Abstract: A tomographic system accurately determines characteristics of a specific region within an inhomogeneous dielectric specimen by guiding an electromagnetic field through the inhomogeneous dielectric specimen in a transverse mode. The system may include a source of electromagnetic energy for generating an electromagnetic waveform, and a transmission line for guiding an electric field of the waveform along a prescribed path that defines a series of spatial regions. The transmission line is provided by a pair or array of conductors, the electric field spanning between two or more of the conductors as the electric field propagates along the prescribed path. The conductors may form part of an external non-contact structure which guides and controls the electromagnetic field both spatially and temporally.

Abstract: A system for determining characteristics of a specific region within an inhomogeneous dielectric specimen by guiding propagation of electric fields through the inhomogeneous dielectric specimen is provided herein. Various embodiments include at least one source of electromagnetic energy for generating electromagnetic waveforms, the electromagnetic waveforms comprising electric fields propagating along a prescribed path that defines a series of spatial regions through which the electric fields propagate. In some embodiments the prescribed path includes electric field modulating elements that determine a rate of electric field propagation along the prescribed path. Some embodiments include a plurality of conductors for guiding the electric field propagation through an inhomogeneous dielectric specimen in the prescribed path, the electric fields spanning between two or more of the plurality of conductors as the electric fields propagate along the prescribed path.

Abstract: Methods for determining characteristics of a specific region within an inhomogeneous specimen by guiding propagation of fields through the inhomogeneous specimen is provided herein. Various embodiments include at least one source of electromagnetic energy for generating electromagnetic waveforms, the electromagnetic waveforms comprising electric and magnetic fields propagating along a prescribed path that defines a series of spatial regions through which the fields propagate. In some embodiments the prescribed path includes field modulating elements that determine a rate of field propagation along the prescribed path. Some embodiments include a plurality of conductors for guiding the field propagation through an inhomogeneous specimen in the prescribed path, the fields spanning between two or more of the plurality of conductors as the fields propagate along the prescribed path. In some embodiments the plurality of conductors are external to the inhomogeneous specimen.

Abstract: A system for determining characteristics of a specific region within an inhomogeneous dielectric specimen by guiding propagation of electric fields through the inhomogeneous dielectric specimen is provided herein. Various embodiments include at least one source of electromagnetic energy for generating electromagnetic waveforms, the electromagnetic waveforms comprising electric fields propagating along a prescribed path that defines a series of spatial regions through which the electric fields propagate. In some embodiments the prescribed path includes electric field modulating elements that determine a rate of electric field propagation along the prescribed path. Some embodiments include a plurality of conductors for guiding the electric field propagation through an inhomogeneous dielectric specimen in the prescribed path, the electric fields spanning between two or more of the plurality of conductors as the electric fields propagate along the prescribed path.

Abstract: A system for determining characteristics of a specific region within an inhomogeneous dielectric specimen by guiding propagation of electric fields through the inhomogeneous dielectric specimen is provided herein. Various embodiments include at least one source of electromagnetic energy for generating electromagnetic waveforms, the electromagnetic waveforms comprising electric fields propagating along a prescribed path that defines a series of spatial regions through which the electric fields propagate. In some embodiments the prescribed path includes electric field modulating elements that determine a rate of electric field propagation along the prescribed path. Some embodiments include a plurality of conductors for guiding the electric field propagation through an inhomogeneous dielectric specimen in the prescribed path, the electric fields spanning between two or more of the plurality of conductors as the electric fields propagate along the prescribed path.

Abstract: A system for determining characteristics of a specific region within an inhomogeneous dielectric specimen by guiding propagation of electric fields through the inhomogeneous dielectric specimen is provided herein. Various embodiments include at least one source of electromagnetic energy for generating electromagnetic waveforms, the electromagnetic waveforms comprising electric fields propagating along a prescribed path that defines a series of spatial regions through which the electric fields propagate. In some embodiments the prescribed path includes electric field modulating elements that determine a rate of electric field propagation along the prescribed path. Some embodiments include a plurality of conductors for guiding the electric field propagation through an inhomogeneous dielectric specimen in the prescribed path, the electric fields spanning between two or more of the plurality of conductors as the electric fields propagate along the prescribed path.

Abstract: A method of generating an electrical pulse to an output load is disclosed. The method includes the steps of establishing a first voltage on a first electrical conductor throughout an electrical length of the first electrical conductor, initiating the propagation of a voltage step at a first end of a second conductor having an electrical length that is substantially the same as the electrical length of the first electrical conductor, reversing a polarity of the voltage step and shifting the first voltage on the first electrical conductor when the voltage step reaches the second end of the second electrical conductor, and maintaining a shifted first voltage on the first electrical conductor when the voltage step on the second conductor returns to the first end of the second conductor.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for generating a rectangular pulse with a transmission line, the pulse having a duration of twice the electrical length of the line and a voltage of up to twice the charge voltage. The system includes a voltage source, a switching means, and an output circuit. The voltage source is for providing a voltage potential to a first conductor of a transmission line. The switching means is for controllable coupling the first conductor of the transmission line to a second conductor of the transmission line at a first end of the transmission line, with the second conductor of the transmission line being coupled to a fixed voltage potential at a second end of the transmission line. The output circuit is coupled to the first conductor of the transmission line for providing an output pulse to a load.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring the quality of an internal fluid contained in an apparatus. The system includes a pulse input port, a test gap unit, and a reactive impedance unit. The pulse input port receives a test pulse input signal from a pulse source. The test gap unit provides a test voltage across a test gap while the test gap unit is immersed in the internal fluid within the apparatus. The test gap unit has an inherent capacitance. The reactive impedance unit provides an impedance in series with the inherent capacitance of the test gap unit that restricts transfer of current to the test gap, and is coupled to the pulse input port and coupled to the test gap unit. The impedance unit includes a first resistor unit in parallel with a capacitor unit.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring the quality of an internal fluid contained in an apparatus. The system includes a pulse input port, a test gap unit, and a reactive impedance unit. The pulse input port receives a test pulse input signal from a pulse source. The test gap unit provides a test voltage across a test gap while the test gap unit is immersed in the internal fluid within the apparatus. The test gap means has an inherent capacitance. The reactive impedance unit provides an impedance in series with the inherent capacitance of the test gap unit that restricts transfer of current to the test gap, and is coupled to the pulse input port and coupled to the test gap unit.