Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus includes a conversion layer for generating electrons in response to electromagnetic radiation photons, and a first semiconducting layer adjacent to the conversion layer for generating electron-hole pairs in response to electrons generated by the conversion layer.

Abstract: A radiation system employs magnetic field to move particle beams and radiation sources. The radiation system includes a source operable to produce a particle beam, a scanning magnet operable to scan the particle beam, and a target configured to be impinged by at least a portion of the scanned particle beam to produce radiation.

Abstract: A radiation apparatus includes a radiation source movable in translational and/or rotational degrees of freedom, and a structure adapted to support a body. The structure is provided with an opening to allow a portion of the body passing through to be exposed to at least a portion of the therapeutic radiation while in use.

Abstract: An image acquisition device having a photoconductor, a substrate including a detector array and an interlayer between the photoconductor and the substrate is disclosed. The interlayer is formed of molecules having a first ligand selectively binding the substrate and a second ligand selectively binding the photoconductor.

Abstract: An image acquisition device comprises a photoconductor, a substrate including a detector array, and an interlayer between the photoconductor and the substrate, wherein the interlayer is formed of molecules having a first ligand and a second ligand.

Abstract: A hunting stand is disclosed. The stand includes a base for mounting on a tree or post, platform connected to the base and an adjustable support arm connected to the base and the platform. The platform is configured to support a hunting animal, such as a dog, above a body of water or a ground surface. The hunting stand is quickly and easily adjustable such that it can be mounted on a section of a tree or post that is substantially non-vertical, has a substantially crooked center line and/or has a substantially non-uniform cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A method of delivering external radiation beams to a target volume in a body portion includes positioning a radioactive isotope source at a plurality of locations spaced apart around the body portion, and collimating radiation beams of the radioactive isotope source from the plurality of locations, whereby the target volume in the body portion is deposited with a predetermined dose distribution. A radiation device employs a member having a configuration adapted to surround a body portion to be irradiated. The member has a channel and a plurality of collimators spaced apart along and coupled to the channel. The plurality of collimators define a plurality of dwelling locations for a radioactive isotope source in the channel and are configured to collimate radiation beams of the radioactive isotope source.

Abstract: An apparatus for irradiating a breast of a patient includes a radiation source, a structure adapted to hold a breast of a patient in receiving a radiation from the radiation source, and a vacuum source. The structure includes a member having an interior generally conformal to a shape of the patient's breast when the breast is uncompressed or pendulous. The vacuum source is adapted to provide a negative pressure in the interior of the member, whereby in use of the apparatus with the patient in a supine position, the breast is held in the generally uncompressed shape.

Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus includes a conversion layer for generating electrons in response to electromagnetic radiation photons, and a first semiconducting layer adjacent to the conversion layer for generating electron-hole pairs in response to electrons generated by the conversion layer.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction-based scanning method and system are described. The method includes screening for a particular substance in a container at a transportation center using a flat panel detector having a photoconductor x-ray conversion layer to detect x-rays diffracted by a particular substance in the container. The diffracted x-rays may be characterized in different ways, for examples, by wavelength dispersive diffraction and energy dispersive diffraction.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction-based scanning method and system are described. The method includes screening for a particular substance in a container at a transportation center using a flat panel detector having a photoconductor x-ray conversion layer to detect x-rays diffracted by a particular substance in the container. The diffracted x-rays may be characterized in different ways, for examples, by wavelength dispersive diffraction and energy dispersive diffraction.

Abstract: A tank truck for collecting and transporting flowable material, the tank truck including a tank for storing flowable material and a suction hose connected to the tank so that at least a portion of the suction hose extends into the tank. A drive assembly engageable with the suction hose is provided for drawing the suction hose into and out of the tank, thereby varying the length of the suction hose outside the tank. The boom preferably includes a boom tube through which the suction hose extends. Also an extendable nozzle assembly may be attached to an end of the suction hose outside the tank. The drive assembly may take various forms and may be supported on the end of the boom. A combination of movement of the suction hose into and out of the tank, in combination with the extendable nozzle assembly, varies the effective length of the suction hose outside the tank.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction-based scanning method and system are described. The method includes screening for a particular substance in a container at a transportation center using a flat panel detector having a photoconductor x-ray conversion layer to detect x-rays diffracted by a particular substance in the container. The diffracted x-rays may be characterized in different ways, for examples, by wavelength dispersive diffraction and energy dispersive diffraction.

Abstract: An impregnated cathode comprising three layers: a very thin emitting surface layer of metal such as an alloy of tungsten with a high fraction of an activating metal of the platinum group to provide low workfunction; an underlying, thin buffer layer of porous tungsten alloyed with a fraction of activating metal, to retard diffusion loss of activating metal from the emitting layer; and a substrate of porous tungsten impregnated with barium aluminate.

Abstract: An impregnated thermionic cathode includes a porous matrix of sintered tungsten-alloy particles containing less than six percent iridium and/or other platinum-group metal. The pores of the matrix are impregnated with a temporary process impregnant such as molten copper or an organic monomer, and upon solidification is machined to a desired shape. Thereafter the temporary process impregnant is removed, and the matrix pores again infiltrated with a barium oxide such as molten barium aluminate, or other alkaline earth. A thin, iridium-rich surface activating layer, preferably of about 50% iridium, is then applied to the emitting surface. The diffusion of surface activating iridium is substantially blocked; superior emission and lifetime is provided; and the cathode is relatively low cost and easy to fabricate.

Abstract: A very fine-mesh, non-emissive shadow grid is formed on the smooth emissive surface 16 of a thermionic cathode 12 by deposition from a vapor a continuous layer 22 of non-emissive conductive material. Between the elements 24 of the grid the non-emissive material is removed by bombardment through an apertured mask to restore emissivity between the elevated grid elements 24.

Abstract: A gun for generating a multiple sheet beams 50 of electrons has a flat surfaced cathode 10 with parallel protruding ridges 12 of non-emitting material forming parallel focus electrodes for the sheet beamlets. A control grid of parallel bars 14 is aligned with the ridges 12 to reduce grid interruption. The beamlets may be focussed between support bars 54 of a foil anode 52 for passing the beam into a high-pressure volume such as a gas laser 48. The ridges are formed by inserting non-emissive bent sheets into grooves 58 in the cathode, which are dovetailed to hold them.

Abstract: Porous agglomerates are made from pure tungsten by sintering fine particles together and mechanically breaking down the mass to form some agglomerates considerably larger than the particles. These agglomerates are mixed with fine iridium powder and sintered to form a porous mass. The mass is machined to the cathode shapes and impregnated with an alkaline earth aluminate. The large agglomerates alloy with the iridium only on their outer surface. Their pure tungsten interior provides the surfaces to reduce the alkaline earth oxide to the metal which activates the cathode.

Abstract: A thermionic cathode (FIG. 1) comprises an emitter (3) comprising a matrix (4) of tungsten impregnated with an alkaline earth activator. The matrix is coated with a coating (5) of about 20-30% osmium fully alloyed with tungsten formed by cosputtering osmium and tungsten onto the matrix. A diffusion barrier (6) of osmium may be interposed between the matrix 4 and coating (5) (FIG. 2) and, optionally, osmium may be diffused into the matrix (4). Alternatively the whole matrix may comprise a mixture of about 20-30% osmium fully alloyed with tungsten (FIG. 3). Alternative to osmium and tungsten may be used, and various modifications may be made, and other methods of making the emitter may be used. In particular the proportion of osmium may be about 40%.