Abstract: A unit cell including a substrate; an active circuit disposed on the substrate; and an arrangement disposed on the substrate for routing a plurality of conductors thereover. In the illustrative implementation, the routing arrangement includes first, second and third ground planes disposed on the substrate, a first layer of conductors disposed between the first and second planes, and a second layer of conductors disposed between the second and the third planes. Each cell is adapted to connect to a device such as a detector. The inventive unit cell enables an improved focal plane array design with a smaller unit cell supporting smaller detector sizes. Smaller detector pitch allows higher density detector arrays. The inventive fan-out approach allows for complicated circuitry to be located outside the array. This permits the utilization of more sophisticated analog signed processing, such as a multiple sample approach.

Abstract: A system for determining the presence and optionally the position of an ophthalmic product such as a contact lens in a container is provided.

Abstract: An infra-red camera apparatus having a primary mirror assembly formed in a first molded plastic housing; and, a secondary mirror assembly formed in a second molded plastic housing and disposed in front of and in optical alignment with the primary mirror assembly for collecting an image. The first and second housings snap together for assembly of the camera. A focal plane array is disposed in optical alignment with the primary and secondary mirrors for receiving an image focused thereon by the secondary mirror. A substrate is added for supporting the focal plane array and system electronics, which are responsive to images formed on the focal plane array.

Abstract: An imaging array of photodiodes on a chip cut from a semiconductor wafer includes a guard diode at each cut edge to reduce leakage current from the cut edges when the imaging array is in use. The photodiodes and guard diode may be fabricated from the same materials during the same process step. Electrical contacts coupled to the imaging array provide a mechanism for applying a reverse electrical bias to the photodiodes and guard region with respect to the wafer.

Abstract: A compact and lightweight two-dimensional image pickup apparatus comprises two-dimensional photoelectric converters arranged on a substrate, a base member for supporting the substrate, electronic parts for processing the electric signals of said photoelectric converters and an apparatus cabinet containing the above components, wherein said base member is formed by a metal-based printed circuit board and said electronic parts are mounted on said base member or, alternatively, said base member and part or all of said apparatus cabinet are formed by a metal-based printed circuit board and said electronic parts are mounted on said printed circuit board.

Abstract: A ferroelectric/pyroelectric infrared detector includes a lattice matched substrate material and a colossal magneto-resistive electrode material. In a second embodiment, the ferroelectric/pyroelectric detector includes a colossal magneto-resistive template material to accommodate the use of a non-lattice matched substrate material, and a colossal magneto-resistive electrode material. The embodiments of the present invention provide a semi-transparent electrode material of the requisite lattice constant value, crystal orientation, and chemical compatibility.

Abstract: A thermal imaging camera having improved durability and ergonomic features including generally a seamless housing encompassing a thermal imaging core, a first handle, and a battery compartment. The housing is preferably positioned at a first end of the first handle and the battery compartment is positioned at the opposite end of the first handle. By positioning the first handle intermediate between the housing and the battery compartment, the center of gravity of the thermal imaging camera coincides generally with the handle when the thermal imaging camera is in use, that is when batteries are present within the battery compartment. The camera can also include a second handle positioned between the housing and the battery compartment, the second handle is preferably oriented generally parallel to and spaced apart from the first handle to facilitate passing of the thermal imaging camera between users. The camera also has improved water resistance, shock-resistance and other operational features.

Abstract: An infrared spectrometer for the determination of isotopic ratios of gaseous compounds includes a broad-band infrared light source, a spectral selector, a sample compartment, an infrared detector, and a processor. The spectral selector selectively transmits a wavelength window of infrared light covering a range of wavelengths in which the wavelength window can be selected alternatively to overlap with a wavelength range primarily absorbed by a compound with a first isotope or by the compound with a second isotope. The sample compartment holds a gas sample and includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The infrared spectrometer can be used to detect isotopic ratios of carbon dioxide, where enhancement of 13CO2 can indicate metabolic activity of an infection, for example by H. pylori, or of specific enzymes. Preferred embodiments use a particular multipass optical cell that includes a field mirror and a multi-segment objective mirror.

Abstract: A method of determining liquid absorption of an aggregate comprises providing a sample of the aggregate, adding liquid to the sample, subjecting the sample to a light source signal, monitoring a light reflected signal reflected from the sample and controlling addition of liquid to the sample as a function of the light reflected signal. The apparatus comprises a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate, a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample, a light source which subjects the sample to a light source signal, a light sensor which senses a reflected light signal reflected from the sample and a processor/controller which controls addition of liquid from the liquid source as a function of the reflected light signal. The light source is preferably an infrared source and the light sensor is preferably an infrared detector.

Abstract: A spectrometer includes an infrared source, a spectrally selective element, and a cell array. The cell array includes walls that define a number of cavities. The spectrometer also includes an infrared spatial detector responsive to infrared radiation travelling from the infrared source through contents of at least two of the cavities as well as through the spectrally selective element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for forming a high integrity imager device having a passivation layer disposed over a photosensor array, a passivation layer with an adhesion topography on its surface, and a scintillator layer disposed over the passivation layer such that the scintillator layer is coupled to the adhesion topography.

Abstract: A device for detecting neutrons includes a semi-insulated bulk semiconductor substrate having opposed polished surfaces. A blocking Schottky contact comprised of a series of metals such as Ti, Pt, Au, Ge, Pd, and Ni is formed on a first polished surface of the semiconductor substrate, while a low resistivity (“ohmic”) contact comprised of metals such as Au, Ge, and Ni is formed on a second, opposed polished surface of the substrate. In one embodiment, n-type low resistivity pinout contacts comprised of an Au/Ge based eutectic alloy or multi-layered Pd/Ge/Ti/Au are also formed on the opposed polished surfaces and in contact with the Schottky and ohmic contacts. Disposed on the Schottky contact is a neutron reactive film, or coating, for detecting neutrons. The coating is comprised of a hydrogen rich polymer, such as a polyolefin or paraffin; lithium or lithium fluoride; or a heavy metal fissionable material.

Abstract: A temperature dependent focal plane array operates without a temperature stabilization cooler and/or heater over a wide range of ambient temperatures. Gain, offset and/or bias correction tables are provided in a flash memory in memory pages indexed by the measured temperature of the focal plane array. The memory stores a calibration database, which is accessed using a logic circuit which generates a memory page address from a digitized temperature measurement of the focal plane array. The calibration database is comprised of an array of bias, gain and offset values for each pixel in the focal plane array for each potential operating temperature over the entire range of potential operating temperatures. The bias, gain and offset data within the database are read out, converted to analog form, and used by analog circuits to correct the focal plane array response.

Abstract: This disclosure defined by this invention sets forth an X-ray detector including a scintillator. The scintillator is formed with a doped alkali halogenide and is constructed with an array of photodiodes including at least one photodiode containing a semiconductor material with a color transformer. The color transformer contains a photoluminescent phosphor and may be arranged between the scintillator and the array of photodiodes. One benefit of the scintillator, and an x-ray detect which includes the scintillator, is that it enables a larger part of the X-radiation to be used for image analysis.

Abstract: A calibration tool for fluorescent microscopy comprises a support on which is carried a solid surface layer comprised of effective fluorophores, and a thin mask of non-fluorescent material defining reference feature openings of limited dimensions exposes portions of the fluorophore-comprising surface layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging sensor, particularly for use in oil-filled passages such as wells or pipelines, or for passages containing other similar viscous fluids. There is provided a downhole imaging system which operates in a wavelength region outside the visible band, preferably in the infrared region, to permit penetration of the surrounding fluid medium, e.g., oil. Positioning the optical part of the imaging sensor in a chamber whose walls are transparent to the radiation reduces the path length of the radiation in the oil. The chamber is filled with a material highly transmissive of the radiation.

Abstract: A subject (10) is disposed adjacent a detector array (18). The subject (10) is injected with a radioactive isotope (14) and &ggr;-ray emissions indicative of nuclear decay are detected at the detector array (18). The detector array generates electrical signals in response to each &ggr;-ray which signals are processed (64) and reconstructed (46) into an image representation of the anatomy of the subject (10). A high voltage bias is applied across the detector array. The bias is applied by a set of bias strips (80) and an electrically isolated common busbar (82) built onto a sheet of flexible circuit material. This flexible circuit (81) is highly transmissive to gamma radiation in the energy range 60-180 keV which is typically used in diagnostic nuclear medicine. Connections between the common busbar (82) and the bias strips (80) are made by resistors (92) on individual detector cards.

Abstract: A subject (10) is disposed adjacent a detector array (18) for the purposes of nuclear imaging. The subject (10) is injected with a radioactive isotope (14) and &ggr;-ray emissions indicative of nuclear decay are detected at the detector array (18) these signals are processed and reconstructed into an image representation of the anatomy of the subject (10). A dual level arbitration system orders detected signals for ease of processing and efficiency of reconstruction. The first level of the arbiter monitors a group of individual detectors (22). It locks out any signal that arrives from its group of detectors if a previous signal is still being analyzed. This avoids paralyzation of the system. The second level of the arbiter consists of a plurality of memories, one for each group of individual detectors (22) that store an address and energy of each processed signal.

Abstract: The heat conductance of the heat transfer route through which heat flows into a heat sink from the central region and its neighborhood of an absorbent via the edge region of the absorbent is made to be smaller, by making the absorbent have such a form that the film thickness of the edge region of the pattern of the infrared absorbent formed on the surface of a temperature sensing part is smaller than that of the central region of the pattern. Efficient temperature rise of a temperature sensing part is realized.

Abstract: A radiation image sensor has a scintillator panel and an imaging device, and the scintillator panel comprises a radiation-transparent substrate, a deliquescent scintillator formed on the substrate, and an elastic organic film covering the scintillator, the scintillator panel and imaging device being bonded to each other with a matching oil interposed therebetween, whereas side wall portions of the scintillator panel and imaging device are firmly attached to each other with a resin.