Abstract: In order to ensure that an electromagnetic field lens is capable of high-resolution observation using a magnetic field lens without leakage of magnetic flux, there is provided a magnetic field superimposing-type lens 1 for focusing an electron beam onto a sample 3 so as to irradiate the sample 3 is provided with an upper magnetic pole 213 a long way from the sample 3 and a lower side magnetic pole 214 close to the sample 3, with electrical insulation being provided between the upper magnetic pole 213 and the lower magnetic pole 214 by a ferrite insulator 215 provided between the upper magnetic pole 213 and the lower magnetic pole 214 in an integral manner with the magnetic poles so that the upper magnetic pole 213 and the lower magnetic pole 214 may be held at different potentials. There is therefore no leak in flux from between the upper magnetic pole 213 and the lower-magnetic pole 214, the chromatic aberration coefficient Cc can be made small, and high-resolution observation of the sample can be achieved.

Abstract: A probe scanning device has a first tubular member extending in a z direction. A second tubular member has a rear end portion extending into the first tubular member to define a space between an inner peripheral surface portion of the first tubular member and an outer peripheral surface portion of the second tubular member. A probe tip is mounted on a front end portion of the second tubular member. A viscous material is disposed in the space between the first tubular member and the second tubular member. A moving mechanism reciprocally moves the first tubular member in an xy direction, and a voice coil motor drives the second tubular member towards the first tubular member in the z direction. A drive mechanism has a coarse adjustment mode for coarsely moving the probe tip toward a surface of a sample and a measurement mode for fine movement of the probe tip in the z direction to maintain a given relationship between relative positions of the probe tip and the sample surface after coarse movement.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a calorimeter for converting a quite small amount of heat into an electrical signal, especially a radiation detector providing improved energy resolution and count rate, by using a superconducting transition edge. The calorimeter has an absorber for absorbing radiation and producing heat. This absorber is formed on a resistor whose resistance value is varied by the heat. The resistor is formed on a membrane that controls escape of the heat. The calorimeter is characterized in that it is further fitted with a heat dissipation device for letting active electrons produced in the calorimeter escape to the outside.

Abstract: In order to provide means for suppressing vibration of a balance arm of a thermogravity apparatus when changing a sample at low cost and with a minimal footprint, there is therefore provided a balance arm having a sample holder, a detector for detecting an amount of shift of the balance arm from an equilibrium position, a control circuit for carrying out feedback control towards the equilibrium position of the balance arm, a driver for driving the balance arm towards the equilibrium position, an exchange stage detector for detecting when a sample is being changed, and a fixed output holding circuit for maintaining the output of the driver at a fixed level while the exchange stage is indicated by the exchange stage detector, wherein output of the driver is fixed during the sample exchange stage.

Abstract: An ICP analyzer has a nebulizer for nebulizing a sample fluid for the purpose of analyzing microscopic impurities within the sample fluid, a plasma torch for introducing nebulized spray into a plasma, and a spray chamber disposed between the nebulizer and the plasma torch for separating spray comprised of microscopic particles from the nebulized spray prior to introduction thereof into the plasma torch. A heating section is provided at a central portion of the spray chamber and a cooling section is provided at a peripheral section of the spray chamber, and the spray is passed between the heating section and the cooling section to improve the efficiency sample introduction into the plasma to enable highly sensitive analysis by suppressing the proportion of a solvent component that reaches the plasma torch.

Abstract: A composite comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes and aromatic polyamide, can be made by suspending single-wall carbon nanotubes in an acid to form a nanotube-acid mixture, adding an aromatic polyamide to the nanotube-acid mixture and dispersing the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the polyamide to form a single-wall carbon nanotube-polyamide dope. The dope can be spun into a fiber or formed into a film. Acid can be removed from the composite. A preferred polyamide is poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide). Carbon nanotube-aromatic polyamide composites can be used in applications requiring material having high tensile strength and modulus, such as, structural reinforcement materials, protective elements in ballistic protection applications wherein the composite material absorbs impact energy of projectiles, fragments, or other energetic particles. Ballistic protection applications include armor for personnel, structures and vehicles.

Abstract: A system and method for synthesizing nanopowder which provides for precursor material ablation from two opposing electrodes that are substantially axially aligned and spaced apart within a gaseous atmosphere, where a plasma is created by a high power pulsed electrical discharge between the electrodes, such pulse being of short duration to inertially confine the plasma, thereby creating a high temperature and high density plasma having high quench and/or reaction rates with the gaseous atmosphere for improved nanopowder synthesis.

Abstract: A method of producing nanocrystalline ceramic powder by creating a plasma stream in a reactor vessel, and physically converting a ceramic precursor material into ceramic particles suspended in the vessel, using the plasma stream. A metallic reactant may additionally be introduced into the vessel using the plasma stream, wherein the metallic reactant forms ceramic particles having the same composition as the ceramic particles of the physical converting step. The plasma stream is created using an electrothermal gun. The gun may use a ceramic barrel which is eroded by the plasma stream. Alternatively (or additionally), the ceramic precursor material may be injected as particulates into the plasma stream, wherein the ceramic precursor particulates are micron-sized or larger. A novel electrothermal gun design may optionally use a replaceable insert constructed of the ceramic precursor material.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing nanosized powders utilizes a hybrid exploding wire device containing a solid metal wire fuse in the bore of a tube that is open at each end. The ends of the fuse are connected to electrodes on the ends of the tube. The electrodes are designed to erode to maintain a heavy metal plasma. The bore may comprise a corresponding ceramic to be produced, and a microcrystalline powder of a corresponding ceramic may be retained within the bore. An electrical discharge vaporizes and ionizes the fuse. The tube confines the radial expansion of the plasma such that the plasma exits from both ends of the tube where it reacts with a suitable gas to form nanoscale particles. In addition, the plasma gas ablates and vaporizes a portion of the bore wall to contribute to the nanoceramic synthesis. Other alternatives include replacing the fuse with a thin conductive sheath or a consumable metal insert.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing nanosized powders utilizes a hybrid exploding wire device containing a solid metal wire fuse in the bore of a tube that is open at each end. The ends of the fuse are connected to electrodes on the ends of the tube. The electrodes are designed to erode to maintain a heavy metal plasma. The bore may comprise a corresponding ceramic to be produced, and a microcrystalline powder of a corresponding ceramic may be retained within the bore. An electrical discharge vaporizes and ionizes the fuse. The tube confines the radial expansion of the plasma such that the plasma exits from both ends of the tube where it reacts with a suitable gas to form nanoscale particles. In addition, the plasma gas ablates and vaporizes a portion of the bore wall to contribute to the nanoceramic synthesis. Other alternatives include replacing the fuse with a thin conductive sheath or a consumable metal insert.

Abstract: A pseudo-mechanical system in accordance with the invention comprises an electrical generator which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy to power the resistive heating of an ohmic electromechanical component, whose consequent form change is exploited to perform mechanical work.

Abstract: A pseudo-mechanical system in accordance with the invention comprises an electrical generator which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy to power the resistive heating of an ohmic electromechanical component, whose consequent form change is exploited to perform mechanical work.

Abstract: Compounds consisting of two or more fullerenes (e.g., a C.sub.60 dimer) and a film or powder which includes covalently linked fullerene molecules. Also disclosed is a fullerene film or powder with gas molecules or atoms uniformly disposed therein, as well as a method of diffusing gas molecules or atoms into or through a film or powder made of pristine fullerene molecules.