Abstract: A process for optically sorting a plurality of particles includes: providing a particle receiver; producing particles; receiving the particles by the particle receiver; receiving a light by the particle receiver; producing a standing wave optical interference pattern in an optical interference site of the particle receiver from the light; subjecting the particles to an optical gradient force from the standing wave optical interference pattern; deflecting the particles into a plurality of deflected paths to form the sorted particles from the particles; and propagating the sorted particles from the optical interference site through the deflected paths to optically sort the particles.

Abstract: A process for optically sorting a plurality of particles includes: providing a particle receiver; producing particles; receiving the particles by the particle receiver; receiving a light by the particle receiver; producing a standing wave optical interference pattern in an optical interference site of the particle receiver from the light; subjecting the particles to an optical gradient force from the standing wave optical interference pattern; deflecting the particles into a plurality of deflected paths to form the sorted particles from the particles; and propagating the sorted particles from the optical interference site through the deflected paths to optically sort the particles

Abstract: A dimensional reference system for tomography, including X-ray computed tomography and MRI tomography. The system includes a dimensional reference apparatus that comprises plurality of spheres composed of a material having an X-ray absorption property between approximately +500 Hounsfield units and +1200 Hounsfield units. The spheres are spaced apart at a known distance by support structure/spacer unit that has an X-ray absorption property between approximately ?100 Hounsfield units and +400 Hounsfield units. After an image that incorporates the dimensional reference apparatus and a measurement subject has been reconstructed, the dimensional reference apparatus provides for measurement of the resultant image voxels in three dimensions. Because solid structural elements such as plastic or glass spheres may not be visible in an MRI, an MRI implementation of the apparatus may be disposed in a fluid-tight enclosure along with water, a contrast-enhancing agent and ethanol.

Abstract: A dimensional reference system for tomography, including X-ray computed tomography and MRI tomography. The system includes a dimensional reference apparatus that comprises plurality of spheres composed of a material having an X-ray absorption property between approximately +500 Hounsfield units and +1200 Hounsfield units. The spheres are spaced apart at a known distance by support structure/spacer unit that has an X-ray absorption property between approximately ?100 Hounsfield units and +400 Hounsfield units. After an image that incorporates the dimensional reference apparatus and a measurement subject has been reconstructed, the dimensional reference apparatus provides for measurement of the resultant image voxels in three dimensions. Because solid structural elements such as plastic or glass spheres may not be visible in an MRI, an MRI implementation of the apparatus may be disposed in a fluid-tight enclosure along with water, a contrast-enhancing agent and ethanol.

Abstract: A composition formed from Group II fluorides in which the composition has little or no intrinsic birefringence at a selected wavelength. The composition is a mixed solid solution of CaF2 with a second crystal of SrF2 or BaF2. The resulting composition is in the form of Ca1?xSrxF2 or Ca1?xBaxF2, or a combination of SrF2 and BaF2, in the form of Ca1?x?ySrxBayF2. The specific form of the composition that effectively nulls out the intrinsic birefringence at a selected wavelength within the UV range is determined in one preferred method from the magnitudes of the intrinsic birefringences of the components, CaF2, SrF2, and BaF2.

Abstract: A composition formed from Group II fluorides in which the composition has little or no intrinsic birefringence at a selected wavelength. The composition is a mixed solid solution of CaF2 with a second crystal of SrF2 or BaF2. The resulting composition is in the form of Ca1−xSrxF2 or Ca1−xBaxF2, or a combination of SrF2 and BaF2, in the form of Ca1−x−ySrxBayF2. The specific form of the composition that effectively nulls out the intrinsic birefringence at a selected wavelength within the UV range is determined in one preferred method from the magnitudes of the intrinsic birefringences of the components, CaF2, SrF2, and BaF2.

Abstract: A parallel nanotomography imaging system is provided having an x-ray source, which is preferably a laser-based x-ray source that generates x-rays that are collected using a collector optic and are received in a composite objective assembly. The composite objective assembly includes plural micro-objectives, each imaging the target. The x-ray image is received by an x-ray image formation and acquisition apparatus, and processed and/or displayed.

Abstract: The routing of non-crossing conductive paths (24--24) between each of two families of conductive nodes (18--18) and (20--20) on a surface (15) of a substrate (14) can be facilitated using electrostatic analog. To route the conductive paths (24--24), a two dimensional electrostatic force field is mathematically simulated on the surface (15) by attributing an equal charge to each of the nodes (18--18) of one family opposite that attributed to the nodes (20--20) of the other family, such that the total sum of the charges is zero. Lines of electric flux within the simulated force field are located and a set of flux lines, which link one of the nodes in one family to a separate node in the other family, is then selected. The flux lines in the set are non-crossing because of the properties of the simulated electric field and further a 1:1 matching between nodes (18--18 and 20--20) by the selected set of flux lines is guaranteed.