Abstract: A readout electronics scheme is under development for high resolution, compact PET (positron emission tomography) imagers based on LSO (lutetium ortho-oxysilicate, Lu2SiO5) scintillator and avalanche photodiode (APD) arrays. The key is to obtain sufficient timing and energy resolution at a low power level, less than about 30 mW per channel, including all required functions. To this end, a simple leading edge level crossing discriminator is used, in combination with a transimpedance preamplifier. The APD used has a gain of order 1,000, and an output noise current of several pA/{square root}Hz, allowing bipolar technology to be used instead of CMOS, for increased speed and power efficiency. A prototype of the preamplifier and discriminator has been constructed, achieving timing resolution of 1.5 ns FWHM, 2.7 ns full width at one tenth maximum, relative to an LSO/PMT detector, and an energy resolution of 13.6% FWHM at 511 keV, while operating at a power level of 22 mW per channel.

Abstract: An ion injecting apparatus has an ion source, a mass-analyzing magnet, an accelerating/decelerating element, and deflecting elements. The mass analyzing magnet mass-analyzes an ion beam extracted from the ion source. The accelerating/de-celerating element accelerates and decelerates the ion beam at a post-stage. The deflecting elements are arranged between the mass analyzing magnet and the accelerating/decelerating element. Each direction angle of the deflecting element is determined such that a final beam trajectory in the predetermined area before being introduced into a wafer substrate is matched to each other in both an operating mode and a non-operating mode of the deflecting elements.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of expandable polyvinylarene particles in which compact polyvinylarene particles are impregnated by an inorganic N2- and/or O2-containing gas at a temperature below 95° C. and at a pressure of 100 to 2,000 kPa gauge.

Abstract: A supported catalyst for olefin polymerization comprises a combination of a novel metal oxide support and an activator which is an aluminoxane or a boron activator. The novel metal oxide support of this invention is a conventional particulate metal oxide support material (such as silica or alumina) which has been treated with a halosulfonic acid. A catalyst system which contains this novel catalyst support and a transition metal catalyst is highly active for olefin polymerization (in comparison to prior art catalyst systems which use a conventional metal oxide support).

Abstract: A supported catalyst for olefin polymerization comprises a combination of a sulfated metal oxide support, an aluminoxane and an organometallic complex of a group 4 metal. The sulfated metal oxide may be quickly and conveniently prepared by, for example, contacting the precursor metal oxide with a sulfuric acid. The supported catalyst of this invention is highly active for olefin polymerization in comparison to conventional catalysts which are prepared with non-sulfated supports.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for optical measurements in multi-layer structures to determine the properties of at least some of the layers. The structure is patterned by removing layer materials within a measurement site of the structure from the top layer to the lowermost layer of interest. Optical measurements are sequentially applied to the layers, by illuminating a measurement area in the layer under measurements, when the layer material above said layer under measurements is removed, thereby obtaining measured data portions for the at least some of the layers, respectively. The properties of each of the at least some layers are calculated, by analyzing the measured data portion of the lowermost layer, and then sequentially interpreting the measured data portions of all the other layers towards the uppermost layer, while utilizing for each layer the calculation results of the one or more underlying layers.

Abstract: A method for measuring at least one desired characteristic of a patterned article is presented. The article is of a kind containing a plurality of different pattern elements located at different sites, each including a stack of layers. An optical model is provided, which is based on a set of parameters corresponding to predetermined characteristics of the article, and is capable of generating theoretical data indicative of spectral response of the article. The set of parameters includes parameters corresponding to geometrical characteristics of the pattern elements. Reference data is prepared containing a plurality of sets of parameters for at least some of the different pattern elements. A spectral measurement of light response is carried out at a selected site of the patterned article and measured data is generated.

Abstract: A wafer carrying system includes an intermediate cassette device having a plurality of wafer support holders, a robot arm device to carry wafers, an aligner unit to align the wafers, and a wafer feed and storage cassette. The wafers held by the robot arm device are transferred to the aligner unit are aligned in the intermediate cassette device, and are then directly delivered from the aligner unit to the wafer support holders of the intermediate cassette device.

Abstract: Composition containing polyvinylarene polymer particles, which particles are bound to each other by a binder composition based on a silicate and an organic polymer having a weight average molecular weight of at least 500,000 g/mol, as measured in accordance with gel permeation chromatography. The invention furthermore relates to a process for the preparation of such compositions, to the binder composition per se and to a kit of parts.

Abstract: A buffer station for an article handling system, the handling system having a general path along which it moves when handling the article, the buffer station including at least two supporting assemblies including supporting elements forming a supporting plane each capable of supporting an article within the supporting plane and located so as to support the article within the general path, at least two receptacles for liquid in which the at least two supporting assemblies are disposed, and at least two drivers associated with the at least two supporting assemblies and the receptacles for shifting them in and out of the general path.

Abstract: A method for determining the orientation of a pattern on the surface of an object relative to the object. The pattern comprises an array of generally perpendicular grid lines intersecting at grid junctions, and the object comprises a marker located at an edge thereof. The method comprises: determining the directions of the grid lines relative to the direction of the reference coordinate system, determining the direction of object's orientation axis relative to the direction of the reference coordinate system, and determining the orientation of the grid lines relative to the object's orientation axis. The step of determining the direction of object's orientation axis comprises the steps of determining a location of the geometrical center of the object in the reference coordinate system and detecting and determining a location of the marker in the reference coordinate system.

Abstract: The space time yield of a gas phase reactor, particularly a polyethylene reactor may be increased by replacing at least 80 weight % of the ballast gas with a gas having a higher heat capacity than the ballast gas. Preferably the gas replacing the ballast gas is a stream of dilute ethylene having a high concentration of ethane.

Abstract: An imaging method and system are presented for detecting the topography of a sample surface. Illuminating light is directed to the sample by sequentially passing the illuminating light through a grating and an objective lens arrangement The grating has a pattern formed by spaced-apart transparent regions spaced by non-transparent regions, and is specifically oriented with respect to the optical axis of the objective lens arrangement. Light, specularly reflected from the sample, is collected by the same objective lens arrangement and is directed to an imaging detector through the same grating, thereby enabling creation of an image of the illuminated sample indicative of the topography of the sample surface.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Tricyrtis formosana plant characterized by a vigorous habit, gold colored leaves and purple spotted flowers.

Abstract: Porous polyvinylarene particles having a apparent density do of 600 to 200 kg/m3, which particles contain a nucleating agent and 2.0% by weight or less, based on the amount of polyvinylarene, of a volatile organic blowing agent. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of these particles as well as to the use of these particles in the preparation of expanded particles and foamed articles.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Pulmonaria plant characterized by a compact habit and large, showy, medium blue colored flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Tiarella characterized a distinct leaf form and coloration.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Tricyrtis formosana plant characterized by a vigorous habit, gold colored leaves and purple spotted flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Tiarella characterized a distinct leaf form and coloration.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of x Heucherella plant characterized by its distinctive lacy, dark foliage, compact habit, and striking white flowers on dark peduncles.