Abstract: The invention describes a method and apparatuses for characterizing groundwater measuring sites by differentiating between groundwater and static water and serves, for example, for determining the pumping-out times of groundwater measuring sites, optimum for investigations of the representative nature, as well as for identifying and localizing defects at groundwater measuring sites. The invention is based on measuring the radon activity concentration or the total activity concentration of the groundwater samples. The measurement of the concentrations by offline or online methods permits the ratio of groundwater to static water in a groundwater measuring site to be determined reliably. A novel flow-through measurement cell, as well as a borehole probe are described The invention can be employed wherever investigations of the nature of groundwater are carried out.

Abstract: A system for non-destructively imaging surfaces through a coating, in accordance with the present invention, includes a near-infrared (NIR) light source for illuminating a coated surface. A detector is positioned in an operative relationship with the NIR light source to receive light backscattered from the coated surface and from the coating. A gating device is positioned in an operative relationship with the detector to selectively permit light to pass to the detector to measure optical characteristics of the backscattered light such that determinations of a state of a surface below the coating is determined based on the optical characteristics of the backscattered light. Methods for performing the non-destructive imaging of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of obtaining an image signal, comprising the steps of preparing an image recording sheet having a stimulable phosphor layer which emits photostimulated luminescent light in a quantity corresponding to stored energy when irradiated with stimulating light, scanning the image recording sheet in horizontal and vertical scanning directions with the stimulating light, and obtaining the image signal by detecting the photostimulated luminescent light emitted by the scanning, with a solid-state image detector having a photoconductor. The signal, output from the solid-state image detector when scanning a non-image region other than an image recording region on the image recording sheet with the stimulating light, is detected as a correction signal. A non-image component, contained in a signal output from the solid-state image detector when scanning the image recording region with the stimulating light, is suppressed with the correction signal.

Abstract: A system is provided for scanning an object, the system comprising: a drive shaft having a proximal portion and a longitudinal axis; a motor including a motor shaft having a rotational axis, the motor serving to rotate the motor shaft about the rotational axis; a flexible joint coupling the drive shaft to the motor shaft by the proximal portion of the drive shaft, the flexible joint having a range of motion which allows the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft to move relative to the rotational axis of the motor shaft; and an object attached to the drive shaft which is movable along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft in response to the drive shaft being rotated by the motor. This system may be used in a drum scanner system and may be used to read storage layer radiation screens.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of radio-ecological monitoring, in particular to a method for measuring the content of radionuclides in components of the environment. The technical result is enhancement of the sensitivity of liquid scintillation analysis of radionuclides with low activity in the presence of radionuclides with high activity. Selection and preparation of a sample for measurements are carried out, the spectrum of the sample is measured and recorded, the measured spectrum Pi is grouped, model spectrum Mi=&Sgr;cj Mij, wherein cj designates relative contributions of base spectra of radionuclides in the model spectrum, is created on the basis of a library of base spectra of radionuclides Mij, where i is the No.

Abstract: Radiation doses ranging from a very weak level to a very high instantaneous level can be monitored real-time by, a differential and integral type of radiation measuring apparatus in a convenient and precise manner using a stimulable phosphor as a radiation detecting medium. The radiation detecting portion comprises in planar superposition a bundle of laterally radiating optical fibers, a stimulable phosphor, an optical filter centered at the wavelength of fluorescence, and a-bundle of wavelength shifting optical fibers sensitive to the wavelength of stimulated fluorescence. On the basis of two actions of the stimulable phosphor, one for emitting stimulated fluorescence in proportion to the dose of incident radiation upon illumination with exciting light and the other for emitting prompt fluorescence upon excitation by the incident radiation, the radiation detecting portion selectively detects stimulated fluorescence and prompt fluorescence at specified time intervals.

Abstract: A radiation image detector wherein a photostimulable phosphor screen, a source of stimulating light and an array of transducer elements are enclosed within an enclosure that is hermetically closed against humidity. In one embodiment the enclosure is flushed with an inert gas such as N2 gas.

Abstract: A device built-in in a housing and capable to determine a pressure force in a quantitative way has been provided, the device including a storage phosphor panel or plate having storage phosphors essentially having tribostimulable properties, thereby providing energy conversion of the phosphors by means of pressure force or pressure energy to be determined. The method of measuring the pressure energy has also been described.

Abstract: The system according to the invention uses cutting edge technologies such as Uncooled Staring Focal Plane detector Array, Hot Pressed Polycrystal Objective Lens, Helmet Mounted Display Using Transparent Image Combiner, and Neural Network Image Colorization and Recognition to dramatically enhance the system performance and reduce the weight and cost. The helmet mounted infrared imaging system can: Detect and recognize flames, humans and other objects, Reduce the weight of the helmet components (including camera head and combiner) to less than 0.5 pounds, View simultaneously visible and invisible surroundings without hindering operations. Operate the imaging system hands-off; and Transmit the imaging data to and receive the map from a remote sight. Alternative Embodiment In an alternative embodiment, the infrared camera is mounted centered in front of the display.

Abstract: A surface state monitoring method and apparatus for performing in-situ monitoring of surface states of semiconductor substrates. The apparatus comprises condensing means 30 for condensing infrared radiation to an outer peripheral part of the substrate-to-be-monitored; control means 80 for controlling an incident angle of the infrared radiation condensed by the condensing means 30; condensing means 40 for condensing the infrared radiation which has undergone multiple reflection in the substrate-to-be-monitored; detecting means 50 for detecting the infrared radiation condensed by the infrared radiation condensing means 40, and analyzing means 60 for analyzing the detected infrared radiation detected and measuring contaminants staying on the surfaces of the substrate-to-be-monitored.

Abstract: In an energetic-beam detection apparatus having a selenium detector which includes a substrate and an energetic-beam absorber being formed on the substrate and containing selenium, a temperature detecting unit detects a temperature of the selenium detector, and a temperature control unit controls the temperature of the selenium detector so that the temperature is maintained in a predetermined range when the selenium detector is in operation. Alternatively, when the temperature of the selenium detector is outside a predetermined range, an operation suppressing unit suppresses the operation of the selenium detector, or a notification unit notifies a user of the deviation of the temperature of the selenium detector from the predetermined range.

Abstract: In a radiation image storage panel composed of a stimulable phosphor layer which gives stimulated emission upon irradiation with stimulating rays and a protective film provided thereon, and optionally further a back protective film, a transparent support film, and an undercoating layer, the protective film contains electroconductive acicular fine particles, has a surface electric resistivity of 1014&OHgr; or less, and shows a transmittance of 70% or more at a peak wavelength of the stimulated emission.

Abstract: Infrared solid-state imaging elements include an infrared absorbing section formed as to correspond to each pixel aligned in a two-dimensional pattern for absorbing incident infrared radiation and converting the same into heat. A temperature detector section is formed as to correspond to each pixel on a semiconductor substrate and are arranged of a plurality of serially connected silicon pn junction diodes that are biased in a forward direction. A hollow section is formed on each region on which the temperature detector section is formed on the semiconductor substrate. Supporting mechanisms are arranged of materials exhibiting large thermal resistance and which support the temperature detector portion above the hollow section on the semiconductor substrate. A joint column thermally couples the infrared absorbing section and the temperature detector section.

Abstract: A positron emission detection scanner includes a first plurality of detecting elements arranged in a first two dimensional geometrical array, the detecting elements defining a first detection surface oriented for receiving radiant energy stimulus incident thereto. The detecting elements each have a second surface for communicating light from a scintillation event occurring in response to receiving a radiant energy stimulus. A light transmitting member is provided for receiving light from the scintillation events from each of the detecting elements. A second plurality of light sensing members is arranged in a second two dimensional geometrical array, different from the first geometrical array, the alignment of the light sensing members is independent of the detecting elements.

Abstract: A method and system for processing data in a PET scanner is provided, in which a projection plane data set is converted into a two-dimensional sinogram data set. The method includes (1) selecting a subset of projection plane data from the projection plane data set, (2) performing a set of Fourier transforms, respectively, on a plurality of data rows within the subset of projection plane data to obtain a transformed data set, and (3) performing an additional set of Fourier transforms on the transformed data set to obtain intermediate results. The additional set of Fourier transforms includes a plurality of individual Fourier transforms respectively corresponding to a plurality of combinations of at least two indices.

Abstract: A small array of antenna-coupled infrared bolometer detectors is connected in parallel. This small array is suitable as an individual area-receiving pixel of an infrared focal plane array. These pixels will have better coupling efficiency to extended sources than are possible with individual antenna-coupled sensors, which have a spatial response on the order of one wavelength in dimension. This pixel can be used to provide the advantages of antenna-coupled IR sensors (e.g., fast response, wavelength tuning, and polarization tuning) while increasing the collection efficiency of the sensors to non-laser sources. When integrated into focal plane arrays, these detectors can be used in remote-sensing systems to facilitate enhanced image recognition, feature extraction and image-clutter removal.

Abstract: A radiation image detecting system includes a solid radiation detector formed of a first conductive layer which is transparent to recording radiations, a recording photoconductive layer which exhibits photoconductivity upon exposure to the recording radiations passing through the first conductive layer, a charge transfer layer which acts substantially as an insulator to electric charges of the same polarity as that in which the first conductive layer is charged and as a conductor to electric charges reverse to that in which the first conductive layer is charged, a read-out photoconductive layer which exhibits photoconductivity upon exposure to read-out electromagnetic waves, and a second conductive layer which is transparent to the read-out electromagnetic waves. These layers are superposed one on another in this order. A radiation absorbing member which is formed of material absorbent of the recording radiations is provided on the second conductive layer side of the solid radiation detector.

Abstract: Single crystals of (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2.6H2O represent an excellent material for filtering UV light and in an enclosed system will not deteriorate at temperatures as high as 125° C. They are particularly useful in solar-blind optical systems and sensing devices, which seek to identify the presence of UV light sources in the UV missile warning band.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for imaging a planetary surface region of interest (ROI). In a primary application, a plurality of space vehicles having antennas mounted thereupon are utilized to collect thermal radiation emitted from the ROI and generate corresponding thermal emission signals. Such thermal emission signals may be combined to yield one or more simple interferometric fringes. The simple fringes may be employed to yield a pixel image of the ROI. In one aspect, one or more simple interferometric fringes may be utilized to generate one or more compound interferometric fringes for use in formation of the pixel image. One or more compound fringes may be utilized to generate additional levels of compound fringes for use in formation of the pixel image.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for imaging a planetary surface region of interest (ROI). In a primary application, a plurality of space vehicles having antennas mounted thereupon are utilized to collect thermal radiation emitted from the ROI and generate corresponding thermal emission signals. Such thermal emission signals may be combined to yield one or more simple interferometric fringes. The simple fringes may be employed to yield a pixel image of the ROI. In one aspect, one or more simple interferometric fringes may be utilized to generate one or more compound interferometric fringes for use in formation of the pixel image. One or more compound fringes may be utilized to generate additional levels of compound fringes for use in formation of the pixel image.