Abstract: Characterizing a cargo container and its contents. A system comprising an emitter to emit radio frequency (RF) energy, a receiver to receive an RF response related to the energy, and a processor operative to compare a plurality of RF responses. A method for characterizing a cargo container and its contents, the method including providing a system as described above, via the system: emitting a RF energy within a container, receiving an RE response of the container and the container contents, emitting second RF energy within a container, receiving a second RF response of the container and the container contents, and comparing the second RF response with the first RF response.

Abstract: Characterizing a cargo container and its contents. A system comprising an emitter to emit radio frequency (RF) energy, a receiver to receive an RF response related to the energy, and a processor operative to compare a plurality of RF responses. A method for characterizing a cargo container and its contents, the method including providing a system as described above, via the system: emitting a RF energy within a container, receiving an RF response of the container and the container contents, emitting a second RF energy within a container, receiving a second RF response of the container and the container contents, and comparing the second RF response with the first RF response.

Abstract: Characterizing a cargo container and its contents. A system comprising an emitter to emit radio frequency (RF) energy, a receiver to receive an RF response related to the energy, and a processor operative to compare a plurality of RF responses. A method for characterizing a cargo container and its contents, the method including providing a system as described above, via the system: emitting a RF energy within a container, receiving an RF response of the container and the container contents, emitting a second RF energy within a container, receiving a second RF response of the container and the container contents, and comparing the second RF response with the first RF response.

Abstract: A plasma generator particularly adapted for use as an ion beam generator. The plasma generator includes a plasma chamber body having an interior cavity and formed of a dielectric material such as boron nitride. The plasma chamber body is surrounded by a solenoidal magnet and is coupled to a radiofrequency waveguide. In the preferred embodiment both the plasma chamber body and the waveguide are composed of a dielectric material. Reductions in both the size of the chamber and the size of the waveguide, with resulting reductions in required input power, are achieved over comparable plasma generators. Use of a circularly polarized RF signal enhances coupling between the plasma and the RF signal.

Abstract: A plasma generator particularly adapted for use as an ion beam generator. The plasma generator includes a plasma chamber body having an interior cavity and formed of a dielectric material such as boron nitride. The plasma chamber body is surrounded by a solenoidal magnet and is coupled to a radiofrequency waveguide. In the preferred embodiment both the plasma chamber body and the waveguide are composed of a dielectric material. Reductions in both the size of the chamber and the size of the waveguide, with resulting reductions in required input power, are achieved over comparable plasma generators. Use of a circularly polarized RF signal enhances coupling between the plasma and the RF signal.

Abstract: A system for providing a fluid refrigerant to a cooling element is provided herein. The system includes a vessel which holds the fluid refrigerant, a heat source evaporating a portion of the fluid in the vessel, and a heat exchanger condensing a portion of the gaseous phase of the fluid in the vessel. A conduit establishes fluid communication between: (i) the vessel and the cooling element; and (ii) the cooling element and the heat exchanger. Importantly, the system controls the flow rate of the fluid refrigerant to the cooling element by controlling the pressure of the fluid in the vessel. The system is particularly useful with cryogenic fluid refrigerants to cool a superconductor for an MRI System.

Abstract: A radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ), which is a combination of the standard 4-vane and 4-rod designs, with a window or windows cut through mid-portions of the normally solid vanes. The windows decrease the resonant frequency, minimize undesirable mode coupling in the RFQ and result in a smaller and more easily tuned accelerator.