Abstract: A food irradiation system including a plurality of compact linac systems is described herein. Each compact linac system, of the plurality of compact linac systems, includes: a high energy particle beam source providing a particle beam at up to 10 MeV; an emission target assembly configured to generate bremsstrahlung x-rays when impacted by particles of the particle beam; and a drift tube through which the particle beam passes on a path from the high energy particle beam source to the emission target assembly. The emission target assembly is positioned at a distal end of the drift tube for direct impingement of the particle beam to generate the bremsstrahlung x-rays in a directed radiation beam. Ones of the plurality of compact linac systems are individually positioned such that, as a group, the plurality of compact linac systems provide directed radiation beam coverage at prescribed radiation dose levels for an overall cumulative volume.

Abstract: An associated particle-based inspection apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a grounded target region and a neutron generator that produces a neutron and one or more corresponding charged particles. The apparatus further includes an associated particle imaging (API) detector comprising a particle detector that detects the one or more corresponding charged particles, wherein the particle detector comprises at least one particle detector element that facilitates determining a trajectory, origination time, and a velocity of the neutron based upon a detection, by a particular one of the at least one particle detector element, of the corresponding charged particles.

Abstract: An associated particle-based inspection apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a grounded target region and a neutron generator that produces a neutron and one or more corresponding charged particles. The apparatus further includes an associated particle imaging (API) detector comprising a particle detector that detects the one or more corresponding charged particles, wherein the particle detector comprises at least one particle detector element that facilitates determining a trajectory, origination time, and a velocity of the neutron based upon a detection, by a particular one of the at least one particle detector element, of the corresponding charged particles.

Abstract: A wellbore inspection apparatus and a corresponding method of operation are described. The wellbore inspection apparatus comprises a neutron generator that produces, by a fusion reaction, a neutron and a corresponding charged particle. An associated particle imaging (API) detector comprises a particle detector array that detects the corresponding charged particle. The particle detector array comprises a plurality of particle detector elements that facilitate determining a trajectory of the neutron based upon a detection, by a particular one of the plurality of particle detector elements, of the corresponding charged particle. A gamma-ray detector assembly comprises a set of gamma-ray detector elements, and a set of collimating structures, where adjacent pairs of the set of collimating structures define a gamma-ray path for a gamma-ray arising from an inelastic collision of the neutron.

Abstract: A wellbore inspection apparatus and a corresponding method of operation are described. The wellbore inspection apparatus comprises a neutron generator that produces, by a fusion reaction, a neutron and a corresponding charged particle. An associated particle imaging (API) detector comprises a particle detector array that detects the corresponding charged particle. The particle detector array comprises a plurality of particle detector elements that facilitate determining a trajectory of the neutron based upon a detection, by a particular one of the plurality of particle detector elements, of the corresponding charged particle. A gamma-ray detector assembly comprises a set of gamma-ray detector elements, and a set of collimating structures, where adjacent pairs of the set of collimating structures define a gamma-ray path for a gamma-ray arising from an inelastic collision of the neutron.

Abstract: Embodiments utilize high energy particles generated by nuclear reactions involving neutron radiation and neutron-sensitive materials to generate and maintain an electric potential gradient between an electrode and a region separated from the electrode by an electric insulator. System and methods contemplated by the invention thereby enable passive detection of neutrons without an externally applied electric potential bias by maintaining a charge accumulation facilitated by nuclear reactions involving neutrons. The charge accumulation produces an electric potential gradient within an electric insulator that separates the charge accumulation from an exterior region.

Abstract: Embodiments utilize high energy particles generated by nuclear reactions involving neutron radiation and neutron-sensitive materials to generate and maintain an electric potential gradient between an electrode and a region separated from the electrode by an electric insulator. System and methods contemplated by the invention thereby enable passive detection of neutrons without an externally applied electric potential bias by maintaining a charge accumulation facilitated by nuclear reactions involving neutrons. The charge accumulation produces an electric potential gradient within an electric insulator that separates the charge accumulation from an exterior region.

Abstract: A system for non-contact cleaning of particulate contamination of surfaces includes one or more sources that create a charge imbalance between a surface and particles that contaminate the surface, and a power supply that creates a pulsed electrical bias on the surface. This imbalance produces an electrostatic force that propels the particles off the surface. The cleaning process can be associated, for example, with microelectronic lithography and manufacturing.

Abstract: A system for non-contact cleaning of particulate contamination of surfaces includes one or more sources that create a charge imbalance between a surface and particles that contaminate the surface, and a power supply that creates a pulsed electrical bias on the surface. This imbalance produces an electrostatic force that propels the particles off the surface. The cleaning process can be associated, for example, with microelectronic lithography and manufacturing.