Abstract: A method of tracking an entity (130) through a plurality of tracking stations (205, 210, 215, 220) in a wireless ad-hoc network. A unique identifier (250) can be assigned to the entity at a first (205) of the plurality of tracking stations and wirelessly transmitted to at least a second tracking station (210). The number of the tracking stations can be dynamically varied on an ad-hoc basis responsive to variations in a tracking environment. The unique identifier can be selectively communicated to at least a second tracking station based on a predicted transit scenario of the entity. The identifier can be stored on a datastore, such as a radio frequency identification tag (125) attached to the entity. A biometric scan of the entity can be performed. For example, a facial scan, an iris scan, a fingerprinting, or palm printing can be performed to assign a unique identifier.

Abstract: A method and system for generically tracking an entity in a specific domain. The system includes a generic application interface for receiving and processing tracking data regarding a tracked item. The generic application interface is configured for user modification so that the interface may be customized for a specific tracking requirement.A tracking engine is provided for abstracting the tracking data provided by the generic application interface to a set of generic object models. Each instantiated object comprising the generic object models encapsulates the tracking data pertaining to a tracked item. A tracking router is also provided for communicating at least one of the instantiated objects to a tracking station at a location for processing in accordance with an anticipated physical flow of the objects through a domain. As a result, instantiated object can be processed by the tracking engine independently of the specific tracking data contained therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sputtering particles from a target as a film on a substrate. The target and substrate are maintained in a main housing in a first vacuum. The target is biased with a first negative voltage to effect a target bias. A plasma is produced in a cathode box spaced from the target, with the plasma being injected between the target and substrate to effect sputtering by bombarding the target with positive ions and liberating target particles for condensing on the substrate to form the film. The cathode box includes a cathode biased at a second negative voltage to effect a cathode bias, and a sputtering gas is supplied adjacent to the cathode for producing the plasma. Plasma production in the cathode box is decoupled from sputtering at the target for increasing sputtering yield and rate. And, the target may be contoured for focussing the sputtered particles on the substrate.

Abstract: An intense, steady state, low emittance electron beam generator is formed by operating a hollow cathode discharge plasma source at critical levels in combination with an extraction electrode and a target electrode that are operable to extract a beam of fast primary electrons from the plasma source through a negatively biased grid that is critically operated to repel bulk electrons toward the plasma source while allowing the fast primary electrons to move toward the target in the desired beam that can be successfully transported for relatively large distances, such as one or more meters away from the plasma source.

Abstract: An electronic device of the type wherein current flow is conducted by an ionized gas comprising a cathode of the type heated by ionic bombardment, an anode, means for maintaining a predetermined pressure in the region between the anode and the cathode and means for maintaining a field in the region. The field, which is preferably a combined magnetic and electric field, is oriented so that the mean distance traveled by electrons before reaching the anode is increased. Because of this increased distance traveled electrons moving to the anode will ionize a larger number of gas atoms, thus reducing the voltage necesary to initiate gas breakdown. In a preferred embodiment the anode is a main hollow cathode and the cathode is a smaller igniter hollow cathode located within and coaxial with the main hollow cathode. An axial magnetic field is provided in the region between the hollow cathodes in order to facilitate gas breakdown in that region and initiate plasma discharge from the main hollow cathode.