Abstract: An improved CCD-based x-ray image sensor system enables the use of an uncooled or only slightly cooled CCD array (18a) within a standard size x-ray film cassette (1). The sensor system provides a number of advanced functions such as remote diagnostic capability, variable image resolution, real-time exposure control, automatic x-ray detection, a low-power "sleep" mode, and automatic, closed loop optimization of image quality.

Abstract: A flow cytometry system includes a flow tube through which particles marked with different fluorochromes pass from a first location, illuminated by a red laser, to a second location, illuminated by a blue laser. A "red" photodetector is optically coupled to detect red fluorescence from both locations. "Yellow" and "green" photodetectors respectively detect yellow and green fluorescence from the second location, while a "scattered light" detector detects scattered light from the second location. During a sample run, the red photodetector can output pulses that correspond primarily to APC fluorochrome at the first location and to PerCP at the second location respectively. A delay device delays the APC pulse relative to the PerCP pulse so that the peaks can be scaled and subtracted in the analog electrical domain to remove APC/PerCP crosstalk. The delay is calibrated using a set of APC tagged cells.

Abstract: Thin film detector of ultraviolet radiation with high spectral selectivity option, and a structure placed between two electrodes, formed by the superposition of semiconductor thin films such as hydrogenated amorphous silicon and its alloys with carbon. The device is able to absorb a large quantity of UV radiation and to convert it into electric current being transparent to photons of longer wavelengths. Its deposition technique allows fabrication on substrates of glass, plastic, metal, ceramic types of materials (also opaque, also flexible), on which a conductor material film has been predeposited. It can be fabricated on substrates of any size.

Abstract: A colliding shock wave lens consists of a set of spark gaps capable of generating a number of shock waves in a gaseous medium which coalesce at the centre of the device, forming a region of transitory high density gas. This region of high density acts as a converging lens, momentarily capable of focusing a pulsed laser beam, timed to pass through the lens at the right instant. The lens may be used to modulate a laser beam or to Q-switch a laser.

Abstract: A thermal infrared imaging device (10) includes a thermal detector (50) having a linearly-arrayed plurality of spaced apart detector elements (50', 50", 50"', . . . ). A scene to be viewed is scanned across the detector (50) with successive fields of the scene shifted according the spacing between adjacent detector elements (50', 50", 50"', . . . ) in order to capture image information for the entire scene by interlacing of successive scan lines from the plurality of detector elements (50', 50", 50"', . . . ). Each complete scan of the viewed scene across the detector (50) creates an image field including a scan line for each detector element (50', 50", 50"', . . . ). Each scan line includes plural pixels, or picture elements of the viewed scene, each having a value indicative of the thermal infrared brightness of the viewed scene at the corresponding location along the scan line. An scan-line sum for each scan line is created by adding the absolute values of the pixel values for each scan line.

Abstract: An automatic non-destructive real time infrared system includes special bundle of fiber optics having the ability to convey infrared light waves to solid organic-base compounds and receive reflected infrared light waves from the same. A sample of manufactured solid compound of organic-base is conveyed by mechanical and pneumatic means to a holding receptacle located under the field of view of the fiber optics probe. The probe is directly linked to a spectrophotometer to obtain a spectrum. The spectrophotometer is linked to a computer system determining the exact dissolution measurement of each manufactured solid organic-base compound. The compacted solid of organic-base compound is released from the receptacle by an ejection means to be dispensed in a holding container for storage. The storage container maintains the sample sequence. A new sample is dispensed to the holding receptacle allowing for new measurement of dissolution.

Abstract: An objective lens is secured in an afocal mode to a support for movement vertically toward and away from a workpiece. An illumination collimator fixed on the support above the objective lens projects the image of a reticle downwardly and successively through a second lens assembly, a beamsplitter plate, and coaxially of the objective lens to the workpiece. A combined image of the reticle and workpiece is then projected by the objective lens upwardly onto the beamsplitter, and laterally to a mirror which projects the combined image upwardly along an axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of the objective lens, and through one of several different magnifying lens assemblies to the image detector of a video camera. The magnifying lens assemblies can be selectively indexed one at a time into registry with the camera, and each has a telecentric opening or stop which always registers with the rear focal point of the objective lens each time such assembly is indexed into its operative position.

Abstract: The present system provides a thermal imaging device including a detector array responsive to thermal infrared radiation. The detector array has a linearly-arrayed plurality of spaced-apart detector elements defining cooperatively a length dimension for the detector array. Each of the plurality of detector elements provides a corresponding individual electrical signal indicative of the thermal infrared radiation incident thereon. The detector elements vary from one another in the plurality of detector elements, and the thermal imaging device responsively provides a visible-light image replicating a viewed scene. The thermal imaging device includes a scanning device scanning the viewed scene across the plurality of detector elements in a direction generally perpendicular to the length dimension.

Abstract: Method of quantitatively determining one or more characteristics of a substance using near infrared spectroscopy. The method including irradiating a point of the substance with radiation at at least two distinct wavelengths, measuring the intensity of the radiation detected at two locations, determining the optical path lengths of the radiation between the irradiation point and the two detecting locations, and determining the effect of the divergence of the radiation reaching two locations. The relative coupling efficiencies of the two detectors are determined by the use of a second emission point equidistant from the two detectors. The characteristic being measured is then determined by the intensity of the radiation detected at the detecting locations with the result modified by accounting for the optical path lengths to the detecting locations, the detector coupling efficiencies and the effect of divergence of the radiation before reaching the detecting locations.

Abstract: A compact rain sensor for mounting on the inner surface of a windshield includes collimator lenses and a detachable prismatic coupler to facilitate the mounting of emitters and detectors on a circuit board which is positioned parallel to the inner surface of the windshield. A thin optical coupler is adhesively secured to the windshield. A sensor housing is detachably secured about the outer edges of the coupler. Within the sensor housing, surface-mounted infrared emitters and detectors, as well as signal processing circuitry, are all mounted on a single printed circuit board secured in the housing. When the sensor housing is mounted on the coupler, the printed circuit board is parallel to the inner surface of the windshield and in close proximity thereto.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer 20 includes an electron multiplier 30 for producing an electron avalanche 58 directed toward an ionization region 38. A sample 40 enters the ionization region 38 through a sample inlet 68. In the ionization region 38 the electron avalanche 58 collides with the sample 40 and produces ions 60. A start detector 56 detects the electron avalanche 58 and provides a start signal. The ions 60 exit the ionization region 38 and enter a flight region 26. The ions 60 flow through the flight region 26 and interact with a stop detector 42. The stop detector 42 generates a stop signal in response to being activated. A low pressure enclosure 22 encloses at least the electron multiplier 30 and the ionization region 38. The start and stop signals are supplied to an analysis system for determining the mass of the sample using time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Versatile method and device of thermoluminescence analysis are provided. Such a method and device can be applied to: exploration of petroleum, natural gas and minerals; forensic examination of objects; environmental monitoring; and production quality control. The device includes: a heating element; an optical readout system; and a rotating disk with openings for passage of light emitted by a heated sample. The device further includes a reference light source for controlling the optical readout system, and a computer system for controlling the operation of said device and for data storage, retrieval and processing.

Abstract: A system for supplying a processed radiographic image to a remote device. The system is disclosed for supplying a radiographic image obtained by reading an exposed photostimulable phosphor screen that has been processed in a processing station to a remote device such as a display device that is connected with said processing station via a network and a distributed network filing system.

Abstract: A description is given of a switching device 1 comprising a transparent substrate 3, a switching film 5 of gadolinium having a thickness of 200 nm and a palladium layer (7) having a thickness of 10 nm. Under the influence of hydrogen gas, a transparent semiconductive layer (5) of GdH.sub.x (x>2) is formed which can be converted into a non-transparent layer of GdH.sub.x (x<2) by means of evacuation. The conversion between both compositions is reversible, and this phenomenon can for example be used in an optical switching element, a hydrogen sensor and thin displays.

Abstract: Method and system for reproducing or displaying a medical image with a text box having a lay out that can easily be adapted to the specifications of the customer. A file comprising parameters relating to the lay out of a text box is downloaded into a storage unit, part of an image acquisition station or a workstation, the parameters are selected from the file and used for the composition of the text box to be reproduced on a hard copy of said medical image or to be displayed on a soft copy of the medical image.

Abstract: There is provided a radiotherapy system comprising: a radiotherapy planning CT system integratedly having an X-ray scanner member for acquiring image data of a diagnostic portion of a subject by irradiating X-rays to the subject, said diagnostic portion including a lesion, a radiotherapy planner member for displaying the image data and producing radiotherapy plan data including a position data of an isocenter and a contour data of a radiation field limiting radiations from a virtual radiation source irradiated into the diagnostic portion, and a positioning member for automatically pointing a marking position on the subject based on the position data of the isocenter; and a radiotherapy apparatus for carrying out radiotherapy on the basis of the therapy plan data.

Abstract: An ionizing radiation imaging detector, for use with a ionizing radiation beam source comprising a pixellated conversion-detection unit, and a substrate supporting the conversion-detection unit. The substrate includes one or more elements having atomic numbers greater than 22, the elements having a total concentration in the substrate of greater than about 1 mole percent relative to the total number of moles of elements having atomic numbers of 22 or less. The substrate has a dimensionless absorption exponent of less than 0.5 for gamma ray emission of Am.sup.241 at about 60 keV;whereAE(Am.sup.241 60 keV)=t*(k.sub.1 e.sub.1 +k.sub.2 e.sub.2 +k.sub.3 e.sub.3 + . . . )and wherein AE(Am.sup.241 60 keV) represents the absorption exponent of said substrate relative to the about 60 keV gamma ray emission of Am.sup.241 ; t represents said thickness of said substrate in the principle direction of propagation of said x-ray beam; e.sub.1, e.sub.2, e.sub.3, . . .

Abstract: A mechanical optical system scans a light beam that has passed through an automobile exhaust plume onto a plurality of detectors by using fiber optic tubes in an array that is mounted close to a rotating mirror. First ends of the fiber optic tubes are in an array adjacent the mirror and second ends of the fiber optic tubes feed the scanned light beam onto respective detectors that detect various gaseous components in the vehicle exhaust. Using the fiber optic tubes eliminates the need for secondary mirrors and reduces the requirement for highly accurate optical alignment among the components of the system.

Abstract: A method for determining a property or composition data of a test sample from a correlation between a calibration sample set and that property or composition data using the spectrum of the test sample, a linear prediction model and a non linear correction to the linear prediction.

Abstract: A novel type of superconducting transition edge sensor is described. The sensor comprises a primary heat sink maintained at a constant temperature and a resistive means, such as a superconducting film, in thermal contact with the primary heat sink. The temperature of the primary heat sink is kept well below the transition temperature of the superconducting film. The film is voltage biased, so that its temperature is maintained within its superconducting transition through electrothermal feedback: at equilibrium, the Joule heating of the film is equal to the heat loss from the film to the substrate. The energy deposited in the film by a particle incident on the sensor is measured by the reduction in Joule heating.