Abstract: A handle 16 for exterior use in a vehicle to authorize a mechanism (18) to unlatch an access door has a structural part (34); a cover (36); and a pair of sensors or switches (28, 29) between the structural part (34) and the cover (36). A first sensor or switch (28) to interact with one or more fingers of a user's (26) hand (2) and a second sensor or switch (29) spaced from said first sensor (28) to be activated by a user's (26) different finger or the user's (26) thumb. The combination of the two switches or sensors (28, 29) signal the mechanism (18) to unlatch the access door and wherein the activation of only the second sensor or switch (29) in the absence of touching the first sensor or switch (28) authorizes a mechanism (18) to lock the access door. Preferably, the first and second sensors or switches (28, 29) are electrically coupled such that activation of both authorizes an unlatching of the access door while the activation of only the second sensor or switch (29) authorizes a lock only feature.

Abstract: A switch assembly comprising a body, an actuator, and a base design to provide a device that can actuate various Hall-Effect chip devices in a single design. The switch assembly of the invention may provide a momentary switch connection, such as a single push system, or a maintained switch connection, such as a push-push system. Further, the switch assembly may include feedback mechanisms, such as LED components and the like that provide a visible feedback of the switch connection, and tactile feedback components that also indicate the switch connection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular anode support member for a plasma spray gun including an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, and a coolant tube connectable to the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve having a cylindrical sidewall defining a central opening through a length thereof for receiving the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve including a mounting member for mounting the outer sleeve and an associated spray gun to a spray gun manipulator. The inner sleeve for receiving an anode housing is removably disposed in the central opening of the outer sleeve and includes forward and rearward portions defined by a stepped central bore through a length thereof. The forward portion for receiving an anode housing therein, the rearward portion for carrying coolant to and from the anode housing. Alignment means are provided for fixing the relative position of the inner sleeve and outer sleeve in assembly.

Abstract: An electrode for a plasma arc cutting torch which minimizes the deposition of high emissivity material on the nozzle, reduces electrode wear, and improves cut quality. The electrode has a body having a first end, a second end in a spaced relationship relative to the first end, and an outer surface extending from the first end to the second end. The body has an end face disposed at the second end. The electrode also includes at least one passage extending from a first opening in the body to a second opening in the end face.

Abstract: An electrode for a plasma arc cutting torch which minimizes the deposition of high emissivity material on the nozzle, reduces electrode wear, and improves cut quality. The electrode has a body having a first end, a second end in a spaced relationship relative to the first end, and an outer surface extending from the first end to the second end. The body has an end face disposed at the second end. The electrode also includes at least one passage extending from a first opening in the body to a second opening in the end face. A controller can control the electrode gas flow through the passages as a function of a plasma arc torch parameter. Methods for operating the plasma arc cutting torch with the electrode are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method that provide for automated notification to entities (e.g., individuals, groups of individuals, computers, systems . . . ) of welding system related information. The invention provides for determination of events and/or conditions that warrant automatic notification thereof to relevant entities. The notifications are conveyed via a most appropriate subset of available communication modes available. The system identifies most appropriate entities to receive the notification about the event, and optionally determines or infers state of the entities and conveys the notification via a communication mode (e.g., text, audio, graphical, video, combination thereof . . . ) and modality (e.g., wireless, Ethernet, cable, optical, telephone, e-mail, voicemail, pager, ghosting, instant messaging . . . ) that is most suitable given context/state of the event and entities.

Abstract: A welding apparatus having a system to facilitate its assembly. The apparatus is assembled by affixing a pair of molded end panels to a molded base and each of the end panels has a specially constructed receptacle area that is adapted to receive an end of the base. Each end of the base has a pair of snaps that extend outwardly and which engage with a correspondingly located pair of ramps formed in the receptacle area of each of the end panels. Thus the assembly is easily carried out by simply inserting the base ends into the receptacle areas where the snaps ride up the ramps and engage the vertical walls on the inner side of those ramps to securely affix the end panels to the base. Preferably the snaps are U-shaped in configuration with the distal end of the snaps being the closed ends of the U-shaped snaps.

Abstract: A cooking appliance is provided. The cooking appliance is coupled to a power supply that includes a first hot wire, a second hot wire and a ground wire. The cooking appliance includes a cabinet and a cavity defined within the cabinet. The cooking appliance also includes at least one heating assembly having two electrical heating elements positioned with respect to the cavity. A first electrical heating element is electrically coupled to the first hot wire and the ground wire. A second electrical heating element is electrically coupled to the second hot wire and the ground wire.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic plate, a method of manufacturing a glass-ceramic plate, and hubs equipped with the glass-ceramic plate. A flat or substantially flat glass-ceramic plate includes a surface provided with pegs, the plate configured to equip a hob. At least one smooth region, free of pegs, is reserved in a location designed to come, in a mounted position, face to face with one or more elements of the hob, the blurred view of which due to the pegs must be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a breathable heater element for a garment or for the lining of a garment such as an outdoor jacket, e.g. a waterproof jacket. The heater element is formed from porous metallised fabric such a nickel plated woven polyester fabric by photochemical etching of a suitable track pattern onto the metallised fabric. The formed heater element is then laminated into a lining. The material of the lining may be impregnated with microencapsulated functional chemicals such as fragrances, perfumes, antimicrobials or insect repellents. The microcapsules release their contents on activation due to heat generated by the heater element.

Abstract: A microwave heating system utilizes a microwave energy generator to provide microwave energy through wave guides to targets. The targets are microwave absorbers and thereby increasing temperature upon the contact of microwave energy. The heated targets then transfer heat to an area to be heated such as by conduction, convection or radiation depending on the particular embodiment. A sensor in the area to be heated provides an input to a controller for controlling the input of microwave energy to be directed to the target.

Abstract: An air flow system in oven is provided. The structure includes: a cavity for housing food; a ventilation fan provided at an electronic equipment chamber outside of the cavity; a first intake port provided at a front and upper surface of the microwave oven; a lower barrier for partitioning a lower space of the cavity; an outlet duct provided at one side of the lower barrier, for allowing a flow of hot air using the ventilation fan; an outlet space provided at the other side of the lower barrier, for exhausting an internal air of the cavity; a plurality of front outlet ports provided at a front and lower surface of the microwave oven, for exhausting hot air of the outlet duct and the outlet space; and a communication port provided at one side of the lower barrier, for communicating the outlet duct with the outlet space.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to attributing light emissions to spots a light was scanned over. In aspects, the scanned light includes light capable of increasing light emissions from at least one type of matter. A detector detects emitted light that comes from spots the light was previously scanned over. Circuitry attributes emitted light with spots within the area. Data representing light that reflects from each spot may be combined with data representing light that emits (if any) from each spot to create an image. The emitted light may be assigned a false color in the image to distinguish it from reflected light in the image. Emitted light may occur as a result of fluorescent activity. Other aspects are described in the specification.

Abstract: A fly's eye detector includes a planar imaging array and an optical system that directs light with different incident directions to different sensors in the imaging array. One embodiment of the optical system includes a curved reflector above the planar imaging array to deflect and distribute light to the sensors. Another embodiment of the optical system includes a lens array providing variable offsets of micro-lenses relative to the underlying sensors.

Abstract: A motion-activated light fixture having an aimable motion detector with a zonal configuration providing improved monitoring of the region behind the motion detector. In one embodiment the motion detector defines a first plurality of generally forward-looking detection zones for monitoring the region in front of and to the sides of the motion detector, the forward-looking detection zones having a side-to-side coverage angle of at most 180 degrees and having forward zones for monitoring the far region in front of the motion detector. A second plurality of detection zones for monitoring the region behind the motion detector forms a zonal pattern angulated with respect to the zones of the first plurality monitoring the far region. At least some of the detection zones of the second plurality extend generally in the backward direction although in some embodiments the motion detector head must be tilted down through a pre-established offset angle before the angulated zonal pattern begins to look backward.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor for detecting light emission in combustion processes in a combustion chamber. At least one lens of the sensor faces the combustion chamber and is disposed on the tip of the sensor. The inventive sensor is provided with a heating device, which is disposed on the tip thereof, in the region of the front lens. The heating device can be a wire coil, a laser or a conduit with heated fluid. The sensor can include a controller for controlling the temperature of the heating device so that the tip of the sensor can be heated by the heating device to a specific temperature at which any soot on the front lens is combusted. As a result, the sensor remains clean and operational during the entire measuring period as desired.

Abstract: An optical transceiver includes at least one light source and at least one detector mounted on the same surface of the same substrate. The detector is to receive light from other than a light source on the surface. At least one of the light source and the detector is mounted on the surface. An optics block having optical elements for each light source and detectors is attached via a vertical spacer to the substrate. Electrical interconnections for the light source and the detector are accessible from the same surface of the substrate with the optics block attached thereto. One of the light source and the detector may be monolithically integrated into the substrate.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer capable of measuring under switching two ion sources at different pressure levels in which a sample gas separated by GC column is branched, and separately introduced to a first ion source (for example, APCI ion source) and a second ion source (for example, EI ion source) at a pressure level lower than that of the first ion source respectively. Preferably, the flow rate of the sample gas introduced to the APCI ion source is made more than the flow rate of the sample gas introduced to the EI ion source, so that the pressure for each of the ion sources can be maintained and analysis can be conducted by each ionization at a good balance in view of the sensitivity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting mass spectrometry. The mass spectrometry may be accomplished by ion drift-chemical ionization mass spectrometry. One embodiment includes a chemical ionization mass spectrometer comprising an ion drift zone having an ion conductor that transports positive or negative ions. The chemical ionization mass spectrometer further comprises an ion source that produces the positive or negative ions and a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a mass spectrometer that uses a time-of-flight mass spectrometer for performing mass spectrometry on the basis of the difference in flight time based on mass of desired ions, and that is suitable for improving the sensitivity and analysis precision of the mass spectrometer. A gate electrode is located at a stage before an acceleration region that is located before an emitter for emitting ions. This gate electrode is capable of applying the voltage that is set on a mass-number region basis, and is also capable of separating desired ions to be measured on the basis of the mass number by switching the gate electrode at high speed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the resolution.

Abstract: Atmospheric pressure, intermediate pressure and vacuum laser desorption ionization methods and ion sources are configured to increase ionization efficiency and the efficiency of transmitting ions to a mass to charge analyzer or ion mobility analyzer. An electric field is applied in the region of a sample target to accumulate ions generated from a local ion source on a solid or liquid phase sample prior to applying a laser desorption pulse. The electric field is changed just prior to or during the desorption laser pulse to promote the desorption of charged species and improve the ionization efficiency of desorbed sample species. After a delay, the electric field may be further changed to optimize focusing and transmission of ions into a mass spectrometer or ion mobility analyzer.

Abstract: A virtual ion trap that uses electric focusing fields instead of machined metal electrodes that normally surround the trapping volume, wherein two opposing surfaces include a plurality of uniquely designed and coated electrodes, and wherein the electrodes can be disposed on the two opposing surfaces using plating techniques that enable much higher tolerances to be met than existing machining techniques.

Abstract: A bioNEMS device comprises a piezoresistive cantilever having flexing legs of which attach the cantilever to a support and a biofunctionalized portion at the tip. A bias current applied to the legs is limited by a maximal acceptable temperature increase at the biofunctionalized tip. The length of the cantilever has a magnitude chosen to minimize background Johnson noise. A catalyzed receptor on the device binds to a ligand whose binding rate coefficient is enhanced. The catalyst lowers the receptor-ligand binding activation energy and is designed by forced evolution to preferentially bind with the ligand. A carrier signal is injected by a magnetic film disposed on the cantilever which is electromagnetically coupled to a source of the carrier signal. A plurality of NEMS fluidicly coupled transducers generate a plurality of output signals from which a collective output signal is derived, either by averaging or thresholding.

Abstract: To prevent an influence from effecting on an oscillating state of a cantilever by firmly fixing a main body portion, there is provided a cantilever holder for attachably and detachably fixing a cantilever which is provided with a stylus at a front end thereof and a base end side of which is supported by a main body portion in a single-supported state, the cantilever holder including a base member having a mounting portion for mounting the main body portion in a state of being positioned at a predetermined position, a holding member made to be able to be brought into contact with at least a surface of the main body portion in a state of mounting the main body portion on the mounting portion and extended in a direction substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction (axis line A direction) of the cantilever, and pressing means for pressing both ends of the holding member to the base member by a predetermined pressure, fixing the main body portion to the mounting portion by way of the holding member and cap

Abstract: An electron beam apparatus with an aberration corrector using multipole lenses is provided. The electron beam apparatus has a scan mode for enabling the operation of the aberration corrector and a scan mode for disabling the operation of the aberration corrector and the operation of each of the aberration corrector, a condenser lens, and the like is controlled such that the object point of an objective lens does not change in either of the scan modes. If a comparison is made between the secondary electron images of a specimen in the two modes, the image scaling factor and the focus remain unchanged and evaluation and adjustment can be performed by distinctly recognizing only the effect of the aberration corrector. This reduces the time required to adjust an optical axis which has been long due to an axial alignment defect inherent in the aberration corrector and an axial alignment defect in a part other than the aberration corrector which are indistinguishably intermingled with each other.

Abstract: An improved method for rapidly and accurately modifying small structures, including structures on a micron or nanometer scale, suitable for the repair of defects in lithographic photo-masks and semiconductors on a nano-scopic level. Features or samples repaired may be conductive or non-conductive. A single instrument can be employed to both observe the surface of the mask or wafer, and to effectuate the repair of conductive and non-conductive features thereon. Using a Stylus-Nano-Profilometer probe, rapid lateral strokes across the sample surface in a definable pattern at known high applied pressure are used to effectuate defect repair. The tip of the probe can also be dithered rapidly in a pattern or used as to create a jackhammer effect to more effectively remove material from the sample surface.

Abstract: In a method for preparing a sample for electron microscopic examinations, in particular with a transmission electron microscope (TEM), a) a substrate containing the sample to be prepared on a sample locus is provided in a vacuum chamber, b) a protective layer is applied onto a surface of the sample locus, c) the sample located under the protective layer is separated from the substrate by an ion beam, the protective layer acting as a mask, and d) in the vacuum chamber, the separated sample is removed from the substrate.

Abstract: A method for focusing a charged particle beam, the method including: (a) altering a focal point of a charged particle beam according to a first focal pattern while scanning a first area of a sample and collecting a first set of detection signals; (b) altering a focal point of a charged particle beam according to a second focal pattern while scanning a second area that is ideally identical to the first area and collecting a second set of detection signals; and (c) processing the first and second set of detection signals to determine a focal characteristic; wherein the first focal pattern and the second focal pattern differ by the location of an optimal focal point.

Abstract: A method and device to accurately obtain very small quantity of wear of the order of nanometers of a protective film on the surface of a sliding member. A quantity of wear on the surface of a measurement sample including a base and a coating layer is measured by making a spectrum of the surface elements in a reference sample using a surface-element analysis device which analyzes elements on the surface of a substance from an energy spectrum of charged particles obtained by applying excited ionization radiation on the reference sample equivalent to the measurement and by measuring charged particles generated from the surface of the substance. A step of obtaining signal intensity ratios of plural elements from the spectrum is repeated a plurality of times while the surface of the reference sample is being etched and calibration curves which indicate a distribution of the signal intensity ratios of the plural elements in the reference sample are made.

Abstract: A charged particle beam apparatus comprising a preparatory evacuation chamber (15 in FIG. 1A) into which a sample (12) is conveyed and which is preliminarily evacuated, an ultraviolet irradiation unit (21) which is disposed in the preparatory evacuation chamber (15) and which irradiates the surface of the sample (12) conveyed into the preparatory evacuation chamber (15), with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined time period, and a sample chamber (16) into which the sample (12) is conveyed in the preliminarily evacuated state of the preparatory evacuation chamber (15) or from which the sample (12) is conveyed into the preparatory evacuation chamber (15), wherein the ultraviolet irradiation of the sample (12) by the ultraviolet irradiation unit (21) is performed before the conveyance of the sample (12) into the sample chamber (16), or/and after the conveyance thereof from the sample chamber (16), thereby to remove contamination on the surface of the sample (12).

Abstract: In a scanning electron microscope, slimming is reduced by reducing a frame count. As the frame count is reduced, the amount of detected secondary electrons decreases, so that a probe current amount is increased to emit an increased amount of detected secondary electrons. A primary electron beam is scanned on a sample, a histogram is created, and the histogram is second-order differentiated to calculate a level of halftone at which a sample image changes in contrast, and to calculate the probe current amount. By adjusting the frame count suitable for the calculated probe current amount, and the contrast suitable for the sample image, the slimming of the sample is limited, and a highly visible sample image is generated for length measurement.

Abstract: Charged particle beam equipment has a processing unit for calibrating dimension values of an enlarged specimen image, and means for changing the amount by which a charged particle beam is scanned. Also, a specimen stand has a mechanism for holding a specimen having a periodical structure or a specimen simultaneously having a periodical structure and a non-periodica structure, and a storage device for automatically changing a magnification for an enlarged specimen image, and storing measured values at all magnifications.

Abstract: Methods for making optically blind reference pixels and systems employing the same. The reference pixels may be configured to be identical to, or substantially identical to, the active detector elements of a focal plane array assembly. The reference pixels may be configured to use the same relatively longer thermal isolation legs as the active detector pixels of the focal plane, thus eliminating joule heating differences. An optically blocking structure may be placed in close proximity directly over the reference pixels.

Abstract: A broad-beam laser irradiation apparatus can measure the parametric or functional response of a semiconductor device to exposure to dose-rate equivalent infrared laser light. Comparisons of dose-rate response from before, during, and after accelerated aging of a device, or from periodic sampling of devices from fielded operational systems can determine if aging has affected the device's overall functionality. The dependence of these changes on equivalent dose-rate pulse intensity and/or duration can be measured with the apparatus. The synchronized introduction of external electrical transients into the device under test can be used to simulate the electrical effects of the surrounding circuitry's response to a radiation exposure while exposing the device to dose-rate equivalent infrared laser light.

Abstract: A bolometer type ultra-sensitive silicon sensor pixel of a multi-pixel sensor wherein each pixel includes a detector stage, an intermediate stage, and a heat bath stage. The detector stage, the intermediate stage and a portion of the heat bath stage are generally co-planar and are interconnected by I-beam bridges so as to permit mutually co-planar rotation in response to stress and strain. Electrical coupling is improved between a micro-antenna and the detector stage by a two stage transformer assembly that couples the micro-antenna to the detector stage.

Abstract: Compact, OSL-based devices for long-term, unattended radiation detection and spectroscopy are provided. In addition, a method for extracting spectroscopic information from these devices is taught. The devices can comprise OSL pixels and at least one radiation filter surrounding at least a portion of the OSL pixels. The filter can modulate an incident radiation flux. The devices can further comprise a light source and a detector, both proximally located to the OSL pixels, as well as a power source and a wireless communication device, each operably connected to the light source and the detector. Power consumption of the device ranges from ultra-low to zero. The OSL pixels can retain data regarding incident radiation events as trapped charges. The data can be extracted wirelessly or manually. The method for extracting spectroscopic data comprises optically stimulating the exposed OSL pixels, detecting a readout luminescence, and reconstructing an incident-energy spectrum from the luminescence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the effect-particle orientation in a film or coating are disclosed. The method comprises using opposing directional reflectance measurements, preferably in continuous processes and allows for an on-line evaluation system to provide more specific control over particle orientation, thereby allowing for better color matching between and among various panels or articles.

Abstract: A ZnS (Ag) scintillation detector comprises a ZnS (Ag) scintillators layer 22 which is excited by incident ?-rays and emits a scintillator light, a photomultiplier tube 16 which converts the scintillator light into an electric pulse signal, and a counting rate meter 34 which counts the obtained pulse signal. The scintillator layer has a thickness which is not less than a range of ?-rays from ?-ray emitting nuclides (natural radioactive nuclides) to be separated, which enables energy absorption of ?-rays from the ?-ray emitting nuclides to be separated to entirely occur in the scintillator layer, and which enables light shielding of the scintillator light generated in the scintillator layer by the scintillator layer itself to be neglected. A pulse height discrimination circuit 32 is further provided in a preceding stage of the counting rate meter. Thereby, the effect of the natural radioactive nuclides can be reduced and the contamination control can be efficiently and smoothly performed.

Abstract: A nuclear camera (10) includes four or more gamma detectors (20, 20?, 20?, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206) arranged or, a generally circular rotatable gantry (12, 12?, 12?, 12??) around an imaging region that emits emission radiation. The gamma detectors are each disposed at a fixed equal distance (R, R2, R3, R5) from an imaging isocenter (22, 22?, 22?, 22??) to rotate in a fixed radius circular orbit. Each gamma detector includes a radiation sensitive surface (72) that responds to the emission radiation and a slat collimator (70) that spins about an axis 88. Resolution and sensitivity at the fixed radius are selected by selecting collimator slat height (Wz) and spacing (G) and radiation sensitive surface width (Cy). The gamma detectors and rotating gantry are enclosed in an optically opaque toroidal housing (14) that defines a generally circular bore (16) that admits imaging subjects over a range of sizes.

Abstract: Embodiments include an imaging system that includes a collimator support base and a detector assembly. The collimator support base is configured to interchangeably accept a slit aperture collimator and a pinhole aperture collimator. The slit aperture collimator has either a corresponding septa assembly or a corresponding crossed-slit collimator. The detector assembly is configured to detect collimated gamma rays emanating from a subject in a field of view of the imaging system and generate one or more signals in response to the detected gamma rays. Methods of adjusting performance of imaging systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method, device and system for monitoring ionizing radiation. The method including: collecting an ionizing radiation induced charge collected by the depletion region of a diode formed in a silicon layer below an oxide layer buried below a surface of a silicon substrate; and coupling a cathode of the diode to a precharged node of a clocked logic circuit such that the ionizing radiation induced charge collected by a depletion region of the diode will discharge the precharged node and change an output state of the clocked logic circuit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a photo-detector array including a plurality of sub-arrays of photo-detectors, the photo-detectors of each sub-array being formed of: a plurality of anodes formed at a first surface of at least one substrate; a corresponding plurality of cathodes formed at a second surface of at least one substrate; and an electrical interconnection between the plurality of anodes, whereby outputs of the array are provided by the plurality of cathodes, wherein a plurality of said sub-arrays of photo-detectors are placed adjacent to each other in a matrix to form the photo-detector array.

Abstract: The present invention provides flexible radiation detectors and related methods, including methods of making radiation detectors and assemblies according to the present invention. A flexible radiation detector includes a first resin layer and a scintillator layer deposited on the first resin layer. A method of making a flexible radiation detector includes forming a first resin layer on a substrate, depositing a scintillator layer on the first resin layer, and removing from the substrate at least a portion of a combination comprising the first resin layer and the scintillator, thereby producing a flexible radiation detector comprising the removed portion of first resin layer and scintillator layer.

Abstract: A radiation detection device comprising a plasma display panel (PDP) with a multiplicity of radiation detection pixels, each radiation detection pixel being defined by a hollow gas filled Plasma-shell having one or more flat sides. Arrays of Plasma-shells are positioned on a suitable base such as a substrate and used to inspect and detect radiation from a selected object. Each Plasma-shell may be of any suitable geometric configuration, including a Plasma-disc and a Plasma-dome. Luminescent material may be positioned near or on each Plasma-shell to provide or enhance light output. A flexible base substrate may be used to wrap a layer or blanket of radiation detection Plasma-shells about the selected object.

Abstract: A neutron detecting and method of use for a semiconducting material having a formula of M1M2B14 where M1 is aluminum, magnesium, silver, sodium or scandium and M2 is boron, chromium, erbium, holmium, lithium, magnesium, thulium, titanium, yttrium, or gadolinium.

Abstract: An ion focusing and conveying device 10 comprises a plurality of electrodes 12 in series. Means is provided to apply a first alternating voltage waveform to each electrode 12, the phase of the alternating voltage in the first waveform is applied to each electrode 12 in the series being ahead of the phase of the first alternating voltage waveform applied to the preceding electrode 12 in the series by less than 180°, preferably by 90° or less, such that ions are focused onto an axis of travel and impelled along the series of electrodes 12.

Abstract: A detector is disclosed for sensing an intensity of an electron beam generated along a path. An exemplary detector includes an exposed conductor attached to a support which is configured to locate the exposed conductor within a path of an electron beam; a grounded conductor isolated from the exposed conductor, the grounded conductor partly surrounding the exposed conductor to form a plasma shield having a window positioned at least in a direction of the electron beam path.

Abstract: In order to realize initializing sequences with high accuracy and high reproducibility, a positioning device according includes an XY slider movable in directions X and Y, an object position measuring device for measuring the position of the XY slider, an X beam guiding the XY slider in the direction Y and movable in the direction X, a Y beam guiding the XY slider in the direction X and movable in the direction Y, electromagnet units having at least two pairs of electromagnets provided on the XY slider in such a manner as to embrace side faces of the X beam and the Y beam, and a rotation regulating portion provided on the X beam for regulating the rotation of the X beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the lifetime of an optical sensor. In one aspect, the method includes the step of configuring the optical sensor so that the duty cycle of sensor's radiant source is less than 100% over a continuous period amount of time when the sensor is periodically obtaining data regarding an analyte. By operating the sensor according to the above inventive method, the indicator molecules of the optical sensor are not excited during the entire continuous period of time during which the sensor is needed to provide data regarding the presence or concentration of a substance. Thus, the method increases the life of the indicator molecules.

Abstract: A biological aerosol detector is provided. The biological aerosol detector uses a semiconductor optical source with an ultraviolet emission band to excite biological molecules in an aerosol sample. Filtering optics are configured to attenuate radiation from a secondary emission band of the optical source to prevent false signals due to scattering of secondary emission band radiation from non-biological molecules. An intake/exhaust manifold that includes an intake pipe that fits within a concentric exhaust pipe is also provided. The intake/exhaust manifold planarizes the flow of the sampled aerosol to maximize the time of irradiation. An electrostatic sampling grid is also provided to selectively draw biological molecules having a net charge into the optical chamber.