Abstract: One feature pertains to a radiation dosimeter comprising a microdosimeter cell array that includes a first microdosimeter cell having a first semiconductor volume configured to generate a first current in response to incident radiation. The first semiconductor volume may have at least one of a first size, a first shape, a first semiconductor type, and/or a first semiconductor doping type and concentration that is associated with a first biological cell type or a first biological cell component type. The dosimeter may further comprise a processing circuit communicatively coupled to the microdosimeter cell array and configured to generate a signal based on the first current. The signal generated may be indicative of an amount of radiation absorbed by the microdosimeter cell array. A display may be utilized by the dosimeter to show a radiation level reading based on the signal generated.

Abstract: One feature pertains to a microdosimeter cell array that includes a plurality of microdosimeter cells each having a semiconductor volume adapted to generate a current in response to incident radiation. The semiconductor volumes of each of the plurality of microdosimeter cells have at least one of a size, a shape, a semiconductor type, and/or a semiconductor doping type and concentration that is associated with one or more cells or cell components of a human eye. A processing circuit is also communicatively coupled to the microdosimeter cell array and generates a signal based on the currents generated by the semiconductor volumes of the plurality of microdosimeter cells. The signal generated by the processing circuit is indicative of an amount of radiation absorbed by the microdosimeter cell array.

Abstract: One feature pertains to a radiation dosimeter comprising a microdosimeter cell array that includes a first microdosimeter cell having a first semiconductor volume configured to generate a first current in response to incident radiation. The first semiconductor volume may have at least one of a first size, a first shape, a first semiconductor type, and/or a first semiconductor doping type and concentration that is associated with a first biological cell type or a first biological cell component type. The dosimeter may further comprise a processing circuit communicatively coupled to the microdosimeter cell array and configured to generate a signal based on the first current. The signal generated may be indicative of an amount of radiation absorbed by the microdosimeter cell array. A display may be utilized by the dosimeter to show a radiation level reading based on the signal generated.

Abstract: One feature pertains to a microdosimeter cell array that includes a plurality of microdosimeter cells each having a semiconductor volume adapted to generate a current in response to incident radiation. The semiconductor volumes of each of the plurality of microdosimeter cells have at least one of a size, a shape, a semiconductor type, and/or a semiconductor doping type and concentration that is associated with one or more cells or cell components of a human eye. A processing circuit is also communicatively coupled to the microdosimeter cell array and generates a signal based on the currents generated by the semiconductor volumes of the plurality of microdosimeter cells. The signal generated by the processing circuit is indicative of an amount of radiation absorbed by the microdosimeter cell array.

Abstract: One feature pertains to a radiation dosimeter comprising a microdosimeter cell array that includes a first microdosimeter cell having a first semiconductor volume configured to generate a first current in response to incident radiation. The first semiconductor volume may have at least one of a first size, a first shape, a first semiconductor type, and/or a first semiconductor doping type and concentration that is associated with a first biological cell type or a first biological cell component type. The dosimeter may further comprise a processing circuit communicatively coupled to the microdosimeter cell array and configured to generate a signal based on the first current. The signal generated may be indicative of an amount of radiation absorbed by the microdosimeter cell array. A display may be utilized by the dosimeter to show a radiation level reading based on the signal generated.

Abstract: One feature pertains to a radiation dosimeter comprising a microdosimeter cell array that includes a first microdosimeter cell having a first semiconductor volume configured to generate a first current in response to incident radiation. The first semiconductor volume may have at least one of a first size, a first shape, a first semiconductor type, and/or a first semiconductor doping type and concentration that is associated with a first biological cell type or a first biological cell component type. The dosimeter may further comprise a processing circuit communicatively coupled to the microdosimeter cell array and configured to generate a signal based on the first current. The signal generated may be indicative of an amount of radiation absorbed by the microdosimeter cell array. A display may be utilized by the dosimeter to show a radiation level reading based on the signal generated.

Abstract: One feature pertains to a radiation dosimeter comprising a microdosimeter cell array that includes a first microdosimeter cell having a first semiconductor volume configured to generate a first current in response to incident radiation. The first semiconductor volume may have at least one of a first size, a first shape, a first semiconductor type, and/or a first semiconductor doping type and concentration that is associated with a first biological cell type or a first biological cell component type. The dosimeter may further comprise a processing circuit communicatively coupled to the microdosimeter cell array and configured to generate a signal based on the first current. The signal generated may be indicative of an amount of radiation absorbed by the microdosimeter cell array. A display may be utilized by the dosimeter to show a radiation level reading based on the signal generated.

Abstract: A method of removal of a first and second sacrificial layer wherein an O2 plasma or an O2-containing environment is introduced to a cavity and a gap region through a plurality of via holes in a cavity capping material.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator or filter including a first conductive layer, one or more electrodes patterned in the first conductive layer which serve the function of signal input, signal output, or DC biasing, or some combination of these functions, an evacuated cavity, a resonating member comprised of a lower conductive layer and an upper structural layer, a first air gap between the resonating member and one or more of the electrodes, an upper membrane covering the cavity, and a second air gap between the resonating member and the upper membrane.

Abstract: A method of formation of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator or filter which is compatible with integration with any analog, digital, or mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC) process, after or concurrently with the formation of the metal interconnect layers in those processes, by virtue of its materials of composition, processing steps, and temperature of fabrication is presented. The MEMS resonator or filter incorporates a lower metal level, which forms the electrodes of the MEMS resonator or filter, that may be shared with any or none of the existing metal interconnect levels on the IC. It further incorporates a resonating member that is comprised of at least one metal layer for electrical connection and electrostatic actuation, and at least one dielectric layer for structural purposes. The gap between the electrodes and the resonating member is created by the deposition and subsequent removal of a sacrificial layer comprised of a carbon-based material.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator or filter including a first conductive layer, one or more electrodes patterned in the first conductive layer which serve the function of signal input, signal output, or DC biasing, or some combination of these functions, an evacuated cavity, a resonating member comprised of a lower conductive layer and an upper structural layer, a first air gap between the resonating member and one or more of the electrodes, an upper membrane covering the cavity, and a second air gap between the resonating member and the upper membrane.

Abstract: A method of formation of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator or filter which is compatible with integration with any analog, digital, or mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC) process, after or concurrently with the formation of the metal interconnect layers in those processes, by virtue of its materials of composition, processing steps, and temperature of fabrication is presented. The MEMS resonator or filter incorporates a lower metal level, which forms the electrodes of the MEMS resonator or filter, that may be shared with any or none of the existing metal interconnect levels on the IC. It further incorporates a resonating member that is comprised of at least one metal layer for electrical connection and electrostatic actuation, and at least one dielectric layer for structural purposes. The gap between the electrodes and the resonating member is created by the deposition and subsequent removal of a sacrificial layer comprised of a carbon-based material.

Abstract: The invention allows more accurate localization of radiation volumes during radiation treatment of tumors. The equipment includes radiation detector elements placed behind the patient during radiation, for treatment of a tumor condition. Such a detector may be constructed of semiconductor or a scintillating material. The radiation treatment plan for the patient includes an additional calculation of the treatment beam energy required for to enable the treatment beam to transit the patient. The energy required for patient transit is then measured, using a treatment beam with a beam current below that which will induce significant tissue damage. The experimental transit flux is then compared to the calculated transit flux, and the difference is used to correct the beam transport parameters in the original radiation treatment plan. Hence lower radiation doses and smaller radiation volumes can be achieved, reducing deleterious radiation side effects.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for therapeutic treatment of an organ, tumor, or other internal structure of a living body with therapeutic radiation after implantation, at the organ, of a magnetic element to identify the location of the organ, the element being capable of emitting a magnetic signal in response to an applied magnetic field. The system comprises a magnetic field generator for irradiating the magnetic element with an applied magnetic field, a movable magnetic field sensor for detecting the magnetic signal from a plurality of selected mutually displaced positions to produce a corresponding plurality of element-locating signals, a computing apparatus for converting the signals to a location image of the internal structure, and a controlled source of therapeutic radiation for focussing a selected degree and duration of therapeutic radiation at a target determined from the location image of the magnetic element.

Abstract: This invention helps achieve accurate focussing of therapeutic radiation at an internal structure (e.g. cancerous organ), which is often substantially movable within a living body. For this purpose, suitable sensors are laproscopically or surgically implanted at the location of the organ. These sensors may include semiconductor materials, scintillation materials, piezo-acoustic materials, x-ray emitters, or other materials which emit a signal when they are scanned by a beam of harmless investigative radiation, such as low intensity therapeutic radiation. The emitted signal is then monitored via implanted wires or light fibers or via external detectors during scanning to determine the targetted location at which a signal maximum occurs, whereupon the desired intensity of therapeutic radiation is focussed on this targetted location.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an invention for increasing the current carrying capability of high-Tc superconductor materials. The inventive method includes irradiating such superconductors with light particles, such as neutrons, protons and thermal neutrons, having energy sufficient to cause fission of one or more elements in the superconductor material at a dose rate and for a time sufficient to create highly splayed (dispersed in orientation) extended columns of damaged material therein. These splayed tracks significantly enhance the pinning of magnetic vortices thereby effectively reducing the vortex creep at high temperatures resulting in increased current carrying capability.

Abstract: An efficient converter of photon energy to heat has been devised comprising a dense array of metal whiskers grown with spacings between the whiskers of a few wavelengths of visible light. The material selected, and tungsten is exemplary of such materials, has low emissivity, but achieves significant optical absorption by trapping the light impinging on the dense array by a geometric maze effect. The characteristics of the surface are excellent for the conversion of solar energy to heat.