Abstract: The present invention relates to a Lidar surveying instrument, which is capable of detecting and discriminating laser-induced particle fluorescence of any biological or non-biological atmospheric particles. The present astrobiology sensing instrument can remotely sense and discriminate, in real-time, the bio-indicator aerosol material signatures and environmental interferents that exist in an extraterrestrial environment, such as Mars, in order to expand the search for signatures of extraterrestrial life from the planetary soil to the planetary ground level atmosphere, by performing atmospheric volume scans of hundreds of meters in a radial direction around a planetary vehicle or a spacecraft. The Lidar instrument technology of the present invention employs real-time aerosol particle detection and discrimination based on two physical variables: particle fluorescence and particle size in the bio-discrimination space.

Abstract: A fissile neutron detection system includes a neutron moderator and a neutron detector disposed proximate such that a majority of the surface area of the neutron moderator is disposed proximate the neutron detector. Fissile neutrons impinge upon and enter the neutron moderator where the energy level of the fissile neutron is reduced to that of a thermal neutron. The thermal neutron may exit the moderator in any direction. Maximizing the surface area of the neutron moderator that is proximate the neutron detector beneficially improves the reliability and accuracy of the fissile neutron detection system by increasing the percentage of thermal neutrons that exit the neutron moderator and enter the neutron detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for particle tracking using spatiotemporal offset light beams. In exemplary embodiments, the optical systems and methods can be used with conventional two-photon microscopy equipment to perform high speed, high precision, and deep tissue three-dimensional single-particle tracking. Exemplary embodiments can be configured for single-molecule studies of biological diffusion and transport processes.

Abstract: An array substrate according to an embodiment includes a substrate having a first side and a second side, multiple control lines, multiple data lines, a first region having multiply first interconnect pads, and a second region having multiply second interconnect pads. There is at least one of a distance between the first side and a center line of the first region being longer than a distance between the first side and a center line extending in the first direction of a region including the multiple control lines electrically connected to the multiple first interconnect pads, or a distance between the second side and a center line of the second region being longer than a distance between the second side and a center line extending in the second direction of a region including the multiple data lines electrically connected to the multiple second interconnect pads.

Abstract: A neutron conversion foil for being used in a neutron detector includes a substrate having a first and second side. The substrate is covered at least on one of the first and second sides with a neutron conversion layer made of a neutron reactive material and being capable of capturing neutrons to thereafter emit light and/or charged particles. The neutron conversion foil is transparent to light such that light originating from the conversion of neutrons can pass through one or several of the neutron conversion foils and thereafter be collected and detected by a light sensing device.

Abstract: A technique facilitates control over optical transmittance and, in some applications, the technique may be carried out without using moving mechanical parts. A system may comprise a light source and an optical fiber line, e.g. a plurality of optical fiber lines, in optical communication with the light source. An electrochromic device is positioned along each optical fiber line and may be selectively operated via electrical inputs to control optical transmittance along the corresponding optical fiber line. When plural optical fiber lines are employed, the corresponding plurality of electrochromic devices may be operated to also provide control over optical path selection. In fluid analysis operations, at least one sample chamber for receiving fluid samples may be positioned along a corresponding optical fiber line to enable analysis of light directed into the fluid sample as controlled by the corresponding electrochromic device.

Abstract: A method for determining a radionuclide concentration of a material is provided. The method comprises placing a detector in a protective structure, wherein the detector is coupled to a single-channel analyzer. The method further comprises inserting the protective structure in a material, wherein the material comprises a radionuclide. The method additionally comprises measuring the moisture content of the material to be analyzed. The method also comprises counting the emitted radiation having a known energy over an interval of time to produce a count per time, wherein the emitted radiation is emitted from the radionuclide and then dividing the count per time by the weight of the material to produce a count per time per weight.

Abstract: The Hybrid Photonic Plasmonic Interconnect (HyPPI) combines both low loss photonic signal propagation and passive routing with ultra-compact plasmonic devices. These optical interconnects therefore uniquely combine fast operational data-bandwidths (in hundreds of Gbps) for light manipulation with low optical attenuation losses by hybridizing low loss photonics with strong light-matter-interaction plasmonics to create, modulate, switch and detect light efficiently at the same time. Initial implementations were considered for on-chip photonic integration, but also promising for free space or fiber-based systems. In general two technical options exist, which distinguished by the method the electric-optic conversion is executed: the extrinsic modulation method consists of an continuous wave source such as an LED or laser operating at steady power output, and signal encoding is done via an electro-optic modulator downstream of the source in the interconnect.

Abstract: A scanning system, corresponding bracket and method are for scanning an object. The system has a frame defining a scanning chamber in which the object to be scanned is placed. The system also has a displacement assembly which displaces the object into and out of the scanning chamber. The system can also have a source which emits electromagnetic radiation or X-rays against the object within the scanning chamber such that the EM radiation passes through the object. The system can also have detectors arranged around the scanning chamber which detect the EM radiation which passes through the object. Each of the detectors forms a detector angle with a plane which can vary from one detector to the next. Similarly, the source can form an angle with the horizontal plane. The system, bracket, and method allow for the production of representative three-dimensional views of the object.

Abstract: Provided an ultraviolet-sensing sheet that facilitates measurement of ultraviolet irradiance over a wide area, that is suitable in ultraviolet irradiance in a range from 1 to 1,000 mJ/cm2, and that is easier to visually assess for coloring on the cumulative illuminance of ultraviolet, an ultraviolet-sensing kit, and a method for sensing ultraviolet. The ultraviolet-sensing kit comprises a sheet containing an ultraviolet-sensing layer and a film for adjusting ultraviolet-sensitivity, wherein the sheet containing an ultraviolet-sensing layer comprising, a support and an ultraviolet-sensing layer in this order, the ultraviolet-sensing layer comprising a capsule containing a photo-oxidant and a capable of developing color by the photo-oxidant, a mass ratio of the photo-oxidant and the leuco dye is 0.2 to 1.0:1, and the leuco dye being present in an amount of 0.1 to 1.0 g per 1 m2 of a surface area of the ultraviolet-sensing layer.

Abstract: A system for tracking one or more subjects for collecting airborne contaminants. The system includes one or more subjects configured to collect air contaminants. Each of the one or more subjects includes an identification tag encoded with identification information identifying the each subject. The system further includes an identification reader configured to decode the identification information encoded within the identification tag of a scanned one of the one or more identification tags. A computer receives and stores the decoded identification information in a record in a database. The computer may also receive and stored an identification code for a user who scanned the scanned identification tag in the record in the database. Additional records in the database are created each time the identification tag of one of the one or more subjects is scanned. The one or more subjects are thereby tracked as they collect airborne contaminants and are incubated.

Abstract: This detection device is provided with: a chip including a detection region for detecting a substance to be detected; a light source which emits excitation light; a detector for detecting the fluorescence emitted from a fluorescent substance which labels the substance to be detected, and which is excited by the excitation light; and an optical fiber which includes a core, and a cladding covering the outer peripheral surface of the core, guides, to the detection region, the excitation light emitted from the light source, and guides, to the detector, the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance. The optical fiber is fixed to the chip directly or via a connector. The excitation light emitted from the light source is guided within the core, and reaches the detection region of the chip. The fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance is guided within the core and the cladding, and reaches the detector.

Abstract: An analyser 10 for identifying or verifying or otherwise characterising a liquid based drug sample 16 comprising: an electromagnetic radiation source 11 for emitting electromagnetic radiation 14a in at least one beam at a sample 16, the electromagnetic radiation comprising at least two different wavelengths, a sample detector 17 that detects affected electromagnetic radiation resulting from the emitted electromagnetic radiation affected by the sample, and a processor 18 for identifying or verifying the sample from the detected affected electromagnetic radiation, wherein each wavelength or at least two of the wavelengths is between substantially 1300 nm and 2000 nm, and each wavelength or at least two of the wavelengths is in the vicinity of the wavelength(s) of (or within a region spanning) a spectral characteristic in the liquid spectrum between substantially 1300 nm and 2000 nm.

Abstract: A device, and corresponding method, can include a pump light source configured to be modulated at a pump modulation and to irradiate a target specimen. The device can also include a probe light source arranged to generate a speckle pattern from the target specimen, as well as a sensor configured to detect changes in at least one of position and intensity of one or more speckle lobes of the speckle pattern having correlation with the pump modulation. The device and method can be used for non-contact monitoring and remote sensing of surfaces, gases, liquids, particles, and other target materials by analyzing speckle pattern changes as a function of pump light irradiation. Advantages can include much higher sensitivity than existing methods; the ability to use visible probe wavelengths for uncooled, low-cost visible detectors with high spatial resolution; and the ability to obtain target material properties without detecting infrared light.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a downhole fluid analysis method that includes withdrawing formation fluid into a downhole tool at a plurality of stations within a wellbore, analyzing the formation fluid within a fluid analyzer of a downhole tool to determine properties of the formation fluid for the plurality of stations, and developing, based on the determined properties of the formation fluid, a relationship for predicting viscosity from a measured optical density.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for two scanners to inspect objects based on an initial scanning of all objects and an additional scanning of objects that are determined by the initial scanning to potentially include one or more suspect regions. In one implementation, a system can include a primary scanner for performing the initial or primary scanning and a smaller secondary scanner for the additional or secondary scanning to provide efficient and accurate inspection of objects while maintaining a desired throughput of the inspection. In another implementation, a single scanner can be used to perform both the initial scanning and the additional scanning while maintaining a sufficient throughput of a line of objects under inspection.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a housing a measurement device disposed in the housing. The measurement device includes a sensor and electronic circuitry configured to detect or process signals detected by the sensor. The housing, the sensor, or the electronic circuitry, or any combination thereof, includes a polymer matrix with integrated boron nitride nanotubes.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the quality of photovoltaic cells is described, the method including for each cell: an excitation step, during which the cell to be monitored is subjected to excitation at a predetermined level of excitation; a step of acquiring at least one luminescence image of the cell to be monitored after excitation; and a step of processing the acquired image. The invention is characterized in that, for each cell, there is provided a preliminary step for determining an excitation level adjusted to the cell, the respective adjusted excitation levels of the different cells to be monitored being adapted such that the luminescence intensities of the signals emitted by the different cells are equal at a given reference luminescence intensity.

Abstract: A nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry configured to perform control to execute gamma ray acquisition for main imaging for a subject, and prior acquisition to acquire gamma rays in a plurality of acquisition positions in the subject prior to the main imaging, calculate values of gamma ray acquisition time for respective imaging positions in the main imaging, based on count values of gamma rays acquired in the prior acquisition, and perform control to execute the main imaging, based on the calculated values of the gamma ray acquisition time for the respective imaging positions.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for sensing radiation emitted by an object. For example, one device includes a substrate and a movable layer coupled to the substrate. The movable layer is configured to receive radiation from the object and move relative to the substrate to a position in response to a change in temperature. The device also includes a sensor that is configured to produce a signal responsive to the position of the movable layer. The signal is indicative of the radiation emitted by the object.