Abstract: A system and a method detect a position of a movable element within the interior of the compartment via a light source and/or a light sensor. The light sensor is connected to a platform and/or to a film for detecting an intensity of a light within the interior of the compartment. The film, a bottom surface of an end cap and/or a surface of the movable element and/or the compartment attenuate light within the interior of the compartment and/or within an interior of the end cap. The intensity of the light detectable by the light sensor corresponds to the position of the movable element within the interior of the compartment. The position of the movable element within the interior of the compartment is detected by the light sensor via the intensity of the light detectable by the light sensor.

Abstract: A system and a method detect an intensity of light within an interior of a compartment and/or of an end cap to locate a position of a movable element within the interior of the compartment. A platform is attached to interior walls of the end cap for positioning a light source within the interior of the compartment and a first light detector within the interior of the end cap. A second light detector is attached to the interior walls of the end cap which is adjacent to the platform. The platform is located between the light source and the first light detector and/or the second light detector to prevent light transmitted by the light source from being directed inwardly with respect to the first light detector and/or the second light detector. A bottom surface of the end cap reflects or diffuses light within the interior of the end cap inwardly with respect to the first light detector and/or the second light detector.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring a rotational motion of a code wheel measures a rotational movement of the code wheel including an error component due to a non-rotational movement of the code wheel; measures the non-rotational movement of the code wheel; and produces an error-corrected measurement of the rotational movement of the code wheel by using the measured non-rotational movement of the code wheel to cancel the error component of the measured rotational movement of the code wheel. A signal can be produced indicating a need for maintenance when the non-rotational movement of the code wheel exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments of averaging signals are disclosed.

Abstract: A position-measuring device for measuring linear and/or angular positions includes a first measuring standard that has a first code track, with the aid of which consecutive position regions are cyclically measurable, and at least two multiturn code disks having second code tracks, via whose angular positions the currently measured position region of the first code track may be determined. The first measuring standard and the multiturn code disks are positioned such that the first code track and the second code tracks are scannable by a common scanning unit, through a first scanning window and second scanning windows, respectively.

Abstract: A position-measuring device for measuring linear and/or angular positions includes at least two measuring standards on which at least one code track is applied, and includes a scanning unit for scanning the code tracks. The measuring standards are positioned with respect to each other such that at least one code track of a first measuring standard and at least one code track of a second measuring standard at least partially overlap and the position information of at least one of the code tracks is scannable by the scanning unit in the region of overlap.

Abstract: A projection system comprises a light source module and a light-guiding assembly. The light source module comprises a reflecting cover and a light source disposed in the reflecting cover to form a first beam with a first f-number. The light-guiding assembly comprises a body with an incident end and a lens disposed on the incident end. The first beam passes through the lens disposed on the incident end to form a second beam with a second f-number. The second f-number of the second beam is different from the first f-number of the first beam.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a packaging structure of a light-sensing element with reduced packaging area, wherein the central line of the light-sensing element coincides with the central line of the substrate in order to save the area expended in the conventional technology owing to that the central line of the light-sensing region coincides with the central line of the substrate. Thereby, the overall packaging area is effectively reduced. Further, engagement portions are formed in appropriate positions, which can be used to position the lens base and the lens cone installed subsequently in order to align them to the central line of the light-sensing region.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a packaging method of a light-sensing semiconductor device and a packaging structure thereof, wherein a matrix of spacer walls is formed on a light-sensing wafer, which has multiple light-sensing chips, and the adhesive is directly applied to between two neighboring spacer walls on the non-light-sensing regions. Thus, when the light transparent cover is installed, there is no more adhesive dropping onto the light-sensing regions of the light-sensing chips. Further, when the light transparent cover is pressed to join with the spacer walls, with the trenches formed at the tops of the spacer walls, the adhesive will not overflow from the joint seams into the light-sensing regions.

Abstract: A control mechanism pins an optical fiber assembly on and off gimbal and between gimbals to route the assembly from an off-gimbal optical source across the gimbal axis/axes to an on-gimbal optical element so that the fiber assembly moves with the rotation of the gimbals. To accommodate a relatively large range of motion, the control mechanism is suitably configured to route the fiber assembly in a “U-shaped” loop with one end pinned off-gimbal in a stationary guide track and the other end pinned on-gimbal point in a rotating guide track so that the loose fiber assembly is constrained in the concentric tracks on and off gimbal. As the gimbal rotates, the loop seats onto one guiding track and peels off of the other guiding track while always maintaining its U shape.

Abstract: An optical transducer device including an optical transducer element having preliminary and fine-adjustment openings, a printed circuit board, a motor shaft, a hub mounted to the motor shaft, and a sensor/emitter element that forms a sensor gap. The optical transducer element is positioned by, pre-positioning the shaft in the preliminary opening of the optical transducer element such that the peripheral edge is located outside the sensor gap, and laterally sliding the optical transducer element so that the motor shaft is positioned in the fine-adjustment opening of the optical transducer element such that the peripheral edge at least partially reaches into the sensor gap. The optical transducer element is then pressed onto the hub. Prior to positioning the optical transducer device, the circuit board is soldered to the device components, thereby protecting the optical transducer element from the negative effect of heat and solder residue.

Abstract: A method for obtaining high accuracy mass spectra using an ion trap mass analyzer includes adjusting operating parameters of the analyser to enable a reverse mass scan in a mass selective resonance ejection mode and setting the trapping field to trap ions in a mass-to-charge ratio which has a lower limit close to the mass-to-charge ratio of an ion of interest. A method of determining chemical shift includes adjusting operating parameters of the analyzer to enable forward and reverse mass scans and calibrating the spectra obtained from the forward and reverse mass scans.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, processes and other inventions relating to: ion sources with controlled electro-pneumatic superposition, ion source synchronized to RF multipole, ion source with charge injection, optimized control in active feedback system, radiation supported charge-injection liquid spray, ion source with controlled liquid injection as well as various embodiments and combinations of each of the foregoing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sample microfocusing plate useful in MALDI mass spectrometry having a patterned hydrophobic organosilane coating layer and at least a central portion formed on the surface and a process for manufacturing and using the sample microfocusing plate. The sample microfocusing plate can rapidly dry the solvent contained in samples leading to efficient sample analysis, and can be prepared by cost effectiveness.

Abstract: A sampler system for sampling a volatile substance. The sample system comprises: a sample container. The sample container comprises an inlet for influx of a sample of the volatile substance into the sample container and an outlet for outflux of the sample substance from the sample container into a sample analyzer. A vacuum system is coupled to the sample container for providing a vacuum pressure in the sample container. A pressure system is connectable to the sampler container for conveying the sample substance to the sample analyzer and a selector switch is present for switching the sample container alternatingly between the inlet and the vacuum system or between the pressure system and the sample analyzer. According to the invention the sampler system is comprised with a dosing system for providing a predetermined adjustable dose level of sample substance in the sample container.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus of operating a scanning probe microscope (SPM) to perform sample measurements using a survey scan that is less than five lines, and more preferably two lines, to accurately locate a field of features of a sample. This is accomplished by selecting a step distance between adjacent lines of the survey scan that does not equal the pitch of the features in a direction orthogonal to the direction the survey scan traverses, i.e., does not equal the pitch of the features in the scan direction, XPO. The aspect ratio of the scans can also be modified to further improve sample throughput.

Abstract: An enhanced vision system and method for use with vision systems with an imager sensitive to infrared radiation of less than 2-microns in wavelength, to produce a first image signal. Another imager sensitive to infrared radiation at least 3-microns in wavelength may be used to produce a second image signal. Preferably, the first image signal represents sensed electric light sources, and the second image signal represents sensed background such as terrain, runways, structures, and obstacles. A signal processor combines an image signal representing locally maximum values of the first image signal with the second image signal to create a displayed image.

Abstract: Superconducting Gamma-ray and fast-neutron spectrometers with very high energy resolution operated at very low temperatures are provided. The sensor consists of a bulk absorber and a superconducting thermometer weakly coupled to a cold reservoir, and determines the energy of the incident particle from the rise in temperature upon absorption. A superconducting film operated at the transition between its superconducting and its normal state is used as the thermometer, and sensor operation at reservoir temperatures around 0.1 K reduces thermal fluctuations and thus enables very high energy resolution. Depending on the choice of absorber material, the spectrometer can be configured either as a Gamma-spectrometer or as a fast-neutron spectrometer.

Abstract: An object (12) concealed in a body (16) is detected by transiently heating or cooling at least part of the body surface, imaging that part of the surface in the mid- or far infrared, and seeking the concealed object (12) in the image(s). Alternatively, the body (16) is imaged as the temperature of its environment fluctuates naturally. Preferably, multiple infrared images are acquired and are processed to provide a measure of the body's thermal diffusivity, the object (12) then being sought according to that measure of thermal diffusivity. Most preferably, the heated/cooled part of the surface is imaged in the visible or near-infrared band too, and the two sets of images are processed together to provide the measure of the body's thermal diffusivity.

Abstract: A scintillator layer for converting an incident radiation into a light having a wavelength detectable with a photoelectric conversion element is provided on a sensor substrate on which plural photoelectric conversion elements and switching elements are disposed via a flattening layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer program, method, and system to facilitate hybrid CT attenuation correction. In one embodiment, the method generally includes acquiring data from a scanner, utilizing an ordered subset expectation maximization-bayesian algorithm to reconstruct the acquired data, and forward projecting the reconstructed data. Such a configuration minimizes the computing resources required for reconstruction and improves attenuation correction accuracy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an iterative image reconstruction uses two or more processors (130). The reconstruction task is distributed among the various processors (130). In one embodiment, the projection space data (300) is distributed among the processors (130). In another embodiment, the object space (200) is distributed among the processors (130).

Abstract: A method and system of correcting misalignment effects in reconstructed images of a nuclear medical imaging apparatus includes calculating misalignments of a detector to accommodate for deflections (e.g., gravity induced deflections) of a detector (e.g., a cantilevered detector mounted for rotation movement about a patient) from a fixed coordinate system used for image data acquisition.

Abstract: An assembly (13) for monitoring ionising radiation comprises a detector substrate (2) for generating electronic charge responsive to incident ionising radiation, the detector substrate (2) having an array of ionising radiation sense volumes (12) formed in it. A circuit substrate (14) supporting an array of read-out circuits (16) corresponding to the array of sense volumes is mechanically and electrically coupled to the detector substrate (14). Each of the read-out circuits (16) is switchable between first and second charge integration modes for receiving charge from a corresponding sense volume. A charge integration circuit (30) is configured in the first charge integration mode to integrate charge corresponding to sensing of a single ionising radiation detection event in a corresponding sense volume and in the second charge integrating mode to integrate charge corresponding to sensing a plurality of ionising radiation detection events in the corresponding sense volume.

Abstract: A resolution-variable X-ray imaging device is provided and includes: a scintillator that receives an X-ray through a subject to emit fluorescence; and an imaging device comprising a plurality of pixels aligned at pixel intervals on a light receiving surface of the imaging device, each of the pixels receiving the fluorescence and converting the fluorescence into an electric signal. The imaging device has at least two areas of: a higher-resolution imaging area in which the pixels are aligned at a pixel interval; and a lower-resolution imaging area in which the pixels are aligned at a pixel interval longer than the pixel interval of the higher-resolution imaging area.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging device is provided and has a scintillator and an imaging device in combination. The scintillator receives an X-ray through a subject to emit fluorescence, and the imaging device receives the fluorescence. The scintillator has a curved shape, and the imaging device has a substrate having flexibility and is positioned opposite to the scintillator.

Abstract: A scintillator plate for radiation containing a substrate having thereon a fluorescent layer, wherein the fluorescent layer contains CsF crystals.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in an array; a plurality of sample and hold arrays; and a routing matrix which routes a signal from each pixel to one of the sample and hold arrays in a predetermined order.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for deflecting electron beams with high precision and high throughput. At least one electrode of a deflecting capacitor is connected to a signal source via a coaxial cable. A termination resistor is further connected to the coaxial cable and the electrode at the joint of the coaxial cable and the electrode. The termination resistor has a resistance matched to the impedance of the coaxial cable and the electrode has an impedance matched to half of the impedance of the coaxial. The deflecting capacitors of the present invention have a minimized loss of precision due to eddy current. The spacing of electrodes in the deflecting capacitors is reduced by a factor of approximately two compared to the state-the-art system.

Abstract: An electrostatic deflector that can be manufactured easily and very accurately without using a member for positioning is provided. After multiple slits 81d to 88d have been formed in the same direction as that of the bus bar of an approximately conical electrode material 100 whose large-diameter section is formed with flange portions 81a to 88a for installation on an insulator 90, each of the flange portions is coupled with the insulator 90, then the electrode material 100 is cut along extension lines of the slits 81d to 88d, and thus, multiple electrode members electrically isolated from one another are formed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrostatic deflector having four pillar-like identical electrodes spaced from each other by 90°. An even number of pillar-like electrodes are disposed in each space between the four electrodes. Spaces are formed on both sides of each one of the first electrodes and have bent portions. The even number of electrodes are arranged symmetrically relative to a third or fourth vertical plane including an axis spaced from the X-axis by 45° or ?45°, respectively. Holes are formed across each of the third and fourth vertical planes. Rod-like members are inserted in the holes.

Abstract: A deflecting electromagnet has first and second magnetic poles that are opposed to each other via an inter-pole space through which an ion beam passes. The deflecting electromagnet further has: a pair of potential adjusting electrodes which are placed to sandwich a path of the ion beam in the same directions as the magnetic poles in the inter-pole space; and a DC potential adjusting power source which applies a positive voltage to the potential adjusting electrodes. The deflecting electromagnet further has a permanent-magnet group for, in the inter-pole space, forming a mirror magnetic field in which intensity is low in the vicinity of the middle in an ion beam passing direction, and intensities in locations which are respectively nearer to an inlet and an outlet are higher than the intensity in the vicinity of the middle.

Abstract: A Faraday system is disclosed wherein the Faraday system comprises a Faraday cup adapted to collect an ion beam to generate a current, a suppression electrode adapted to form an electric field adjacent to an inlet of the Faraday cup to prevent secondary electrons from discharging from the Faraday cup in response to the ion beam, and a housing surrounding the Faraday cup and the suppression electrode and comprising a plurality of apertures, wherein each aperture is adapted to selectively receive an ion beam comprising a corresponding type of conductive impurities.

Abstract: A driver provides a current through a load circuit that includes an ionizable path. The driver includes an energy sourcing circuit, an ionization detector, a controller, and a pulse generator. The controller determines, in response to the detector and be trial and error a respective quantity of energy for each pulse of a plurality of pulses to be generated. For each pulse of the plurality, the pulse generator receives the respective quantity of energy from the energy sourcing circuit, provides in response to the quantity of energy a respective voltage to ionize the ionization path, and provides the current through the load circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may be utilized to improve electron beam deflection. One embodiment provides an electrostatic deflection system with electrodes that minimize aberrations and to achieve vertical incidence simultaneously. By using at least two stages of deflection for a deflection direction, the present invention allows the deflected electron beam to pass a back focal plane of an objective lens while deflection capacitors are not disposed across the back focal plane. As a result, deflection electrodes can have an angle of 120° to minimize aberrations and simultaneously achieve vertical incidence of the electron beam on a target to avoid distortions or changes in magnification with height variations of the target or focus variations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modulating a beam of charged particles is described in which a beam of charged particles is produced by a particle source and a varying electric field is induced within an ultra-small resonant structure. The beam of charged particles is modulated by the interaction of the varying electric field with the beam of charged particles.

Abstract: We describe an ultra-small structure that produces visible light of varying frequency, from a single metallic layer. In one example, a row of metallic posts are etched or plated on a substrate according to a particular geometry. When a charged particle beam passed close by the row of posts, the posts and cavities between them cooperate to resonate and produce radiation in the visible spectrum (or even higher). A plurality of such rows of different geometries can be etched or plated from a single metal layer such that the charged particle beam will yield different visible light frequencies (i.e., different colors) using different ones of the rows.

Abstract: A coupled nano-resonating structure includes a plurality of a nano-resonating substructures constructed and adapted to couple energy from a beam of charged particles into said nano-resonating structure and to transmit the coupled energy outside said nano-resonating structure. The nano-resonant substructures may have various shapes and may include parallel rows of structures. The rows may be symmetric or asymmetric, tilted, and/or staggered.

Abstract: An ion source element, an ion implanter having the ion source element and a method of modifying the ion source element are provided. In the ion source element, a chamber may have a cavity divided into a plurality of inner sections configured substantially perpendicularly to an axis defined through centers of ends of the cavity. The larger inner sections may be at, or near, a center of the cavity and become smaller toward the ends of the cavity. A filament may be disposed at one end of the chamber to emit thermal electrons. A repeller may extend into the chamber through the other end of the chamber. An inlet may be formed in a first cavity wall to introduce gas having a dopant species into the chamber. A beam slit may be formed in a second cavity wall, opposite the inlet, of the chamber to extract an ionized species of the gas from the chamber.

Abstract: Monotomic dopant ions for ion implantation are supplied from vapour of a species containing plural atoms of the desired dopant. The vapour is fed to a plasma chamber and a plasma produced in the chamber with sufficient energy density to disassociate the vapour species to produce monatomic dopant ions in the plasma for implantation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for sterilizing sponges having a container, comprising a casino and lid, having a UV-transmissive support structure disposed therein, the UV-transmissive support dividing the interior of the container into a sponge chamber and a lamp chamber, the sponge chamber dimensioned to receive a sponge, a source of ultraviolet light disposed within the lamp chamber, and wherein at least one interior surface of the sponge chamber is reflective to UV light.

Abstract: A photostimulable storage phosphor screen or panel suitable for use in mammographic applications comprises on a support, a storage phosphor layer and, adjacent thereto, an outermost top-coat layer, wherein said top-coat layer has a roughness profile such that an average spacing between peaks as measured by means of a stylus profiler over and along its scan-distance, is less than 250 ?m.

Abstract: In a photostimulable storage phosphor screen or panel wherein said screen comprises storage phosphor particles dispersed in a binder and wherein said particles have a particle size distribution having a d99 which is not more than 15 ?m, said d99 expressing a grain size limit above which not more than 1% by weight of phosphor powder particles is present in said phosphor powder, its structure noise parameter DQE2rel exceeds a value of 0.70 and a ratio of d99 (expressed in ?m) and DQE2rel is not more than 25:1, wherein DQE2rel is the ratio of the DQE2 obtained at a dose of 22 mR to the DQE2 obtained at a dose of 3 mR, as expressed in formula (I) DQE2rel=DQE2(22 mR))/DQE2(3 mR)??(I) which is representative for an amount of screen-structure noise produced by said screen or panel in the complete spatial frequency range.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of positioning an image field of, for example, an electron microscope at a specific structure in a regular grid of nominally identical structures. Such structures can, for example, be memory cells on a chip. Such memory cells nowadays have an area of, for example, less than 1 ?m2, and are arranged in a grid of 1000*1000 cells. During displacement, an error can occur that is larger than a grid distance of the structures, as a result of which the image field is adjusted to a structure other than the intended one. The displacement can be sub-divided into a large number of component displacements, whereby the error per component displacement is smaller than half a grid distance. By now determining the displacement after each component displacement, the error per component displacement can be eliminated. This method lends itself to automation, whereby the image displacements are determined with the aid of correlation techniques.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device by processing a wafer, comprises: measuring a reflectivity of a substrate peripheral structure before heating, the substrate peripheral structure being placed close to the wafer and being heated simultaneously with the wafer by a plurality of heat sources; measuring a wafer reflectivity of the wafer before the heating; calculating a wafer emissivity of the wafer from the wafer reflectivity; measuring a wafer radiation intensity of radiation emitted from the wafer during the heating; calculating a wafer temperature of the wafer from the wafer emissivity and the wafer radiation intensity; calculating a target value of on-wafer optical intensity on the wafer so that the wafer temperature becomes a preset temperature; calculating a target value of optical intensity on the substrate peripheral structure from a difference between the reflectivity of the substrate peripheral structure and the wafer reflectivity so that incident light being incident on the substrate pe

Abstract: A particle therapy system procedure and device for focusing radiation are provided. The particle therapy system comprising an acceleration unit that accelerates particles and a particle beam feed unit that directs particles to at least one radiation treatment location, an accelerator control unit that sets and controls the parameters of the acceleration and particle beam feed unit needed for irradiation, and an assignment unit that assigns and monitors a particle beam along a beam path in the acceleration unit and particle beam feed unit to a radiation treatment location requesting the particle beam.

Abstract: A contamination mitigation or surface modification system for ion implantation processes includes a gas source, a controller, a valve, and a process chamber. The gas source provides delivery of a gas, be it atmospheric or reactive, to the valve and is controlled by the controller. The valve is located on or about the process chamber and controllably adjusts flow rate and/or composition of the gas to the process chamber. The process chamber holds a target device, such as a target wafer and permits interaction of the gas with an ion beam to mitigate contamination of the target wafer and/or to modify the existing properties of the processing environment or target device to change a physical or chemical state or characteristic thereof. The controller selects and adjusts composition of the gas and flow rate according to contaminants present within the ion beam, or lack thereof, as well total or partial pressure analysis.

Abstract: A beam exposure writing strategy method and system are disclosed for exposing a desired pattern on a substrate, by raster scanning a beam such as a particle beam, across a major field on the substrate. The beam is also vector scanned across a minor field of the substrate superimposed along the major field raster scan. The beam is selectively blanked and unblanked as the beam is being scanned. The unblanked flashes of the beam are modulated in coordination with the raster and vector scanning to expose the desired pattern on the substrate. The disclosed system and method generating an adjustable length microvector having a maximum range of at least about N time a nominal length ?, where N is equal to four and ? is substantially equal to a dimension of a nominal flash area, the nominal flash location dimension being substantially greater than a major field cell dimension.

Abstract: An exposure system includes a container in which a radiation source is arranged which emits electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, an electromagnetic trap, suitable for collecting neutral particles, is arranged inside the container. An ionization unit ionizes the neutral particles emitted during the operation of the radiation source. The electromagnetic trap collects the charged particles. Thereby, the neutral particles are removed which would otherwise impair the lithographic projection by absorption or deposition on components of the exposure system. A method is disclosed for operation of an exposure system.

Abstract: A flexible, lightweight radiation absorbing sheet or shield includes heavy metal particles in one layer and mid-atomic number particles in another layer, the layer that will adjacent to the patient. The shield is particularly intended for protection of the wearer and others from radiation emanating from a therapeutic source positioned within the patient's body. With the disclosed multi-layer shield construction, backscattered radiation off the heavy metal particle layer, affecting the patient's adjacent tissue, is minimized.