Abstract: An apparatus for generating high voltage (HV) driving signals associated with an ion mobility detector comprises a ground-based HV base module and a HV deck module coupled by an interconnect module. The HV base module implements dual power supplies that together drive a drift tube voltage signal to the high-voltage-based deck module. Each of the power supplies is regulated by a combination open loop and closed loop controller. The HV deck module implements one or more grid modules that generate a bipolar voltage that floats on the drift tube voltage signal. Also included may be a pulse generator configured to generate at least one synchronizing timing pulse. Power supplies within the apparatus may be synchronized based on the synchronization timing pulse.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring radon and thoron using an ionization chamber is proposed. The apparatus includes: a pump for air inflow suctioning and sending external air to at least one channel; a first sensor module outputting an alpha particle detection signal of an electrical signal by detecting alpha (?) particles discharged from radon and thoron; an air inflow delay module delaying air for a predetermined delay time and then outputting the air; a second sensor module outputting an alpha particle detection signal of an electrical signal by detecting alpha (?) particles discharged from radon and thoron; and a control module discriminating normal or abnormal alpha particle detection signals, counting the normal alpha particle detection signals discriminated for a predetermined measurement time, and calculating radioactive ray concentration values on the basis of the counted number of times of the normal alpha particle detection signals.

Abstract: A module, including at least one first component in the form of a semiconductor component including multiple stress measuring cells situated in a distributed manner for detecting stress measured values at different measuring positions of the semiconductor component, at least one second component which is mechanically coupled to the semiconductor component, and an evaluation unit, which is designed to ascertain at least one location-dependent stress distribution in the semiconductor component based on the stress measured values detected at one measuring point in time, and to ascertain a deformation state of the at least one second component at the measuring point in time on the basis of the at least one ascertained location-dependent stress distribution in the semiconductor component. A corresponding method for monitoring environmental influences on a module is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photoionization gas sensor including an ultraviolet generating module having a first substrate, a second substrate, and a third substrate sequentially coupled in a vertical direction, and configured to generate ultraviolet by applying an electric field to a noble gas filling a first cavity, the first cavity formed in a central portion of the second substrate, and a measuring module configured to collect an electrical signal, the electrical signal being generated such that an electric field is applied to a passage, through which gas ionized by ultraviolet passes, so as to allow the ionized gas to come into contact with an electrode, thereby having a small volume and being operated at a low voltage.

Abstract: A sensor is provided for detecting small concentrations of volatile organic compounds in ambient air. The sensor has a lamp assembly and a gas sampling chamber assembly which are operatively associated. The gas sampling chamber assembly has an ionization chamber and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly has sensing, counter and auxiliary electrodes and circuitry. The electrodes are positioned within the ionization chamber and are separated from one another. The circuitry is configured to apply a voltage difference to the sensing and counter electrodes, control an electrical potential of the auxiliary electrode to be substantially equal to an electrical potential of the counter electrode, measure/estimate a current at the sensing electrode and at the auxiliary electrode, determine a difference between the current at the sensing electrode and the current at the auxiliary electrode, and correct the current at the sensing electrode by using the difference.

Abstract: The present utility model relates to a device for improving gas detection in a photoionization detector. A gas detector is provided. The device reduces interference of photoelectric noise on the reading of the gas detector for target gases such as volatile organic compounds.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp and photoionization sensor employing the gas discharge lamp. The lamp includes a housing containing a working gas sealed within the housing and a primary ultra-violet transparent window through a first longitudinal end of the housing. In a first embodiment the lamp includes an arched band of elastic getter material band with longitudinally extending diametrically opposed legs wedged within the chamber defined by the housing. In a second embodiment the lamp includes a second ultra-violet transparent window within the housing held into positon against the primary ultra-violet transparent window by an arched metal support band within the housing.

Abstract: An optical-fiber atomic light-filtering apparatus comprising an optical-fiber coupling focusing collimating mirror, a first polarizing optical fiber, a first permanent magnetic ring, a pure iron frame shaped like the Chinese character “”, a heat preservation box, a first capillary atomic cell, an armored twisted-pair heating wire, a second permanent magnetic ring, a second polarizing optical fiber, a thermostat, a cable, a third permanent magnetic ring, a temperature sensor, a second capillary atomic cell, a fourth permanent magnetic ring, a third polarizing optical fiber and a photoelectric detector. The two pairs of permanent magnetic rings are matched with the pure iron frame shaped like the Chinese character “” to provide magnetic fields for the two capillary atomic cells working in the same temperature environment; a polarizing plane changes after interaction between a weak signal light and atoms.

Abstract: An anechoic chamber for testing a device under test is provided. The anechoic chamber comprises at least one gas input means for inputting a gas into the anechoic chamber, and at least one gas output means for outputting the gas out of the chamber. In addition to this, the gas input means and the gas output means create a directed gas stream with respect to a predefined region of the anechoic chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device and method for detecting a defect in a main shaft of a wind turbine. The device includes: an excitation source, configured to generate an electromagnetic ultrasonic guided wave signal; a nickel strap, magnetized and disposed on an outer surface of an end of the main shaft; a coil, disposed at the nickel strap, configured to receive the electromagnetic ultrasonic guided wave signal such that the electromagnetic ultrasonic guided wave signal propagates in the main shaft, the coil and the nickel strap being configured to transform the electromagnetic ultrasonic guided wave signal propagating in the main shaft into an electrical signal by electromagnetic induction; a signal collector, configured to collect the electrical signal and transform the electrical signal into guided wave detection data and a wireless communication component, configured to transmit the guided wave detection data to a remote equipment.

Abstract: A 3Helium gas counter comprising polyethylene slabs, a rectangular gas tube within the polyethylene slabs, and a mixture of 3Helium and Xenon. A 3Helium gas counter comprising polyethylene slabs, a rectangular gas tube within the polyethylene slabs, and a mixture of 3Helium and Krypton. A method of making a 3Helium gas counter comprising providing polyethylene slabs, placing a rectangular gas tube within the polyethylene slabs, and depositing a mixture of 3Helium and Xenon into the rectangular gas tube.

Abstract: An atomic flux measurement device for measuring the amount of dissociated atomic flux produced by discharge and emitted from a plasma generation cell into a vacuum camber. The atomic flux measurement device includes a counter electrode body including a pair of first and second sheet-like electrodes that are arranged substantially parallel to each other with a predetermined spacing between them, a direct-current power supply configured to maintain the first sheet-like electrode at a negative potential so that atoms attached to the inner surface of the sheet-like electrode undergo self-ionization and to apply a direct-current voltage between the first and second sheet-like electrodes so that a current flows between the first and second sheet-like electrodes, and a direct-current ammeter configured to measure a current flowing due to electrons emitted by the self-ionization of the dissociated atoms attached to the inner surface of the first sheet-like electrode.

Abstract: Improvements in and Relating to Aspirating Smoke Detectors Disclosed is an aspirating smoke detection system comprising: at least two different types of detector; and a processor operable to receive signals from the at least two different types of detector, and to determine an alarm status, wherein the alarm status is one of: an all clear status; a critical status; and a status intermediate between the all clear status and the critical status.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed towards a physics package of an atomic sensor. The physics package includes a plurality of panes of optically transparent material enclosing a vacuum chamber and one or more wedges attached to an external surface of one or more of the panes. The physics package also includes at least one of a light source, photodetector, or mirror attached to the one or more wedges, the light source configured to generate an input light beam for the vacuum chamber, the photodetector configured to detect an output light beam from the vacuum chamber, and the mirror configured to reflect a light beam from the vacuum chamber back into the vacuum chamber, wherein the wedge is configured to oriented such a light source, photodetector, or mirror such that a respective light beam corresponding thereto transmits through a corresponding pane at an acute angle with respect to the corresponding pane.

Abstract: An exemplary detector includes a source of radiation. A detection chamber is configured to at least temporarily contain a fluid. At least some of the radiation ionizes at least some of the fluid. At least some of the radiation produces light in the detection chamber. An ionization sensor provides an output corresponding to an amount of fluid ionization in the detection chamber. A light sensor provides an output corresponding to an amount of the light detected by the light sensor.

Abstract: A radiation detector that can be used to detect the intensity of radiation fields and provide feedback to the user about the location of radiation fields. The radiation detector has a number of radiation detection volumes that are arranged in a staggered pattern relative to a sweeping direction of the radiation detector. The staggered arrangement of the detection volumes allows a large gap-free detection volume that is composed of smaller detection volumes in order to provide adequate sensitivity.

Abstract: An exemplary ionization window assembly includes a support layer having a thickness between a first side and a second side. There is at least one opening in the support layer extending between the first and second sides. The opening has a first width dimension near the first side of the support layer and a second, larger width dimension near the second side of the support layer. A window layer is supported on the second side of the support layer. The window layer extends across the opening to allow ionizing radiation to pass through the opening in a direction from the first side toward the second side.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating neutron-induced 4He (or other nuclei) recoil from background, which is predominantly gamma-ray induced electrons and cosmic rays, using software analysis of digitized electrical pulses generated in a six tube, high-pressure (11 bar) helium-4 (4He) detector, are described. Individual electrical pulses from the detector were recorded using a 12-bit digitizer, and differences in pulse rise time and amplitudes, due to different energy loss of neutrons and gamma rays, are used for neutron/gamma ray separation.

Abstract: A neutron detector comprises at least two conductive cathode sheets lying parallel to one another and coated with neutron reactive material on at least one side thereof; dielectric material separating the cathode sheets and covering less than about 80% of their surface area; and a plurality of anode wires lying generally parallel to the cathode sheets and separated from them by the dielectric, with the distance between adjacent anode wires being no more than twenty times the distance between said cathode sheets. The cathode sheets may be flat or curved; they may be separate plates or they may be successive folds or windings of a single folded or spiral-shaped metal sheet. Related methods for building the detector are disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary ionization device includes a pyroelectric electron accelerator that causes electrons to move away from the accelerator. A silicon target is positioned in a path of the electrons. X-ray radiation results from the electrons colliding with the target.

Abstract: An exemplary ionization window assembly includes a support layer having a thickness between a first side and a second side. There is at least one opening in the support layer extending between the first and second sides. The opening has a first width dimension near the first side of the support layer and a second, larger width dimension near the second side of the support layer. A window layer is supported on the second side of the support layer. The window layer extends across the opening to allow ionizing radiation to pass through the opening in a direction from the first side toward the second side.

Abstract: Gas-filled neutron detectors, an imaging system and an array of such detectors are provided. Surfaces or surface portions incorporated into the gas-filled neutron detectors are coated with and/or composed of at least partially, neutron reactive material. The surfaces may be flat or curved, fins or plates, foils, thin sheets, porous or filamentary material, or semi-solid material or aerogel. The incorporation of the extended surfaces coated with or composed of neutron reactive material increases the neutron detection efficiency of the gas-filled detectors. The surfaces can be made of conductive, semiconductive, semi-insulating, or insulative materials. The surfaces are arranged such that they do not detrimentally detract from the main function of a gas-filled detector with particular attention to gas-filled proportional detectors. The surfaces may be arranged in the detectors to allow for modular construction.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a millimeter-wave inspection apparatus. The millimeter-wave inspection apparatus comprises: optics devices, configured to receive millimeter-wave energy radiated from an object to be inspected and focus the received millimeter-wave energy; a radiometer receiving device configured to receive the focused millimeter-wave energy and transform the millimeter-wave energy into electrical signal; and an imaging device configured to generate a temperature image of the object to be inspected based on the electrical signal. Compared with the prior art, the millimeter-wave inspection apparatus of the present invention has a simple and compact structure; it would not be harmful to the human health by employing the passive millimeter-wave human body security inspection technology. With the above configuration, the contraband items to be concealed within the human clothing can be efficiently and effectively detected.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging device includes a gas avalanche detector detecting and locating X-ray or gamma ray ionizing radiation.

Abstract: An electrode for an ionization chamber and an ionization chamber including an electrode are provided wherein the electrode comprises a substrate comprising a first material, and a plurality of nanowires extending from the substrate and manufactured by processing the first material of the substrate.

Abstract: A plasma panel based ionizing-particle radiation detector includes a first substrate and a second substrate coupled to the first substrate by a hermetic seal. The second substrate is an ultra-thin substrate. The detector further includes a discharge gas between the first and second substrate and at least one second electrode electrically coupled to a first electrode and defining at least one pixel with the first electrode. The second electrode is coupled to the first substrate and a first impedance is coupled to the first electrode. The detector further includes a power supply coupled to at least the first or second electrode and a first discharge event detector circuitry is coupled to at least one of the first or second electrodes for detecting a gas discharge counting event in the electrode. The detector further includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel capable of outputting a gas discharge pulse upon interaction with ionizing-radiation.

Abstract: A radiation detector is formed from a plasma panel that includes a front substrate, and a back substrate that forms a generally parallel gap with the front substrate. X (column) and Y (row) electrodes are coupled by gas discharge events to define one or more pixels. Impedances are coupled to the X and Y electrodes, and a power supply is coupled to one or both types of electrodes. Discharge event detectors are coupled to the impedances.

Abstract: Surfaces or surface portions incorporated into gas-filled neutron detectors are coated with and/or composed of at least partially, neutron reactive material. The surfaces may be flat or curved fins or plates, foils, porous or filamentary material, or semi-solid material or aerogel. The incorporation of the extended surfaces coated with or composed of neutron reactive material increases the neutron detection efficiency of the gas-filled detectors over conventional coated designs. These surfaces or surface portions increase the amount of neutron reactive material present in the detector over conventional coated designs and, as a result, increase the neutron detection efficiency. The surfaces can be made of conductive, semiconductive or insulative materials. The surfaces are arranged such that they do not detrimentally detract from the main function of a gas-filled detector with particular attention to gas-filled proportional detectors.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging device includes a gas avalanche detector detecting and locating X-ray or gamma ray ionizing radiation.

Abstract: A radiation detector is formed from a plasma panel that includes a front substrate, and a back substrate that forms a generally parallel gap with the front substrate. X (column) and Y (row) electrodes are coupled by gas discharge events to define one or more pixels. Impedances are coupled to the X and Y electrodes, and a power supply is coupled to one or both types of electrodes. Discharge event detectors are coupled to the impedances.

Abstract: Devices, apparatus and methods are disclosed for non-contact pneumatic sampling and sampling of surfaces, persons, articles of clothing, buildings, furnishings, vehicles, baggage, packages, mail, and the like, for contaminating aerosols or vapors indicative of a hazard or a benefit, where the contaminating aerosols or vapors are chemical, radiological, biological, toxic, or infectious in character. In a first device, a central orifice for pulling a suction gas stream is surrounded by a peripheral array of convergingly-directed gas jets, forming a virtual sampling chamber. The gas jets are configured to deliver millisecond pneumatic pulses that erode particles and vapors from solid surfaces at a distance.

Abstract: Devices, apparatus and methods are disclosed for non-contact pneumatic sampling and sampling of surfaces, persons, articles of clothing, buildings, furnishings, vehicles, baggage, packages, mail, and the like, for contaminating aerosols indicative of a hazard or a benefit, where the contaminating aerosols are chemical, radiological, biological, toxic, or infectious in character. In a first device, a central orifice for pulling a suction gas stream is surrounded by a peripheral array of convergingly-directed gas jets, forming a virtual sampling chamber. The gas jets are configured to deliver millisecond pneumatic pulses that erode particles from solid surfaces at a distance.

Abstract: An electron generating device extracts electrons, through an electron sheath, from plasma produced using RF fields. The electron sheath is located near a grounded ring at one end of a negatively biased conducting surface, which is normally a cylinder. Extracted electrons pass through the grounded ring in the presence of a steady state axial magnetic field. Sufficiently large magnetic fields and/or RF power into the plasma allow for helicon plasma generation. The ion loss area is sufficiently large compared to the electron loss area to allow for total non-ambipolar extraction of all electrons leaving the plasma. Voids in the negatively-biased conducting surface allow the time-varying magnetic fields provided by the antenna to inductively couple to the plasma within the conducting surface. The conducting surface acts as a Faraday shield, which reduces any time-varying electric fields from entering the conductive surface, i.e. blocks capacitive coupling between the antenna and the plasma.

Abstract: An economical position-sensing muon detector for muon radiography is constructed using a pair of glass plates spaced apart by crossed parallel barriers. Smaller detector wires are interspersed between the barriers and an ionizing gas is used to fill the space between the plates. A muon striking near where detector wires cross causes a local momentary current flow. The current flow in two of the detector wires is sensed to determine the coordinates of the muon impact. Such muon detectors can be assembled in modular surface arrays and such arrays can be positioned on spatial surfaces for differential inspection and detection of muons transiting through and emanating from objects placed within the inspection space. Such a detector constitutes a novel and useful invention in providing an inspection device and means for cargo or cargo vehicles that detects muons transiting through and emanating from hazardous materials intended to cause malicious harm.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to develop a generic method for identification of gases and a corresponding device, which has a simple structure and allows immediate and simultaneous detection of the chemical compounds to be tested, and which uses for identification the material-specific mobility and simultaneously the change in this mobility as a function of the electric field strength. This is achieved in that due to the resulting electric field, each ionized molecule has a drift velocity which is partially increased or decreased, wherein the resulting electric field is a DC field, on which an asymmetric AC field is superimposed. These methods and associated devices for the detection and identification of gases are used to identify and detect chemical compounds, in particular explosive and/or unhealthy substances or compounds, which must be detected in very small concentrations.

Abstract: A radiation detector is formed from a plasma panel that includes a front substrate, and a back substrate that forms a generally parallel gap with the front substrate. X (column) and Y (row) electrodes are coupled by gas discharge events to define one or more pixels. Impedances are coupled to the X and Y electrodes, and a power supply is coupled to one or both types of electrodes. Discharge event detectors are coupled to the impedances.

Abstract: A neutron detector comprises a gas-filled dielectric shell, preferably a glass balloon, having opposite electrodes. An electric field is established whereby ionizing particles may be detected via ionization and current flow in the gas, using a pulse height analyzer or other conventional means. The dielectric shell preferably has low gas permeability and a bulk resistivity in the range of 108 to 1017 ?-m, and is preferably in the millimeter to centimeter size range. Multiple balloons may be arranged in parallel or may be individually addressable by the detector electronics.

Abstract: A micro-sized gas detecting device with two electrodes separated by a gap of width ranging from 1 to 500 microns, where the detection is based on emission spectroscopy of gases in an electric discharge across the gap (discharge region) as the gas flows through the region. The characteristic light emitted by molecules during the discharge can be detected directly with photodiodes or transferred through optical fiber and detected with remote optical sensing components. The device can have single or multiple discharge regions in an array so that light emitted can be monitored at different wavelengths simultaneously. The device can operate under gaseous pressure ranging from a few milli-Torr to a few atmospheres. The device consumes little power (50 mW-100 mW) and can be powered with an alternating current and has the potential to be battery powered.

Abstract: A radiation detector is formed from a plasma panel that includes a front substrate, and a back substrate that forms a generally parallel gap with the front substrate. X (column) and Y (row) electrodes are coupled by gas discharge events to define one or more pixels. Impedances are coupled to the X and Y electrodes, and a power supply is coupled to one or both types of electrodes. Discharge event detectors are coupled to the impedances.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the analysis of molecules having a molecular weight of <1500 Da by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), wherein an analyte containing low molecular weight molecules is applied to a matrix material, which is characterized in that the matrix material comprises fullerene-derivatised silica. This process allows clear identification of small molecules through intensive signals without matrix -related background disturbances.

Abstract: Nested ionization chambers provide independent measurements of a radiation beam that does not fully irradiate the volume of one or both chambers. By mathematically combining these independent measurements, partial volume effects caused by a change in ionization detector calibrations when the full detector volume is not irradiated by the radiation beam, may be decreased, providing more accurate measurement of extremely small radiation beams.

Abstract: The present invention includes a high-energy detector having a cathode chamber, a support member, and anode segments. The cathode chamber extends along a longitudinal axis. The support member is fixed within the cathode chamber and extends from the first end of the cathode chamber to the second end of the cathode chamber. The anode segments are supported by the support member and are spaced along the longitudinal surface of the support member. The anode segments are configured to generate at least a first electrical signal in response to electrons impinging thereon.

Abstract: An array gas electron multiplier (GEM) digital imaging radiation detector and a control method thereof are disclosed. The array gas electron multiplier (GEM) digital imaging radiation detector includes an array GEM detector. The array GEM detector includes: an ionized electron generation unit for generating ionized electrons in internal filling gas by incident X-rays or gamma rays or by incident charged particles; a gas electron multiplication unit for multiplying the ionized electrons of the ionized electron generation unit in filling gas inside hole of a gas electron multiplier (GEM), through electron avalanche effect, using the GEM, to form electron clouds; a readout for detecting and outputting coordinates of the electron clouds as the readout receives positions through electrical signals, in which the positions of the electron clouds, being multiplied and formed in the gas electron multiplication unit, reach output electrodes.

Abstract: The gas filled in an envelope contains nitrogen and hydrogen. The nitrogen used as a supplementary gas is not polymerized even when radiation is applied to it, and serves to achieve higher resolution than in the case where carbon dioxide is used as the supplementary gas. The hydrogen can reduce the change of gas gain.

Abstract: A condition monitoring system for use in monitoring a generator. The condition monitoring system includes a sensor including an ion chamber located inside the generator for sensing particulates inside the generator. The sensor provides an electrical sensor output to an output converter that is also located inside the generator. The output converter converts the electrical sensor output to a light signal output which is transmitted out of the generator. An energy conversion device is located within the generator for receiving light energy from a light source outside of the generator and converting the light energy to electrical energy for powering the sensor and the output converter.

Abstract: A radiation detector includes a pressure-tight housing having a peripheral, cylindrically-shaped wall and opposite end closures. An electrode wire extends through a center of the housing, spaced from the cylindrically-shaped wall. A pressurized detector gas fills the housing, and circuit connections to the electrode wire and the housing permits application of an electric potential thereto. The electrode wire is composed of a material providing a source of alpha particles for ionizing the gas within the housing, generating an alpha peak on the output spectrum distinct from the peak generated by incident neutrons. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A radiation detector includes a pressure-tight housing having a peripheral, cylindrically-shaped wall and opposite end closures. An electrode wire extends through a center of the housing, spaced from the cylindrically-shaped wall. A pressurized detector gas fills the housing, and circuit connections to the electrode wire and the housing permits application of an electric potential thereto. The electrode wire is composed of a material providing a source of alpha particles for ionizing the gas within the housing, generating an alpha peak on the output spectrum distinct from the peak generated by incident neutrons. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation detector in which primary electrons are released into a gas by ionizing radiation from a radiation source (10) and are caused to drift to read-out electrodes (1) by means of an electric field (2) generated by applying a negative tension to a drifting electrode (11) located near the radiation source (10), characterized in that it comprises three sets of longitudinal electrodes (1) forming three superposed planes which are substantially perpendicular to said electric field (2), the longitudinal electrodes (1) in the respective planes being applied progressively positive tensions relatively to the drifting electrode (11) when going from the plane (4) closest to the drifting electrode to the plane (4?) farthest from the drifting electrode, said plane (4?) farthest from the drifting electrode being applied a positive tension.

Abstract: A radiation detector is formed from a plasma panel that includes a front substrate, and a back substrate that forms a generally parallel gap with the front substrate. X (column) and Y (row) electrodes are coupled by gas discharge events to define one or more pixels. Impedances are coupled to the X and Y electrodes, and a power supply is coupled to one or both types of electrodes. Discharge event detectors are coupled to the impedances.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring a depth of interaction of an ionizing event and improving resolution of a co-planar grid sensor (CPG) are provided. A time-of-occurrence is measured using a comparator to time the leading edge of the event pulse from the non-collecting or collecting grid. A difference signal between the grid signals obtained with a differential amplifier includes a pulse with a leading edge occurring at the time-of-detection, measured with another comparator. A timing difference between comparator outputs corresponds to the depth of interaction, calculated using a processor, which in turn weights the difference grid signal to improve spectral resolution of a CPG sensor. The device, which includes channels for grid inputs, may be integrated into an Application Specific Integrated Circuit. The combination of the device and sensor is included. An improved high-resolution CPG is provided, e.g., a gamma-ray Cadmium Zinc Telluride CPG sensor operating at room temperature.