Abstract: A downhole tool can include a photon beam source configured to transmit a photon beam into materials lining a wellbore. The materials may comprise fluid, casing, and cement. A photon detector in the tool is configured to count detected photons received at a predetermined angle from the materials. The density of the borehole material may be determined in response to the number of detected photons. Changes in a distribution of a plurality of photon count ratio values may indicate the standoff distance. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for monitoring optical fiber temperature includes heating an optical fiber using a heat source, and measuring an infrared radiation level emitted by an optical fiber during heating of the optical fiber. The method further includes comparing the infrared radiation level to a radiation level setpoint for the optical fiber to determine a radiation level error value. The method further includes adjusting a power level setpoint of the heat source based on the radiation level error value.

Abstract: A process for improving sensitivity of a film base, coated with a dispersion of a normally crystalline polyacetylenic compound in a non-solvating liquid which is dried on the film surface, to particular photon energy band, specifically, long wavelength UV; the polyacetylenic compound preferably having at least two conjugated acetylenic linkages and containing from 12 to 60 carbon atoms. The sensitization of the film to long wavelength UV is achieved via the addition of photoinitiator(s) capable of absorbing UV energy and converting it to free radicals. The process comprises dispersing the normally crystalline polyacetylenic compound in the non-solvating liquid to a concentration of from about 2 to about 50% polyacetylene crystalline solids and a photoinitiator or combination of photoinitiators to a concentration of from 0.01 to 10%. The resultant dispersion is then coated and dried on a substrate. Additionally, applications using this film as a UVA illumination indicator and dosimeter are disclosed as well.

Abstract: Apparatus for enhancing on-chip fluorescence detection. For example, an apparatus comprises a microfluidic channel, an excitation signal enhancing structure formed on a first side of the microfluidic channel and a photodetector structure formed on a second side of the microfluidic channel. For example, the excitation signal enhancing structure enhances an excitation signal and the enhanced excitation signal excites one or more samples in the microfluidic channel to emit signals at a fluorescence wavelength at a higher rate.

Abstract: Methods and systems including a photodetector of a downhole tool for performing downhole operations are provided herein. The photodetector includes a housing configured along a carrier disposed downhole within a borehole and a graphene tunneling photodetector located within the housing configured to perform a downhole operation.

Abstract: A method evaluates the mobility of a polymer composition in a high-temperature region of 150° C. or above. The method for evaluating a physical property of a polymer composition, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a thin film sample which is formed on a substrate and which comprises: a fluorescent probe including a fluorescent rare earth complex having a melting point of 200° C. or higher; and a target polymer composition; and obtaining a relationship between a temperature and a fluorescent characteristic of the thin film.

Abstract: A method of detecting presence and location uses sensor data received from a plurality of thermopiles, each thermopile having a different field of view. In response to detecting a change in the sensor data, stored background values for each field of view are accessed and then the location of a body (e.g. a human or animal) is determined based on differences between the sensor data and sensor values predicted using a forward model and the stored background values for each field of view. Having determined the location, the stored background values are updated based on differences between the sensor data and the predicted sensor values for a body at the determined location.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining concentration of a targeted gas in environmental air, the apparatus includes a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor, a pressure sensor coupled in fluid communication with an interior of the NDIR sensor; and a processor. The processor is configured to receive pressure data from the pressure sensor based on gas pressure within an interior of the NDIR sensor, receive a target-gas concentration signal from the NDIR sensor, and produce a pressure-compensated concentration signal based on the target-gas concentration signal, a predetermined reference pressure and the pressure data from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A relative positioning system is described. At least one emitter is attached to a first object, where each of the at least one emitters includes: an electromagnetic radiation source configured to generate electromagnetic radiation over a band of wavelengths, and a prism arranged to refract and disperse the electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source according to the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation. At least one electromagnetic radiation detector is attached to a second object arranged to detect the wavelengths of some of the electromagnetic radiation refracted and dispersed by a respective prism. At least one processor is configured to determine the relative position of the first object and the second object based on the detected wavelengths by the at least one electromagnetic radiation detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a scene with blackbody light includes a sheet of nano-structures having a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The first side and the second side are configured to receive light from an environment facing both sides and emit light to the environment facing both sides. Each nano-structure is configured to receive light in a first range of wavelengths resulting in heating the nano-structure and to emit blackbody light due to the heating to display the scene with blackbody light. The apparatus also includes a projector configured to irradiate the nano-structures on one of the sides of the sheet with light in the first range of wavelengths that form the scene to be displayed with the blackbody light emitted from the sheet of nano-structures.

Abstract: A non-destructive inspection device 10 using backscattering of neutrons includes a neutron source 3 that radiates a pulse neutron beam to a surface 1a of an inspection target 1, a neutron detection device 5 that detects scattered neutrons scattered in the inspection target 1 and returned, and a measurement device 7 that measures the detection number of scattered and returned neutrons detected by the neutron detection device 5 and generates detection number data expressing the detection number with respect to time.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for identifying an individual in both cooperative and non-cooperative situations are provided. In one aspect, for example, a system for identifying an individual can include an active light source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength of from about 700 nm to about 1200 nm, and an imager device positioned to receive the electromagnetic radiation upon reflection from an individual to generate an electronic representation of the individual. The system can also include an image processing module functionally coupled to the imager device to receive the electronic representation. The image processing module processes the electronic representation into an individual representation having at least one substantially unique identification trait.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure comprises a method for calibrating a drive level of a non-radioactive calibration source. Another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a method for using a non-radioactive calibration source to verify correct operation of a radiation detector. Another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a radiation detection system that comprises a radiation detector and a non-radioactive calibration source that is used to verify correct operation of the radiation detector.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an imaging radiation detection module with novel configuration of the scintillator sensor allowing for simultaneous optimization of the two key parameters: detection efficiency and spatial resolution, that typically cannot be achieved. The disclosed device is also improving response uniformity across the whole detector module, and especially in the edge regions. This is achieved by constructing the scintillation modules as hybrid structures with continuous (also referred to as monolithic) scintillator plate(s) and pixelated scintillator array(s) that are optically coupled to each other and to the photodetector.

Abstract: A super-resolution observation device includes an illumination optical system collecting a first illuminating light having a first optical frequency ?1 on a first region of an observation object, collecting a second illuminating light having a second optical frequency ?2? on a second region partially overlapping the first region, and collecting a third illuminating light having a third optical frequency ?2 on a third region containing a non-overlap region which is a region of the first region and does not overlap the second region; and an extraction unit extracting a signal light generated in accordance with a change in an energy level of a substance in the non-overlap region from a light generated in all of the first region, the second region, and the third region.

Abstract: Apparatuses, computer-readable mediums, and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a positron emission tomography (“PET”) detector array is provided which includes a plurality of crystal elements arranged in a two-dimensional checkerboard configuration. In addition, there are empty spaces in the checkerboard configuration. In various embodiments, the empty spaces are filled with passive shielding, transmission source assemblies, biopsy instruments, surgical instruments, and/or electromagnetic sensors. In various embodiments, the crystal elements and the transmission source assemblies simultaneously perform emission/transmission acquisitions.

Abstract: A surface inspection method for a steel pipe detects a surface defect on a hot steel pipe, and includes: an imaging step of imaging a self-luminous image of the hot steel pipe; a correcting step of making more uniform luminance variation in a circumferential direction of the self-luminous image and correcting the self-luminous image; and a detecting step of detecting a surface defect based on the self-luminous image corrected at the correcting step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photon detector (10), in particular an x-ray detector, in the form of a measurement finger, which extends along a detector axis (23) and has a detector head (11) at a first end of the measurement finger, wherein the detector head (11) comprises a plurality of at least two detector modules (22), each comprising a sensor chip (12) sensitive to photon radiation (14), in particular x-radiation, said sensor chip having an exposed end face (13) and a face facing away from the end face (13), wherein the detector modules (22) are arranged around the detector axis (23) in a plane (24) extending orthogonally to the detector axis (23).

Abstract: An analyzer of a component in a sample fluid includes an optical source and an optical detector defining a beam path of a beam, wherein the optical source emits the beam and the optical detector measures the beam after partial absorption by the sample fluid, a fluid flow cell disposed on the beam path defining an interrogation region in the a fluid flow cell in which the optical beam interacts with the sample fluid and a reference fluid; and wherein the sample fluid and the reference fluid are in laminar flow, and a scanning system that scans the beam relative to the laminar flow within the fluid flow cell, wherein the scanning system scans the beam relative to both the sample fluid and the reference fluid.

Abstract: A THz quantum cascade laser is used to investigate a target by directing a first beam of laser radiation from the laser at the target to thereby produce a second beam of laser radiation by interaction of the first beam with the target. Self-mixing of the first and second beams occurs within the laser and causes variations in a signal such as the operating voltage of the laser. An operating parameter of the laser that affects the interaction of the first beam with, the target is varied. The operating voltage is monitored and processed to determine phase and amplitude changes associated with material properties of the target. Consequently in one embodiment the invention provides for processing the variations in the signal to produce various images of the target.