Abstract: An electron beam system and method are provided. The system includes a detector having a detector face configured to detect back-scattered electrons reflected off of a sample. The system further includes an annular cap disposed on the detector face, and a protective pellicle disposed on the annular cap, covering the detector face. The protective pellicle is transparent to back-scattered electrons and provides a physical barrier to particles directed at the detector face.

Abstract: Drying compressed air while utilizing a method for preemptive overload avoidance of moisture to a desiccant bed, including a recovery control process. The method may include a purge means, an initialization period for pre-learning to develop usage-profile log performance summary to compare against real-time data and a protocol for a normal state, a recovery state and a supplemental purge state and means to reestablish normal operations. A procedure for standby and overload alarm alerting states are also described. The purge means may be fixed rate or modulating. The system may have cycle times decrementing or incrementing stepwise in a predetermined or varying time frame to respond to on-going trending data in order to correct imbalance loading conditions by adjusting drying and regenerating cycle times, thus affording a stable delivery of quality dewpoint compressed air to the dryer output.

Abstract: Drying compressed air while utilizing a method for preemptive overload avoidance of moisture to a desiccant bed, including a recovery control process. The method may include a purge means, an initialization period for pre-learning to develop usage-profile log performance summary to compare against real-time data and a protocol for a normal state, a recovery state and a supplemental purge state and means to reestablish normal operations. A procedure for standby and overload alarm alerting states are also described. The purge means may be fixed rate or modulating. The system may have cycle times decrementing or incrementing stepwise in a predetermined or varying time frame to respond to on-going trending data in order to correct imbalance loading conditions by adjusting drying and regenerating cycle times, thus affording a stable delivery of quality dewpoint compressed air to the dryer output.

Abstract: An electron beam system and method are provided. The system includes a detector having a detector face configured to detect back-scattered electrons reflected off of a sample. The system further includes an annular cap disposed on the detector face, and a protective pellicle disposed on the annular cap, covering the detector face. The protective pellicle is transparent to back-scattered electrons and provides a physical barrier to particles directed at the detector face.

Abstract: An electron extractor of an electron source capable of absorbing contaminant materials from a cavity proximate to the extractor is disclosed. The electron extractor includes a body. The body of the electron extractor is formed from one or more non-evaporable getter materials. The one or more non-evaporable getter materials absorb one or more contaminants contained within a region proximate to the body of the electron extractor. The body of the electron extractor is further configured to extract electrons from one or more emitters posited proximate to the body of the electron extractor.

Abstract: An emitter containing a metal boride material has an at least partly rounded tip with a radius of 1 ?m or less. An electric field can be applied to the emitter and an electron beam is generated from the emitter. To form the emitter, material is removed from a single crystal rod to form an emitter containing a metal boride material having a rounded tip with a radius of 1 ?m or less.

Abstract: An emitter containing a metal boride material has an at least partly rounded tip with a radius of 1 ?m or less. An electric field can be applied to the emitter and an electron beam is generated from the emitter. To form the emitter, material is removed from a single crystal rod to form an emitter containing a metal boride material having a rounded tip with a radius of 1 ?m or less.

Abstract: A system for imaging a sample through a protective pellicle is disclosed. The system includes an electron beam source configured to generate an electron beam and a sample stage configured to secure a sample and a pellicle, wherein the pellicle is disposed above the sample. The system also includes an electron-optical column including a set of electron-optical elements to direct at least a portion of the electron beam through the pellicle and onto a portion of the sample. In addition, the system includes a detector assembly positioned above the pellicle and configured to detect electrons emanating from the surface of the sample.

Abstract: An electron extractor of an electron source capable of absorbing contaminant materials from a cavity proximate to the extractor is disclosed. The electron extractor includes a body. The body of the electron extractor is formed from one or more non-evaporable getter materials. The one or more non-evaporable getter materials absorb one or more contaminants contained within a region proximate to the body of the electron extractor. The body of the electron extractor is further configured to extract electrons from one or more emitters posited proximate to the body of the electron extractor.

Abstract: A system for imaging a sample through a protective pellicle is disclosed. The system includes an electron beam source configured to generate an electron beam and a sample stage configured to secure a sample and a pellicle, wherein the pellicle is disposed above the sample. The system also includes an electron-optical column including a set of electron-optical elements to direct at least a portion of the electron beam through the pellicle and onto a portion of the sample. In addition, the system includes a detector assembly positioned above the pellicle and configured to detect electrons emanating from the surface of the sample.

Abstract: An environmental scanning electron microscope which achieves image resolution comparable to that of a conventional SEM. A biased ring electrode which detects secondary electron signals emanating from the surface of the specimen is provided in the specimen chamber. A biased pressure limiting aperture electron detector is also provided to reduce signals emanating from backscattered electrons and to reduce signal noise generated by the electron beam. This environmental SEM also optimizes the signal amplification of the secondary electrons following detection thereof, such that the detector noise is reduced below the noise in the signal itself, while still maintaining an overall bandwidth that is suitable for setting up the image. An optical window system is also provided in this environmental SEM which allows the user to easily switch between the normal environmental SEM electron image (limited to 0.5 mm in diameter) to an optical light view of the sample that covers a field-of-view of up to about 7 to 10 mm.

Abstract: There is disclosed an elbow cover formed of a flexible thin sheet having a bistable configuration with: (1) an open stacking shape having an interior concavity and exterior convexity formed with a substantially ellipsoidal central portion and opposite, laterally projecting, substantially parabolic hyperboloidal ears; and (2) a closed, stable configuration forming a tubular elbow shape with the ears folded inwardly, completing the tubular ends of the elbow shape. The elbow cover is characterized by an unstable configuration assumed by compression of the closed tubular shape between its opposite outside tubular edges whereby the elbow shape flexes and spreads open, laterally separating the ears in a position permitting a one-handed application of the cover to an insulated elbow joint of tubular conduits.

Abstract: Novel process for peeling fruits and vegetables which yields maximum skin removal coupled with minimum loss of flesh. The fruit or vegetable is contacted with an aqueous dispersion of a 3-18 carbon carboxylic acid at elevated temperatures for a time sufficient to loosen the peel, which can then be removed by mechanical action.

Abstract: Pigment is extracted from seeds containing the same by contacting the seeds with water containing one or more alpha-enzymes for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to extract the pigment. In particular, annatto pigment can be extracted from the seeds of Bixa orellana L. by the aforementioned process.

Abstract: Bite-size pieces of fruit are prepared by a process wherein the fruit is partially dehydrated, puffed, and then heated to obtain a crisp outer surface thereon. The fruit is puffed by immersing it in a pool of liquid carbon dioxide under pressure and then rapidly releasing the pressure.

Abstract: Process for removing residual solvent from materials containing the same which involves extracting the material with liquid CO.sub.2, separating the phases, and evaporating CO.sub.2 from the treated material. For example, residual hexane can be removed from de-fatted soybeans by this procedure.