Abstract: Detecting and identifying ions using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and an ion separation pre-filter, such as an ion spectrometer, are provided. The combination of an ion separator as a pre-filter for SERS provides a highly sensitive detector with very low false alarm rates. Target ions from an ionized sample are identified and separated by the ion separator. The target ions are steered and deposited onto a SERS substrate for Raman spectroscopic analysis with an optical probe. The Raman spectrum is compared with reference spectra and the composition of the sample is identified. The ion current from the target ions can also be measured, preferably concurrently with the Raman spectrum measurement. Types of ion separators include a differential ion mobility spectrometer, an ion mobility spectrometer, or a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Detecting and identifying ions using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and an ion separation pre-filter, such as an ion spectrometer, are provided. The combination of an ion separator as a pre-filter for SERS provides a highly sensitive detector with very low false alarm rates. Target ions from an ionized sample are identified and separated by the ion separator. The target ions are steered and deposited onto a SERS substrate for Raman spectroscopic analysis with an optical probe. The Raman spectrum is compared with reference spectra and the composition of the sample is identified. The ion current from the target ions can also be measured, preferably concurrently with the Raman spectrum measurement. Types of ion separators include a differential ion mobility spectrometer, an ion mobility spectrometer, or a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance antenna system with wide interrogation zones has a number of core transceiver antennas with each connectable to a transmitter. The core transceiver antennas are adapted to be installed adjacent a ceiling of the wide interrogation zone and generate an interrogation signal into the wide interrogation zone. The core transceiver antennas each are connectable to a receiver to receive and detect a response signal from an electronic surveillance marker disposed in the wide interrogation zone. The system also has transceiver antenna coils with each connectable to the transmitter and adapted to be installed adjacent a floor of the wide interrogation zone. The transceiver antenna coils generate the interrogation signal into the wide interrogation zone and each is also connectable to the receiver to receive and detect the response signal from the electronic surveillance marker disposed in the wide interrogation zone.

Abstract: A security tag includes an EAS component having a defined surface area, and an RFID component having a defined surface area. The EAS component surface area is configured to at least partially overlap the RFID component surface area. The RFID component includes an antenna which at least partially overlaps the first surface. A substantially planar spacer having a thickness is at least partially disposed between the defined surface areas of the EAS and RFID components. The RFID element read range is affected and controlled by the spacing between the RFID element and the EAS element. The RFID reader is capable of activating the RFID component when the RFID component is within the read range. The antenna includes a magnetic loop antenna in electrical contact with a spiral antenna to increase near field read response.

Abstract: A security tag includes an EAS component having a defined surface area, and an RFID component having a defined surface area. The EAS component surface area is configured to at least partially overlap the RFID component surface area. The RFID component includes an antenna which at least partially overlaps the first surface. A substantially planar spacer having a thickness is at least partially disposed between the defined surface areas of the EAS and RFID components. The RFID element read range is affected and controlled by the spacing between the RFID element and the EAS element. The RFID reader is capable of activating the RFID component when the RFID component is within the read range. The antenna includes a magnetic loop antenna in electrical contact with a spiral antenna to increase near field read response.

Abstract: A security tag includes an EAS component having a defined surface area, and an RFID component having a defined surface area. The EAS component surface area is configured to at least partially overlap the RFID component surface area. The RFID component includes an antenna which at least partially overlaps the first surface. A substantially planar spacer having a thickness is at least partially disposed between the defined surface areas of the EAS and RFID components. The thickness of the spacer is configured to effect a read range between an RFID reader and the RFID component. The RFID reader is capable of activating the RFID component when the RFID component is within the read range. The antenna has a complex impedance, and the EAS component forms a part of an impedance matching network of the antenna.

Abstract: A near field linear element microstrip antenna is disclosed which is configured to read an RFID label such that a localized electric E field emitted by the antenna at an operating wavelength resides substantially within a zone defined by the near field. The localized E field directs a current distribution along an effective length of the antenna corresponding to a half-wave to a full-wave structure.

Abstract: A security device detaches a combination electronic article surveillance (EAS) and radio frequency identification (RFID) tag (EAS/RFID tag), and includes a detacher (magnet) to selectively disengage a clutch release disposed in a first portion of the combination EAS/RFID tag, a near field antenna configured to electronically read information stored in a second portion of the combination EAS/RFID tag. The antenna encircles the detacher and reads information from the second portion of the combination EAS/RFID tag at a position relative to the detacher when the second portion of the tag is disposed at any angle relative to the detacher and only when the detacher is positioned to disengage the clutch release. As long as the portion of the EAS/RFID tag containing the clutch end mechanism is located over the detaching magnet, the RFID label is in a valid detection zone regardless of its orientation relative to the antenna.

Abstract: A near field meanderline like antenna assembly is disclosed which is configured to read an RFID label. The antenna is configured as a single and continuous conductor and is configured to extend from one end of a substrate forming a feed point to another end of a substrate forming a termination point. The termination point is connected to a ground through a resistor and the conductor is configured to direct current in two dimensions along the conductor. A localized E field directs a current distribution along an effective length of the antenna corresponding to a half-wave to a full-wave structure.

Abstract: A security device detaches a combination electronic article surveillance (EAS) and radio frequency identification (RFID) tag (EAS/RFID tag), and includes a detacher (magnet) to selectively disengage a clutch release disposed in a first portion of the combination EAS/RFID tag, a near field circular microstrip antenna configured to electronically read information stored in a second portion of the combination EAS/RFID tag. The antenna encircles the detacher and reads information from the second portion of the combination EAS/RFID tag at a position relative to the detacher when the second portion of the tag is disposed at any angle relative to the detacher and only when the detacher is positioned to disengage the clutch release. As long as the portion of the EAS/RFID tag containing the clutch end mechanism is located over the detaching magnet, the RFID label is in a valid detection zone regardless of its orientation relative to the antenna.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method to detect RFID tags in electronic article surveillance systems using frequency mixing. The system includes an RFID module that includes an energy coupler to receive transmitted energy that includes a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency, and a mixing element to mix the first and second signals, to generate a third signal at a third frequency, and the energy coupler to transmit the third signal to an EAS detection system. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A core antenna system for use in electronic article surveillance (EAS) and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. The core antenna system may include a core antenna. The core antenna may include a core, a first resonant winding disposed around at least a portion of the core, the first resonant winding having a first number of winding turns N1, and a second non-resonant winding disposed around at least a portion of the core, the second non-resonant winding having a second number of winding turns N2, the second number of turns greater than or equal to the first number of turns. The core antenna may be mounted on a shield plate and tuned to an operating frequency on the shield plate such that when the shielded core antenna is further mounted on a mounting surface, e.g., of a checkstand, no significant de-tuning of the antenna takes place.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to tune an antenna for a security tag may be described.

Abstract: A nanocrystalline core antenna for use in electronic article surveillance (EAS) and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. The nanocrystalline antenna is constructed from nanocrystalline material and exhibits improved detection range in EAS and RFID systems compared to conventional antenna configurations.

Abstract: A phase compensated loop antenna having phase compensation elements distributed along the length thereof. The phase compensation elements compensate for current variations along the antenna length resulting from increasing the length of the antenna. A nested loop configuration incorporating at least one phase compensated loop antenna is also provided.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive element for use in a magnetomechanical marker has a resonant frequency characteristic that is at a minimum at a bias field level corresponding to the operating point of the magnetomechanical marker. The magnetostrictive element has a magnetomechanical coupling factor k in the range 0.28 to 0.4 at the operating point. The magnetostrictive element is formed by applying current-annealing to an iron-nickel-cobalt based amorphous metal ribbon, or by cross-field annealing an iron-nickel-cobalt alloy that includes a few percent chromium and/or niobium.

Abstract: A semi-hard magnetic element is formed of an amorphous soft iron-metalloid material containing at least 50 atomic percent iron and at least a part of the bulk of which has been crystallized to give the overall element semi-hard magnetic properties.