Abstract: A pyroelectric-type IR receiving element comprises a pyroelectric substrate which is fixed to a supporting body at its support ends and at least one rectangular patch formed in the substrate. The patch is formed on its opposite surfaces with first and second electrodes which are overlapped to each other. The substrate has a U-shaped slit composed of a pair of side slits and a base slit connecting the side slits. The U-shaped slit surrounds continuously three sides of the patch, so that the patch is supported by the substrate in a cantilever fashion at a cantilever end which is opposed to one of the support ends of the substrate. Since a thermal stress applied to the substrate when the substrate is exposed to a temperature change is absorbed by the U-shaped slit, a stress concentration to be considered is not developed in the patch. As a result, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of popcorn noise, while maintaining good IR sensitivity.

Abstract: A method for checking whether an article has been inspected by penetrating radiation is described, wherein the article is provided with a heat stimulable storage phosphor whereby penetrating radiation leaves a human- or machine-readable semi-permanent or permanent mark. The article is irradiated in order that both the article and the stimulable storage phosphor are irradiated. The article is checked by heating the storage phosphor, releasing flourescent light and detecting the flourescent light by human eye.

Abstract: An on-line self-calibrating system where prior calibration information is updated by combining prior stored calibration information with current sensor reading information to simulate the introduction of a known calibrating sample and to generate new calibration information. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is in a laser spectral absorption system for determining the concentration of a particular gas in a gaseous sample by sensing a characteristic narrow spectral pulse in the absorption characteristics of the sample, the area or spectral integration of the pulse being proportional to the concentration of the particular gas. The disclosed technique effects on-line recalibration of the system based on current operating parameters of the system to compensate for time or usage induced degradation in system accuracy without introducing a sample of a known concentration of the gas into the system.

Abstract: A three-axis radiation detection system whose inner and outer electrodes are shaped and positioned so that the shortest path between any point on the inner electrode and the outer electrode is a different length whereby the rise time of a pulse derived from a detected radiation event can uniquely define the azimuthal and radial position of that event, and the outer electrode is divided into a plurality of segments in the longitudinal axial direction for locating the axial location of a radiation detection event occurring in the diode.

Abstract: A confocal scanner which scans a circular path traversing capillaries in a planar array for detecting separations performed in said capillaries.

Abstract: An automatic no moving parts portable IR spectrometer for the purpose of analyzing automotive refrigerants comprising an IR source with intermittent output by electronic means not requiring an optical cavity or mechanical chopper, a gas cell which is activated via a one touch bellows to initiate a pressure switch triggering the analysis process, said gas cell followed by a non-imaging optical element which diverts the IR energy to a filter and detector equipped with a readout device to show analysis results.

Abstract: An infrared optical system incorporates a lens for imaging a remote scene onto a detector within a cold shield. Stray radiation incident on the detector is reduced by an optical stop in the form of a light emitting diode producing negative luminescence. The LED emits less radiation than background, and contributes less to the detector photon noise than an optical stop not exhibiting negative luminescence.

Abstract: An opto-electronic sensor for recognizing transparent articles, such as, for example, glass bodies, plastic bodies, or foils. The sensor includes at least one transmitter for transmitting light signals into a monitored region, at least one receiver for receiving the transmitted light signals, and at least one evaluation unit for the evaluation of the received signals. The transmitter is designed for the transmission of the light signals in the UV range. At least one reference transmitter is provided for the transmission of light signals into the monitored region. The light signals transmitted by the reference transmitter lie in a different frequency range from the light signals transmitted by the transmitter.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a measurement device comprising two sensors for measuring radiation doses. The sensors are, for example, optical waveguides aligned along a straight line. One of the optical waveguides covers a longer section along the line than the other waveguide; in particular, the difference is at least 20 mm. Measurement using the measurement device is done as follows: the radiation dose along the line of radiation down to the expected penetration depth is measured using the wider sensor; the narrower sensor is used to determine the radiation dose in a volume element within the radiation path. A quotient is formed from the two measurements and used to calculate the radiation depth on the basis of reference values. The proposed device facilitates rapid and simple determination of a penetration depth of an ionizing radiation, for example in tissue.

Abstract: A multi-layer scintillator having a first and a second layer of scintillation material. In one embodiment, the scintillator first layer has fast scintillation characteristics and the second layer has a higher transparency than the first layer. The two scintillating layers are bonded together so that a light signal is transferred from the first layer to the second layer and the second layer to a photodiode adjacent the second layer. The specific scintillating materials are selected to achieve the desired characteristics of the scintillator.

Abstract: Optically readable radiation-displacement conversion devices and image-rendering apparatus that incorporate same are disclosed. Also disclosed are related methods for detecting images and rendering images using such devices and apparatus. Such devices, apparatus and methods allow improved accuracy and sensitivity of radiation detection without having to use a cooler. A representative conversion device includes a substrate and a suspended portion attached to the substrate via a leg portion. The conversion device includes a radiation-absorbing film that receives and absorbs and incident invisible radiation (e.g., UV, IR, or X-rays) and generates heat from the absorbed radiation. The suspended portion includes a displaceable member that exhibits a displacement with respect to the substrate. The displacement also imparts a change to an incident readout light flux in accordance with the magnitude of the displacement. The change to the readout light is detected and used to form an image.

Abstract: A high-energy photon imaging system includes an imaging head, a signal processor, a data acquisition system and an image processing computer. The imaging head includes a detector that includes a plurality of closely-packed detection modules. Each detection module includes a plurality of detection elements mounted to a circuit carrier. The detection elements produce electrical pulses having amplitudes indicative of the magnitude of radiation absorbed by the detection elements. The circuit carrier includes channels for conditioning and processing the signals generated by corresponding detection elements and for preparing the processed signals for further processing by a signal processor. Each conditioning and processing channel stores the amplitudes of the detection element electrical pulses exceeding a predetermined threshold. The detection modules employ a fall-through circuit which automatically finds only those detection elements that have a stored pulse amplitude exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: A stable isotope analyzer is concentration calibrated by measuring relative proportions of isotopes in a measurement gas. The measurement gas is a component of a gaseous mixture consisting of the measurement gas and one other gas or a mixture of gases containing none of the measurement gas. First, a mixture is produced with a relatively high concentration of the measurement gas and known isotope proportions. The concentration of the measurement gas in the other gas is determined and the isotope proportion is measured to determine a point on a calibration curve (measured isotope proportion values vs. measured concentration values). At least one further point on the calibration curve is determined by diluting the measurement gas in the mixture by introducing a gas or gaseous mixture containing no measurement gas. The reduced concentration is determined and the isotope proportion measured to determine another point on the calibration curve.

Abstract: A pyroelectric IR sensor equipped with a chopper for opening and closing a shielding plate so that infrared rays emitted from an object are allowed to be incident onto a pyroelectric sensor unit and intercepted therefrom, and having a structure capable of providing a large shielding width for the shielding plate without enlarging the chopper. Piezoelectric members are formed on a thin elastic sheet composed of a planar sheet having a tip to which a shielding plate is attached, except for a partial region which functions to magnify oscillations for enlarging displacement of the shielding plate.

Abstract: A multi-detector system receives incident radiation through a subject includes a gaseous microstrip detector, which has alternating anodes and cathodes on a substrate opposite a voltage source, is positioned adjacent a semiconductor detector. In a dual energy environment, electric fields are applied to both detectors as the incident radiation is directed therethrough. Accordingly, the detectors generate corresponding signals which are compared to generate a contrasted signal of the subject. These signals may be generated for imaging, radiation monitoring, radiation measuring and the like. The direction of incident radiation and the orientation of the electric fields may be adjusted according to the particular application. Additionally, the system can be utilized in a single-energy environment where two images of the same incident radiation energy will be formed from the different detector media. By utilizing various processing techniques enhanced contrast between the images can be obtained.

Abstract: An improved solid-state detector for use in a digital X-Ray imaging system. The detector includes two or more silicon CCDs that are sandwiched together with phosphor screens or layers between them in order to improve the overall sensitivity of the detector to X-rays. In order to improve the resolution of the device, the CCDs are offset relative to one another so that the pixels of one cover the nonsensing portions of the other. The phosphorescent screen is combined with an opaque mask containing holes corresponding to positions of the pixels in the CCDs. This arrangement improves image quality by preventing light resulting from an X-ray striking the phosphorescent screen in a particular location from "bleeding" and exposing adjacent pixels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for distinguishing a boundary of an object, and the object itself, from its background. In the method electromagnetic radiation is detected from at least one field of view substantially spanning the boundary of the object and background adjacent to the boundary and superimposed or overlaid as images onto a detector. The method includes correlating spatial transitions in intensity of the overlaid images on the detector with a boundary of the object. When used for determining the attitude of a satellite with respect to the earth, the detector is a thermal infrared detector thereby providing a sharp contrast between the thermal emission of the earth and cold space. The invention provides a simple, effective method and device for determining satellite orientation and/or attitude with respect to a thermal infrared-emitting target body.

Abstract: A system for on-line monitoring the stability of a scintillation detector, comprises means providing two beams of gamma rays from a subsidiary source which are distinguishable because of their time relationship from the primary source. The two beams are of similar energies but are oriented in different directions, with one directed into the scintillation detector and one acting as a reference beam and directed to a reference beam counter. The ratio of the detector-count rate for the timed events to the reference count rate is compared to provide an indication of any drift in the scintillation detector.

Abstract: An infrared collector employs a concentrator formed of a plurality of spatially related gradient-indexed (GRIN) lenses and a photodetector, interconnected by optical fibers. Since the GRIN lenses are arranged on a hemispherical shell, the concentrator is relatively insensitive to the direction of the incoming infrared radiation. Optical fibers are used to connect the GRIN lenses to a photodetector, whereby assembly is simplified. The infrared detector in the collector of the present invention has a size that is significantly smaller than those used in conventional collectors. The concentrator has high optical gain, and therefore, is particularly well adapted for use in low-power portable systems. The arrangement is useful as a node in an infrared data network.

Abstract: A sensor (1400) with radiation detectors (1421-1422) with two or more bolometer or photoconductor elements and bias polarity switching of one element to emulate mechanical chopping of input radiation. This electronic chopping permits higher chopping frequencies than mechanical chopping for bolometers because the scene settling time does not limit electronic chopping. The detectors may be within a single vacuum integrated circuit package with separate narrow passband filters for chemical spectral analysis.