Abstract: A vessel for removing bubbles from a fluid is provided. The vessel includes a fluid inlet port for receiving the fluid and a bubble outlet for removing bubbles in the fluid from the vessel. One or more ultrasonic transducers transmit one or more ultrasonic beams through the received fluid to move bubbles in the fluid towards the bubble outlet. A fluid outlet port outputs the fluid insonified by the one or more ultrasonic beams. A conduit structure conveys the one or more ultrasonic beams through the vessel in a first direction towards the air outlet. An interface prevents reflection of one or more ultrasonic beams in a direction generally opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A light source directs ultraviolet light onto a test surface and a detector detects a current of photoelectrons generated by the light. The detector includes a collector which is positively biased with respect to the test surface. Quality is indicated based on the photoelectron current. The collector is then negatively biased to replace charges removed by the measurement of a nonconducting substrate to permit subsequent measurements. Also, the intensity of the ultraviolet light at a particular wavelength is monitored and the voltage of the light source varied to maintain the light a constant desired intensity. The light source is also cooled via a gas circulation system. If the test surface is an insulator, the surface is bombarded with ultraviolet light in the presence of an electron field to remove the majority of negative charges from the surface. The test surface is then exposed to an ion field until it possesses no net charge. The technique described above is then performed to assess quality.