Abstract: A continuous imaging system for recording low levels of light typically extending over small distances with high-frame rates and with a large number of frames is described. Photodiode pixels disposed in an array having a chosen geometry, each pixel having a dedicated amplifier, analog-to-digital convertor, and memory, provide parallel operation of the system. When combined with a plurality of scintillators responsive to a selected source of radiation, in a scintillator array, the light from each scintillator being directed to a single corresponding photodiode in close proximity or lens-coupled thereto, embodiments of the present imaging system may provide images of x-ray, gamma ray, proton, and neutron sources with high efficiency.

Abstract: A continuous imaging system for recording low levels of light typically extending over small distances with high-frame rates and with a large number of frames is described. Photodiode pixels disposed in an array having a chosen geometry, each pixel having a dedicated amplifier, analog-to-digital convertor, and memory, provide parallel operation of the system. When combined with a plurality of scintillators responsive to a selected source of radiation, in a scintillator array, the light from each scintillator being directed to a single corresponding photodiode in close proximity or lens-coupled thereto, embodiments of the present imaging system may provide images of x-ray, gamma ray, proton, and neutron sources with high efficiency.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for natural language understanding, including forming pairs of words and/or phrases in independent phrases in a sentence, wherein each word and/or phrase is paired with every other word and/or phrase; determining meanings for the words and/or phrases; comparing the meanings of each word and/or phrase with each meaning of the other word and/or phrase in the pair; selecting the pairs with the best relationships; combining highly-related pairs with other highly-related pairs to form longer groups of words; exchanging word meanings for the longer groups with word meanings having a weaker relationship to determine if the exchanged word meanings provide an overall stronger relationship; and forming longer and longer groups until the sentence is understood.

Abstract: A fluid jet or filament source and a pair of coaxial high voltage electrodes, in combination, comprise an electrical discharge system to produce radiation and, in particular, EUV radiation. The fluid jet source is composed of at least two serially connected reservoirs, a first reservoir into which a fluid, that can be either a liquid or a gas, can be fed at some pressure higher than atmospheric and a second reservoir maintained at a lower pressure than the first. The fluid is allowed to expand through an aperture into a high vacuum region between a pair of coaxial electrodes. This second expansion produces a narrow well-directed fluid jet whose size is dependent on the size and configuration of the apertures and the pressure used in the reservoir. At some time during the flow of the fluid filament, a high voltage pulse is applied to the electrodes to excite the fluid to form a plasma which provides the desired radiation; the wavelength of the radiation being determined by the composition of the fluid.

Abstract: A fluid jet or filament source and a pair of coaxial high voltage electrodes, in combination, comprise an electrical discharge system to produce radiation and, in particular, EUV radiation. The fluid jet source is composed of at least two serially connected reservoirs, a first reservoir into which a fluid, that can be either a liquid or a gas, can be fed at some pressure higher than atmospheric and a second reservoir maintained at a lower pressure than the first. The fluid is allowed to expand through an aperture into a high vacuum region between a pair of coaxial electrodes. This second expansion produces a narrow well-directed fluid jet whose size is dependent on the size and configuration of the apertures and the pressure used in the reservoir. At some time during the flow of the fluid filament, a high voltage pulse is applied to the electrodes to excite the fluid to form a plasma which provides the desired radiation; the wavelength of the radiation being determined by the composition of the fluid.

Abstract: A solid state lasing medium is pumped to produce a high repetition rate laser beam. The laser medium is pumped to cause maximum population inversion. The laser medium is greater in diameter than the aperture that defines the allowable beam path. In the preferred embodiment the off-axis laser beam that is produced is steered to become an on-axis laser beam using a novel SBSA (spinning beam steering assembly). The output of the laser is increased because as the SBSA spins, the area of the lasing medium that is not lasing is being charged or pumped. The laser medium can also be hollow to allow for pumping from either outside or inside the hollow bore or both. Similarly, this hollow bore in the laser medium could also allow cooling fluids to be circulated therethrough. Different embodiments of the SBSA are disclosed, including a variety of methods to pump the laser medium. Also, disclosed is a novel field removable or replaceable laser medium housing assembly.

Abstract: A solid state lasing rod is spun on its long axis. The rod is pumped with photons while it spins. The rod is greater in diameter than the aperture. The rod is aligned off-center from the center of the aperture so that different portions of the rod are exposed to the aperture for lasing. The repetition rate of the lasing of the laser is increased because as the rod spins, the area of the rod that is not lasing is being charged. The laser rod can also be hollow to allow for pumping of the photons from either outside or inside the hollow bore or both. Similarly, this hollow bore in the laser rod could also allow cooling fluids to be circulated therethrough.