a Europium compound containing one or more halides selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br and I. Preferably the Europium compound is selected from the group consisting of EuX′2, and EuX′3 and EuX′, X′ being one or more halides selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br and I. The invention also includes novel phosphors having properties inherent to the manufacturing process as well as other phosphors containing a mixture of Br and Cl in the cesium halide, europium doped phosphor. A method for preparing a binderless phosphor screen using these phosphors and a method for recording and reproducing an X-ray image using such screens are also disclosed.

Abstract: Process for recycle and reuse of soil, sludge, sand, or rock containing: (a) at least about 16 wt % calcium oxide, about 5 wt % silica, about 1 wt % alumina, about 0.5 wt % Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, or about 0.76 wt % magnesia; and (b) at least about 5 ppm arsenic, about 100 ppm barium, about 1 ppm cadmium, about 5 ppm chromium, about 5 ppm lead, about 0.2 ppm mercury, about 1 ppm selenium, or about 5 ppm silver. The process comprising mixing the soil, sludge, sand, or rock with an amount of inorganic constituents to form a raw material mix having a chemical composition suitable for the manufacture of Portland cement, charging the slurry to a cement kiln, heating the slurry in the kiln to a temperature sufficient to form a cement clinker, and removing the cement clinker from the rotary kiln.