Abstract: A support mechanism for protecting an object is described. The support system includes at least one support or friction ring for providing dynamic protection to the object. One embodiment includes a support ring having corrugated bumps. Another embodiment includes multiple support rings axially separated by spacers. In another embodiment a support mechanism is provided having at least one friction ring in combination with O-rings. A compound optical coupler is also described, which has a self-wetting clear optical coupling gel and an elastomeric load ring.

Abstract: A bolometer-type infrared solid-state image sensor has a plurality of infrared detecting elements provided above the substrate, which has diaphragm spacing from the substrate and supported by beams. The diaphragm has a bolometer thin film, electrodes arranged on the both end of the bolometer thin film, an upper layer protective film and a lower layer protective film, which are formed so as to sandwich and cover said bolometer thin film and the electrodes, and concave or convex sections formed on said lower layer protective film. The bolometer thin film is formed on the sides of the concave or convex sections. The beams includes wiring material and insulating protective films surrounding the wiring material.

Abstract: The radiation detector according to this invention has a common electrode for bias voltage application formed on a surface of an amorphous selenium semiconductor film (a-Se semiconductor film) sensitive to radiation. The common electrode is a gold thin film having a thickness in a range of 100 to 1,000 ?. The gold thin film acting as the common electrode may be formed on the surface of the a-Se semiconductor film at a relatively low vapor deposition temperature and in a reduced vapor deposition time. This feature suppresses a generation of defects in the a-Se semiconductor film due to formation of the common electrode. The gold thin film for the common electrode is not so thick as in the prior art, but is 1,000 ? or less. With the reduced thickness, the common electrode has improved boding property with respect to the a-Se semiconductor film.

Abstract: A device for use with a source of radiation to provide a THz emission image representing a sample. The device comprises a substrate, a metallic probe having a tip adjacent to the substrate surface and a source of AC bias coupled between the probe tip and substrate. Radiation generated by the source of radiation is incident on the substrate surface in the vicinity of the probe tip and generates THz emission based at least on the AC bias coupled between the probe tip and substrate. A method for providing a THz emission image representing a sample is also provided.

Abstract: A cerium activated lutetium borate phosphor of the following formula (I): (Lux,Lny)BO3:aCe,bA ??(I) in which Ln is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Y, La and Gd; A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Zr; and x, y, a and b are numbers satisfying the conditions of 0.5?x<1, 0?y<0.5, 0<a?0.2, 0?b?0.2 and x+y+a+b=1.0, gives a stimulated emission off when it is excited with an electromagnetic wave after exposing to a radiation such as X-rays.

Abstract: A radiation detector assembly has a semiconductor detector array substrate of CdZnTe or CdTe, having a plurality of detector cell pads on a first surface thereof, the pads having a contact metallization and a solder barrier metallization. An interposer card has planar dimensions no larger than planar dimensions of the semiconductor detector array substrate, a plurality of interconnect pads on a first surface thereof, at least one readout semiconductor chip and at least one connector on a second surface thereof, each having planar dimensions no larger than the planar dimensions of the interposer card. Solder columns extend from contacts on the interposer first surface to the plurality of pads on the semiconductor detector array substrate first surface, the solder columns having at least one solder having a melting point or liquidus less than 120 degrees C.

Abstract: A fluorescence detection apparatus irradiates a sample with an excitation light having different wavelengths, spectrally detects fluorescence from the sample, and includes: a comparison unit for comparing the wavelength of the excitation light with the starting wavelength of a fluorescent spectrum detection bandwidth; and a determination unit for determining an excitation light irradiation timing such that the irradiation of the excitation wavelength is stopped when the wavelength of the excitation light is longer than the starting wavelength.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a readout method performed by stripe scanning planar objects with substances emitting fluorescence radiation, a detector being provided and said fluorescence radiation being imaged onto said detector, said detector comprising at least one row of N-linearly disposed single detector segments, with the scanning direction being rotated by angle ? with respect to the at least one detector row.

Abstract: An image storage screen or panel, suitable for use in applications related with computed radiography, has been disclosed, wherein said screen or panel comprises a binderless needle-shaped stimulable (storage) phosphor and a substrate, characterized in that said substrate has a surface roughness of less than 2 ?m and a reflectivity of more than 80%.

Abstract: A micro-spectroscopic measuring device having a structure in which a spectroscopic element made of an array of photonic crystals with defects, flow paths for introducing a sample, and light detecting elements with sensitivity to a band from near infrared to infrared are stacked.

Abstract: A method for determining the safety of a gas mixture containing first and second flammable components together with non-flammable components, comprises using an optical detector to make at least two measurements influenced by the concentration in the gas mixture of the first and second flammable components. The percentage lower explosion limit of the gas mixture is calculated by a method based on the combination of the measurements. The method leads to acceptably accurate results, despite the presence of other flammable component(s) in the gas mixture.

Abstract: The present invention uses laser diodes in conjunction with a holographic diffuser and lens assembly to generate and effectively disperse the radiation (infrared light) in a spectrum and pattern that is interpreted as heat by certain vision systems to effectively interfere with the electronic processing capability of the vision systems.

Abstract: A flexible imager, for imaging a subject illuminated by incident radiation, includes a flexible substrate, a photosensor array disposed on the flexible substrate, and a scintillator. The scintillator is disposed so as to receive and absorb the incident radiation, is configured to convert the incident radiation to optical photons, and is optically coupled to the photosensor array. The photosensor array is configured to receive the optical photons and to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the optical photons. A digital imaging method for imaging subject includes conforming flexible digital imager to subject, the subject being positioned between flexible digital imager and a radiation source. The method further includes activating radiation source to expose the subject to radiation and collecting an image with the flexible digital imager.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a radiation detection apparatus adapted for taking a moving image. The radiation detection apparatus has a pixel including a phosphor for converting radiation into light, a photoelectric conversion unit for converting the light converted in the phosphor into an electrical signal, a thin film transistor (TFT 1) for transferring the electrical signal converted in the photoelectric conversion unit, a capacitance for accumulating the electrical signal transferred by the thin film transistor (TFT 1), and a thin film transistor (TFT 2) for reading the electrical signal accumulated in the capacitance. The photoelectric conversion unit, the thin film transistor (TFT 1), the capacitance and the thin film transistor (TFT 2) are formed by a same layer configuration, and is each formed at least by a lower electrode or a gate electrode, a gate insulation film and a semiconductor layer and separated by a protective layer from the phosphor.

Abstract: A linear stimulating ray source produces stimulating rays and linearly irradiates them to a portion of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored. A photoelectric read-out system divides light, which is emitted from the portion of a front surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the stimulating rays and/or the portion of a back surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet corresponding to the portion of the front surface exposed to the stimulating rays, into picture elements along a length direction of the portion exposed to the stimulating rays, and photoelectrically reads out the divided picture elements by arraying them in a two-dimensional form. A scanning system moves the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the linear stimulating ray source and the photoelectric read-out system and in a direction, which is approximately normal to the length direction of the portion exposed to the stimulating rays.

Abstract: First and second radial magnetic bearings are provided at opposing ends of a rotary shaft, first and second protective bearings are arranged in the vicinity thereof, a third radial magnetic bearing is arranged on a side of a fan near a motor, and by the third radial magnetic bearing, negative spring element of the motor is corrected.

Abstract: The present invention discloses testing turfgrass samples in a spectrophotometer. The resulting color output is provided to a processor for determining the quantitative color scale. The resultant output of the processor might be a single number 1 through 9—depending on the relative “greenness” of the tested turfgrass. To determine the standardized number, the processor compares the received color output from the spectrophotometer to a first stored set of values. Additionally, the received color output can be compared to a second stored set of values to predictively determine if adjusting certain nutrients, water, fertilizer, etc. will result in beneficial or other desired results in the turf. The first and second stored set of values or data is empirically established. In addition, a sealed turfgrass sample as a check or calibration sample, in connection with the use of NIRS equipment to determine instrument performance.

Abstract: A target gemstone is irradiated with ultraviolet energy while sensing the electrical potential across the gemstone. A silicon carbide gemstone will generate an electrical potential and, therefore, can be positively identified, as distinct from other gemstones such as diamond and cubic zirconia that do not produce a potential.

Abstract: A non-radioactive atmospheric pressure device for ionization of analytes comprises an atmospheric pressure chamber having an inlet for carrier gas, a first electrode at one end, and a counter-electrode at the other end of the chamber for creating an electrical discharge in the carrier gas thus creating metastable neutral excited-state species. Optionally, a grid is provided to generate electrons or ions by contact with the excited-state species. The carrier gas containing the excited-state species or the electrons generated therefrom is directed at an analyte at atmospheric pressure near ground potential to form analyte ions.