Abstract: Systems and methods are described for carbon tips with expanded bases. A method includes producing an expanded based carbon containing tip including: fabricating a carbon containing expanded base on a substrate; and then fabricating a carbon containing fiber on the expanded base. An apparatus includes a carbon containing expanded base coupled to a substrate; and a carbon containing fiber coupled to said carbon containing expanded base.

Abstract: A method for simultaneous transmission x-ray computed tomography (CT) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT) comprises the steps of: injecting a subject with a tracer compound tagged with a &ggr;-ray emitting nuclide; directing an x-ray source toward the subject; rotating the x-ray source around the subject; emitting x-rays during the rotating step; rotating a cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) two-sided detector on an opposite side of the subject from the source; simultaneously detecting the position and energy of each pulsed x-ray and each emitted &ggr;-ray captured by the CZT detector; recording data for each position and each energy of each the captured x-ray and &ggr;-ray; and, creating CT and SPECT images from the recorded data. The transmitted energy levels of the x-rays lower are biased lower than energy levels of the &ggr;-rays. The x-ray source is operated in a continuous mode. The method can be implemented at ambient temperatures.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for field emission devices having carbon nanofiber emitters. A method, includes: providing a substrate; depositing a catalyst, the catalyst coupled to the substrate; depositing a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer coupled to the substrate; depositing an extractor layer, the extractor layer coupled to the dielectric layer; forming an extractor aperture in the extractor layer; forming a dielectric well in the dielectric layer to uncover at least a portion of the catalyst; and then fabricating a carbon containing tip i) having a base located substantially at the bottom of the dielectric well and ii) extending substantially away from the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are monolithic bioelectronic devices comprising a bioreporter and an OASIC. These bioluminescent bioreporter integrated circuit are useful in detecting substances such as pollutants, explosives, and heavy-metals residing in inhospitable areas such as groundwater, industrial process vessels, and battlefields. Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for environmental pollutant detection, oil exploration, drug discovery, industrial process control, and hazardous chemical monitoring.

Abstract: A spectrometer, comprises: a semiconductor having a silicon substrate, the substrate having integrally formed thereon a plurality of layers forming photo diodes, each of the photo diodes having an independent spectral response to an input spectra within a spectral range of the semiconductor and each of the photo diodes formed only from at least one of the plurality of layers of the semiconductor above the substrate; and, a signal processing circuit for modifying signals from the photo diodes with respective weights, the weighted signals being representative of a specific spectral response. The photo diodes have different junction depths and different polycrystalline silicon and oxide coverings. The signal processing circuit applies the respective weights and sums the weighted signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for direct-to-digital holography are described. An apparatus includes a laser; a beamsplitter optically coupled to the laser; a reference beam mirror optically coupled to the beamsplitter; an object optically coupled to the beamsplitter, a focusing lens optically coupled to both the reference beam mirror and the object; and a digital recorder optically coupled to the focusing lens. A reference beam is incident upon the reference beam mirror at a non-normal angle, and the reference beam and an object beam are focused by the focusing lens at a focal plane of the digital recorder to form an image. The systems and methods provide advantages in that computer assisted holographic measurements can be made.

Abstract: In an energy spectroscopy system in which the photon detector such as a germanium detector provides pulses indicative of incident gamma or x-ray radiation, compensation circuitry corrects the amplified pulse output for charge trapping effects in the detector. The compensated output is provided to a prior art multichannel analyzer. The compensation circuit adds to the detected pulse a correction factor proportional to a polynomial function of charge collection time of the carrier being trapped multiplied by the amplitude of the pulse. In this manner, the output pulse is increased to compensate for impediments to charged carrier migration within the structure of the detector, and resolution is improved.

Abstract: A beam profile scanner includes a probe constructed of a material that will emit electrons when struck by a particle beam such as an ion beam. The probe is passed through the ion beam and the electrons emitted by the probe are detected when they strike a detector surface that is configured and oriented to offer a substantially symmetric view to the moving probe in order to minimize changing capacitance noise. The detector surface is electrically connected to an analyzer circuit that monitors and further processes the current caused by electrons striking the dectector surface and that generates a signal corresponding to the ion beam profile. In the preferred embodiment, the detector surface is a circular metal plate charged to attract electrons emitted by the probe, and the symmetric view of the surface with respect to the probe helps to maintain noise at an acceptably low level.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a signal that is representative of the profile of an ion beam and compensates for the system noise of the ion beam profile scanner includes an ion beam profile scanner which produces a beam profile signal that is proportional to the profile of the ion beam and that has system noise from the scanner. A reference signal is produced which has a frequency proportional to the scan frequency of the beam profile signal, and at least one harmonic of the reference signal is also produced. The reference signal and at least one harmonic of the reference signal are individually adjusted in phase and amplitude to match the system noise in the beam profile signal, and the two adjusted signals are subtracted from the beam profile signal in a summation circuit. The resulting signal is representative of the beam profile and has reduced noise as compared to the beam profile signal.

Abstract: A lightweight, collapsible frame for holding a plastic trash bag upright to receive trash. The frame includes a triangular base formed from three pivoted strips that can be folded together for storage when not in use. Additionally, the frame includes three tubular posts or props which are removably attachable to the corners of the triangular base in such a way as to stand upright around the space above the base. Each of the tubular posts has a crosspiece fitted to its upper end for pivotal movement between a first position crosswise of the post, where it serves to prop up the wall of a trash bag in the space above the base when the top of the bag is folded down over it, and a second position at right angles to the first for easy packing and storage purposes. A spring clip is fastened to each of the tubular posts near its upper end.

Abstract: A device for holding a pot on a gas range burner in a moving recreational vehicle. The device is attachable to a burner grate of the type having radial bars with sloping lower edges, and it has a deck with lateral edges that interfit with a neighboring pair of the radial bars so as to support the deck on the bars and permit it to span the space between them. A pair of locking levers are pivotally supported at a common point under the deck. From their common pivot point, the locking levers extend forwardly and terminate in outturned, downwardly offset feet designed to swing outwardly into frictional contact with the lower edges of the neighboring radial bars from points intermediate the bars. To the rear, the locking levers are formed into a pair of handles. Mounted above the deck on a pair of pivoted brackets are two clamping members with forward portions formed into curved arms for embracing the pot, and rear portions serving as handles.