Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting X-rays for obtaining improved radiographic images including a step of orienting a semiconductor radiation detector whose height is greater than its thickness. The orienting step comprises a selection of an acute angle between a direction of incident radiation and a side of said detector having said height such that said incident radiation mainly hit the side of said radiation detector. The hit area excludes at least a section between at least one edge of said detector and at least an active sensor area and that substantially all of the energy of the radiation is dissipated within the detector.

Abstract: A robot for imaging and excision of two-dimensional fluorescent gels. An array detector is mounted in the roof of the robot to image down onto a gel dish placed on a light table. Fluorescence is excited by illuminating the light table from below with light emitting diodes mounted under the main bed of the apparatus. It is therefore possible to perform gel fluorescence analysis and coring (excision) using the same machine. The integration is based on a transmission mode optical design, distinct from prior art scanners and imagers which are based on reflection mode designs. This approach allows the conventional layout of a microarraying or picking robot to be maintained, avoiding unnecessary redesign of other robot functions associated with well plate and container handling. The apparatus may also be used for contrast imaging of non-fluorescent gels.

Abstract: A calibration assembly employs a thermoelectric cooler to provide a calibration temperature for one calibration flag and a different calibration temperature for a second calibration flag. Either calibration flag is immediately available for insertion into the optical path when calibration of the thermal imaging device is required. Consequently, the time required to calibrate a thermal imaging device within a thermal imaging system is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel composed of a substrate and a phosphor film of a stimulable phosphor which is composed of a mother component and an activator element and is formed by vapor deposition, is preferred to have a relationship of a molar ratio of activator element/mother component in an optionally determined one position on the phosphor film and a molar ratio of activator element/mother component in an optionally determined different position on the phosphor film satisfies the condition of 0.1?Ra/Rb?10 [Ra means a molar ratio of activator element/mother component in an optionally determined one position of the phosphor film and Rb means a molar ratio of activator element/mother component in an optionally determined different position of the phosphor film].

Abstract: An apparatus for accelerated weathering testing specimens including discharge lamps as a concentrated light source for accelerating the deterioration of color, composition and/or structure of test specimens. Improved control calibration structures and methods of operation are also included. The test module to monitor the weathering test process from an improved location, detecting irradiance in the manner in which the specimens are exposed to such irradiance. The test modules are mounted in a pocket formed within the door for the test chamber such that the sensitive electronics of the modules are not exposed to the harsh environment within the test chamber, resulting in an exceptionally stable signal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operation of an image-generating optical system for detection of characteristic quantities of the wavelength-dependent behavior of an illuminated specimen, such as the emission behavior and/or absorption behavior and, in particular, the fluorescence and/or luminescence and/or phosphorescence and/or enzyme-active light emission and/or enzyme-active fluorescence, for the operation of a laser scanning microscope, comprising the steps of splitting the image point information of the specimen into spectral components in a spatially resolved manner on the detection side in dependence on wavelength and carrying out at least one summing for different spectral components.

Abstract: A cassette-type image taking apparatus for acquiring a radiograph of an object includes an electric circuit unit including a radiation image detecting unit, of which a radiation image detecting face is substantially formed of a quadrangle, a case which contains said electric circuit unit, a handle provided at a side face of said case facing one side of said quadrangle, where a face containing a radiation incident face of said case opposite said radiation image detecting face is supposed to be the front face, and a connecting port which is capable of connecting, in a detachable manner, a cable for electrically connecting said electric circuit unit and an external device, at least part of said connecting port being provided in a handle-side side region as a side face region of said case in the same side of said handle with respect to a plane containing said one side and a normal line of said radiation image detecting face crossing said one side.

Abstract: A spectral reflectance sensor including: a light source for emitting a modulated beam of red light; a light source for emitting a modulated beam of near infrared light; a receiver for receiving reflected light produced by either the red source or the near infrared source; a receiver for receiving incident light from either the red source or the infrared source; a signal conditioner responsive to the modulation such that the signals produced by the receivers in response to reflected and incident light from the source can be discriminated from signals produced by ambient light; and a microprocessor having an input such that the microprocessor can determine the intensities of incident red light, reflected red light; incident near infrared light; and reflected near infrared light. From these intensities, and by knowing the growing days since emergence or planting, the sensor can calculate the mid-growing season nitrogen fertilizer requirements of a plant.

Abstract: A method of calibrating detectors in a detector ring of a PET scanner, each detector including a plurality of crystals, the PET scanner having a field of view, is disclosed. The method comprises collecting timing data indicative of coincidence events occurring between each pair of crystals within the field of view. The method further comprises determining a detector adjustment value for each detector, determining a crystal adjustment value for each crystal in each detector, and discretizing the crystal adjustment value for each crystal to produce a discretized crystal adjustment value for each crystal. Lastly, the method comprises calibrating each detector by applying the discretized crystal adjustment value for each crystal in each detector to the collected timing data indicative of coincidence events.

Abstract: A storage phosphor cassette for use in recording radiographic images of elongated objects. The cassette includes: first and second storage phosphor plates having first and second length dimensions, a shell having first and second opposite open ends; a first assembly for detachably mounting said first storage phosphor plate in said shell from said first open end; and a second assembly for detachably mounting said second storage phosphor plate in said shell from said second open end, wherein said first and second storage phosphor plates are mounted in said shell such that they form a substantially continuous storage phosphor composite for recording an elongated radiographic image.

Abstract: In the improved neutron image detector, MgB2 enriched in a constituent element 10B of wide energy gap is used as a neutron detection plate, which is provided at the center and the four corners with a phonon sensor comprising an insulation layer overlaid with Mg11B2 enriched in 11B of narrow energy gap in order to detect phonons resulting from the generation of ?-rays which occurs in the detection plate upon incidence of neutrons, and sensor's signal intensity and signal propagation time are used to detect the incident position of neutrons.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and a device for the continual and, in particular, for a fast detection of changes of the concentration of radon gas dissolved in water by means of a transfer into a measuring gas (Rn-222), which can be adopted for a variety of monitoring, control and regulation assignments. The invention is based on the fact that a membrane, which is permeable for the radioactive noble gas radon but extensively non-permeable for water, is circum-flushed on the one side of radon-containing water and on the other side of the carrier gas with, in each case, optimised flow velocities either in parallel or in counter-flow When stable peripheral conditions are ensured, the concentration of radon in the measuring gas is directly proportional to the concentration of radon in the water.

Abstract: A method of the present invention includes exposing a structure to first electromagnetic radiation including at least one wavelength absorbed by a predetermined substance that is to be detected. Such substance can be water, a water-soluble substance, or fungi, the presence of which can be a significant problem in a structure such as a house or building. The method includes sensing second electromagnetic radiation from the structure, the second radiation based on the first radiation. The method also includes determining whether the substance is present in the structure, based on the sensed second radiation. If the substance to be detected is water and the determining step reveals a water-suspect area in the structure, the method can include testing the water-suspect area of the structure to determine whether water is present therein. If water is confirmed by the determination to be present in the structure, the method can include a step of determining the source of the water.

Abstract: Bolometer system and method for detecting, at BLIP levels, presence of radiation over a broad range of wavelengths in an infrared spectrum and in a temperature range from 20 K to as high as room temperature. The radiation is received by a Si crystal having a region that is doped with one or more of In, Ga, S, Se, Te, B, Al, P, As and Sb in a concentration ratio in a range such as 5×10?11 to 5×10?6. Change in electrical resistance ?R due to receipt of the radiation is measured through a change in voltage difference or current within the crystal, and the quantity ?R is converted to an estimate of the amount of radiation received. Optionally, incident radiation having an energy high enough to promote photoconductivity is removed before detection.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a switch for switching voltage application from a power source to a detector; a voltage generator for supplying high voltage to a radiation source; and a control means for controlling a light source control means. When a control signal input to the switch is set to low voltage and an electrode of a first conductive layer and a stripe electrode are set at same potential, the control means sets control signal input to the light source control means to low voltage, making a planar light source emit preexposure light to perform empty reading, wherein preexposure light is irradiated onto a reading photoconductive layer. After irradiation of preexposure light and empty reading is stopped, radiation is irradiated onto the first conductive layer while recording voltage causing avalanche amplification is applied between the first conductive layer and the stripe electrode, thereby recording an electrostatic latent image in the detector.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is adapted for irradiating an image carrier including a labeling substance contained in two-dimensionally distributed spots with a stimulating ray and photoelectrically detecting light released from the labeling substance, thereby producing image data, and the image reading apparatus includes at least one stimulating ray source for emitting a stimulating ray, a lens for shaping the stimulating ray emitted from the at least one stimulating ray source into a line beam, a sensor for photoelectrically detecting light released from the labeling substance, and a controller for performing a stimulation and detection step of irradiating the image carrier including the labeling substance contained in the two-dimensionally distributed spots with the line beam of the stimulating ray to stimulate the labeling substance, stopping irradiation with the line beam of the stimulating ray and causing the sensor to photoelectrically detect light released from the labeling substance after the completion

Abstract: Apparatus and method for radiation measurement suitable for use within and outside nuclear reactor or accelerator facilities when there is a need to perform real-time monitoring of radiation intensity over a wide dynamic range at many and broadly distributed sites of measurement. The apparatus and method are based on two principles: constant radiation monitoring and integrating measured radiation with a stimulable phosphor.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods which facilitate movement of an instrument relative to an item or location being monitored and/or the item or location relative to the instrument, whilst successfully excluding extraneous ions from the detection location. Thus, ions generated by emissions from the item or location can successfully be monitored during movement. The technique employs sealing to exclude such ions, for instance, through an electro-field which attracts and discharges the ions prior to their entering the detecting location and/or using a magnetic field configured to repel the ions away from the detecting location.

Abstract: A spherical actinometer integrates the omnidirectional radiant flux over time to obtain the radiant energy or fluence incident on the sphere utilizing a small spherical vessel containing a solution that responds to germicidal radiation but not ambient room light. In one embodiment the actinometric solution, is an aqueous mixture of iodide and iodate that is optically opaque at 254 nm but insensitive radition above 330 nm. The UV-induced formation of triiodide, is facilitated by the presence of iodate that acts as an electron acceptor. The formation of triiodide, which is easily measured spectroscopically with a photometer, occurs with a quantum yield of 0.75 for 254 nm radiation at 21° C. The actinometeric measurement of UV fluence using the system is substantially independent of the size of the measuring device.

Abstract: A cassette is provided having an emitter for emitting an erasing light to release residual radiation energy from a stimulable phosphor sheet stored therein does not need to be conveyed to a power supply unit, and in which an emission time of the emitter can be controlled appropriately. The cassette storing the sheet for recording a radiation image therein and comprising a stimulable phosphor layer formed on a substrate thereof has the emitter for irradiating the erasing light on the sheet and a power supply for causing the emitter to emit the erasing light, and a control circuit for controlling the emission time.