Abstract: Methods for discriminating among x-ray beams of distinct energy content. A first volume of scintillation medium converts energy of incident penetrating radiation into scintillation light which is extracted from a scintillation light extraction region by a plurality of optical waveguides that convert the scintillation light to light of a longer wavelength. An x-ray beam initially incident upon the first volume of scintillation medium and traversing the first volume is then incident on a second volume of scintillation medium. The first and second scintillation media may be separated by an absorber or one or more further volumes of scintillation medium, and may also have differential spectral sensitivities. Scintillation light from the first and second scintillation volumes is detected in respective detectors and processed to yield a measure of respective low energy and high-energy components of the incident x-ray beam.

Abstract: Methods for discriminating among x-ray beams of distinct energy content. A first volume of scintillation medium converts energy of incident penetrating radiation into scintillation light which is extracted from a scintillation light extraction region by a plurality of optical waveguides that convert the scintillation light to light of a longer wavelength. An x-ray beam initially incident upon the first volume of scintillation medium and traversing the first volume is then incident on a second volume of scintillation medium. The first and second scintillation media may be separated by an absorber or one or more further volumes of scintillation medium, and may also have differential spectral sensitivities. Scintillation light from the first and second scintillation volumes is detected in respective detectors and processed to yield a measure of respective low energy and high-energy components of the incident x-ray beam.

Abstract: Methods for discriminating among x-ray beams of distinct energy content. A first volume of scintillation medium converts energy of incident penetrating radiation into scintillation light which is extracted from a scintillation light extraction region by a plurality of optical waveguides that convert the scintillation light to light of a longer wavelength. An x-ray beam initially incident upon the first volume of scintillation medium and traversing the first volume is then incident on a second volume of scintillation medium. The first and second scintillation media may be separated by an absorber or one or more further volumes of scintillation medium, and may also have differential spectral sensitivities. Scintillation light from the first and second scintillation volumes is detected in respective detectors and processed to yield a measure of respective low energy and high-energy components of the incident x-ray beam.

Abstract: Methods for discriminating among x-ray beams of distinct energy content. A first volume of scintillation medium converts energy of incident penetrating radiation into scintillation light which is extracted from a scintillation light extraction region by a plurality of optical waveguides that convert the scintillation light to light of a longer wavelength. An x-ray beam initially incident upon the first volume of scintillation medium and traversing the first volume is then incident on a second volume of scintillation medium. The first and second scintillation media may be separated by an absorber or one or more further volumes of scintillation medium, and may also have differential spectral sensitivities. Scintillation light from the first and second scintillation volumes is detected in respective detectors and processed to yield a measure of respective low energy and high-energy components of the incident x-ray beam.

Abstract: Methods for discriminating among x-ray beams of distinct energy content. A first volume of scintillation medium converts energy of incident penetrating radiation into scintillation light which is extracted from a scintillation light extraction region by a plurality of optical waveguides that convert the scintillation light to light of a longer wavelength. An x-ray beam initially incident upon the first volume of scintillation medium and traversing the first volume is then incident on a second volume of scintillation medium. The first and second scintillation media may be separated by an absorber or one or more further volumes of scintillation medium, and may also have differential spectral sensitivities. Scintillation light from the first and second scintillation volumes is detected in respective detectors and processed to yield a measure of respective low energy and high-energy components of the incident x-ray beam.

Abstract: A detector and methods for inspecting material on the basis of scintillator coupled by wavelength-shifting optical fiber to one or more photo-detectors, with a temporal integration of the photo-detector signal. An unpixelated volume of scintillation medium converts energy of incident penetrating radiation into scintillation light which is extracted from a scintillation light extraction region by a plurality of optical waveguides. This geometry provides for efficient and compact detectors, enabling hitherto unattainable geometries for backscatter detection and for energy discrimination of incident radiation. Additional energy-resolving transmission configurations are enabled as are skew- and misalignment compensation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions to a clathrate that includes chlorine dioxide (ClO2) are provided. Clathrates trap gaseous chlorine dioxide to provide a dry solid material that is stable and easy to use and handle. Stable formulations of gaseous chlorine dioxide are useful as disinfectants.

Abstract: Methods and compositions to produce chlorine dioxide by reacting one or more reactants under the presence of polarized ultraviolet radiation, an electromagnetic field (EMF), successive chambers, and coiled configurations are disclosed. Polarized ultraviolet radiation and EMF favor the formation of chlorine dioxide and reduces the reversible reactions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting an object with a scanned beam of penetrating radiation are disclosed. Scattered radiation from the beam is detected, in either the backward or forward direction. Characteristic values of the backscattered radiation are compared to expected reference values to characterize the object. Additionally, penetrating radiation transmitted through the inspected object may be combined with scatter information. In certain embodiments, the inspected field of view is less than 0.1 steradians, and the detector is separate from the source of penetrating radiation and is disposed, with respect to the object, such as to subtend greater than 0.5 steradians in the field of view of the object.

Abstract: Methods and compositions to a clathrate that includes chlorine dioxide (ClO2) are provided. Clathrates trap gaseous chlorine dioxide to provide a dry solid material that is stable and easy to use and handle. Stable formulations of gaseous chlorine dioxide are useful as disinfectants.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting an object with a scanned beam of penetrating radiation are disclosed. Scattered radiation from the beam is detected, in either the backward or forward direction. Characteristic values of the backscattered radiation are compared to expected reference values to characterize the object. Additionally, penetrating radiation transmitted through the inspected object may be combined with scatter information. In certain embodiments, the inspected field of view is less than 0.1 steradians, and the detector is separate from the source of penetrating radiation and is disposed, with respect to the object, such as to subtend greater than 0.5 steradians in the field of view of the object.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods that permit an operator of a backscatter x-ray system to shine a search light on a closed container or vehicle, and then image the contents of that container in a region roughly corresponding to the area of the container covered by the search light. A display near the operator presents the backscatter image of the container contents.

Abstract: An inspection system based on penetrating radiation provides an option to significantly narrow the field of view of a scan. First and second primary limiting apertures are provided for interposition between a source of penetrating radiation and an inspected object. This allows for significantly increasing the flux of penetrating radiation on this narrowed region of interest, thereby advantageously improving detectability. Alternatively or in addition, an operator can use the higher flux to increase the distance from which an object can be imaged. Embodiments include both scatter and transmission systems that employ a pencil beam.

Abstract: A clathrate is provided that includes chlorine dioxide. The clathrate is effective for entrapping chlorine dioxide to provide a dry solid material. The clathrate is formed as a reaction product of saccharides, organic acids, and the addition of chlorine dioxide and enhancers.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an object with transmitted and/or scattered penetrating radiation using either a fan beam or multiple pencil beams while maintaining resolution comparable to that achievable using a single scannable pencil beam. The system and method provide for spatial resolution of transmitted radiation using a fan beam or multiple pencil beams and a nonsegmented detector.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer and its method of fabrication wherein bonding between an impedance matching layer on one side of a piezoelectric layer and a support layer on the other side of the piezoelectric material is made by providing onto each material a smooth, thin gold film on the smooth surfaces of the layers which are to be in contact with one another in the assembled transducer. The layers are bonded to each other by the gold films under moderate temperature and pressure to form the transducer. Sawing of the impedance matching and piezoelectric layers into a plurality of parallel transducers attached to the support layer forms an array.

Abstract: Chlorine dioxide is produced by subjecting a mixture of chlorine gas and oxygen to ultraviolet radiation. The source for chlorine and oxygen may be an alkali metal or alkaline metal hypochlorite.

Abstract: Chlorine dioxide is produced by subjecting a chlorite to ultraviolet radiation. The source for chlorite may be an aqueous solution of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chlorite. Chloride ions and/or hydrogen ions may be added to the solution.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer and its method of fabrication wherein bonding between an impedance matching layer on one side of a piezoelectric layer and a support layer on the other side of the piezoelectric material is made by providing onto each material a smooth, thin gold film on the smooth surfaces of the layers which are to be in contact with one another in the assembled transducer. The layers are bonded to each other by the gold films under moderate temperature and pressure to form the transducer. Sawing of the impedance matching and piezoelectric layers into a plurality of parallel transducers attached to the support layer forms an array.

Abstract: A probe detects sonic energy in liquids and in materials containing liquids such as the flesh of living beings, the probe being particularly adapted for medical ultrasonics. The probe is constructed of materials having acoustic impedances substantially equal to that of water to maximize the transfer of sonic energy in a living being to an electric signal within the probe for accurate detection of high frequency pulses having a duration less than a microsecond. A piezoelectric polymer serves as the transducer and is mounted at the end of the probe housing between a thin metallic window which serves as one electrode, and a metallized rubber rod which serves as the second electrode and sonically insulates the transducer from the housing. An acoustically absorbent ring affixed to the perimeter of the face of the probe, and a flaring of the back end of the probe, reduce the diffraction and reflection of acoustic waves for improved accuracy in the measurement of submicrosecond pulses.