Abstract: An apparatus for measuring isotopic ratios provides four separate optical paths for separate measurement of each of two isotopes relative to a reference signal, using spectrally resolved infrared radiation. The design permits the measurements to be made accurately without significant time lags between measurements, and without interchanging of cells or filters.

Abstract: An emission-concentration monitoring system (20)includes first and second monitor stations (22,32) which are separated by a sensing space (40) along a path (28) of a moving vehicle (26). Each station has a source of electromagnetic radiation (64) which is directed through the vehicle's exhaust plume. Each station also has a set of detectors (66) which are positioned to receive the radiation and configured to measure transmittances at wavelengths which are absorbed by molecular species of exhaust plume (e.g., hydrocarbons, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide). These sensed transmittances are converted to emission concentrations by a data processor (50) and compared to a set of emission-concentration standards. The vehicle is determined to be in violation only if its emission concentrations at both the first and second monitor stations exceeds the standards.

Abstract: A method for nondestructive/noncontact detection of alpha case on a surface of a workpiece made of titanium or a titanium-based alloy. Infrared radiation is reflected off of a selected portion of the workpiece surface and sensed by a detector which may comprise a scanning infrared radiometer, an infrared camera, or a spot radiometer. The presence of any alpha case in the selected portion of the workpiece surface is detected by comparing the intensity of the reflected infrared radiation to a predetermined intensity known to be indicative of the absence of alpha case. An image of the reflected infrared radiation may be created and the step of detecting the presence of alpha case may include the step of comparing the intensity of the reflected infrared radiation within the image to the predetermined intensity. According to a preferred embodiment, a target may be disposed between the source of the infrared radiation and the workpiece surface so as to create a predetermined pattern within the image.

Abstract: In a bolometer-type infrared detecting apparatus, a bolometer and a MOS transistor are provided for one pixel. A source of the MOS transistor is connected to a power supply terminal. A drain of the MOS transistor is connected to the bolometer which is connected via a switch to an output terminal.

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 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: A photodetector using a III-V nitride and having predetermined electrical properties is disclosed. The photodetector includes a substrate with interdigitated electrodes formed on its surface. The substrate has a sapphire base layer, a buffer layer formed from a III-V nitride and a single crystal III-V nitride film. The three layers are formed by electron cyclotron resonance microwave plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (ECR-assisted MBE). Use of the ECR-assisted MBE process allows control and predetermination of the electrical properties of the photodetector.

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: 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: 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: An infrared human body detector has an infrared detector (PE) having at least one light-detecting surface and disposed in a plane, groups of divided infrared ray converging members (LR and LD) disposed in the plane about the infrared detector in surrounding relation thereto, a primary reflecting mirror member (M.sub.1 or M.sub.1 ') disposed inwardly of the groups of divided infrared ray converging members for reflecting, in a primary fashion, rays (B) applied inwardly through the respective groups of divided infrared ray converging members, and a secondary reflecting mirror member (M.sub.2) disposed inwardly of the groups of divided infrared ray converging members for introducing the reflected rays from the primary reflecting mirror member within a sensitive angle of the infrared detector to apply the rays to the light-detecting surfaces thereof, the secondary reflecting mirror member having a reflecting surface sufficiently small as compared with the surface areas of the infrared ray converging members.

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: The invention relates to a method of determining the quality of an aluminized, luminescent screen 22 for a CRT 10. The luminescent screen 22 is disposed on an interior surface of a faceplate panel 12 with an aluminum layer 23 overlying the screen. The method includes the steps of: exposing the aluminum layer to ultraviolet radiation; and measuring the luminescence emitted by the screen through the aluminum layer.

Abstract: A penetrometer sensor probe and system with a detachable sleeve section which performs radiation measurements in subsurface formations. The penetrometer sensor probe measures radiation particularly gamma radiation in real time as the sensor probe is retrieved from a subsurface formation following an initial penetrometer push operation. A sacrificial sleeve surrounding the sensor probe's radiation detector is separated from the penetrometer after an initial push operation at a particular subsurface depth. During a retraction process, a sleeve section containing the radiation detector is detached from the sacrificial sleeve of the penetrometer. The sleeve provides both strength to the penetrometer and protects the probe's radiation detector from damage. Additionally, the detachable sleeve results in significantly reduced bremsstrauling scattering radiation attributed to gamma radiation that otherwise would strike a steel casing adjacent to the radiation detector.

Abstract: A particle analyzer includes a flow cell for enclosing a sample liquid containing particles in a sheathed flow to form a flat flow of the sample liquid; an exciting light source for emitting light for exciting fluorescence to irradiate the particle in the flat flow; a capturing device for capturing a fluorescent image of the particle when the particle reaches a predetermined position of the flat flow, the exciting light source and the capturing device being disposed so that a capturing optical axis of the capturing device is perpendicular to a surface of the flat flow and orthogonal to a light emitting optical axis of the exciting light source; and a shutter device for allowing the capturing device to receive the fluorescence from the particle for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An ionization chamber for use in a smoke detector includes first and second outer electrodes and a non-reflective center electrode. The non-reflective center electrode can be formed as a metal electrode having a non-reflective coating or as a non-reflective, conductive plastic elements. The ionization chamber can be incorporated into combination smoke detector which includes a photoelectric sensor. A non-reflective center electrode, associated with the ion-type sensor is symmetrically located in the detector and displaced from the photoelectric sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of increasing the effective integration time, and, hence, reducing the noise bandwidth of a photodetector. The current output of the photodetector is converted to a voltage signal in a low pass filter. The low pass filter is preferably implemented as a switched capacitor filter.