Abstract: A method and a circuit arrangement are disclosed for determining radiation intensity using counting detectors or detector elements, in which x-ray radiation photons, which are either absorbed or absorbed in part, generate electrical signals, the pulse number and pulse height of which is correlated to an incident radiation intensity, and the radiation intensity is at least determined by counting the pulses. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the signal pulses incident on at least one detector or detector element are detected simultaneously by at least one continuously operating pulse height discriminator and by at least one pulse height discriminator operating in a clocked fashion, with the number of incident signal pulses being determined with the aid of these two items of detection information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an absorber with a hole for a metallic magnetic cryogenic detector and an aligning method. More specifically, the present invention is to provide an absorber with a small hole as an aligning mark for a temperature sensor used in a metallic magnetic cryogenic detector. A temperature sensor is bonded on the small hole of the absorber punched by a laser. Using the hole as an aligning mark the temperature sensor can be accurately positioned on the pick-up coil of the measuring means. Thus, the aligning method provides a magnetic measurement with an ideal coupling between the sensor and the pick-up loop. It eventually presents a precise measurement of the energy spectrum absorbed in a metallic magnetic cryogenic detector.

Abstract: A method of collecting data on radioactive material includes: positioning a detector unit at a first position relative to the environment; collecting at least a part of a first set of data from a first position using a detector unit; and collecting at least a part of one or more subsequent sets of data on the environment from one or more subsequent positions using the detector unit; wherein one or more of the subsequent positions is determined, at least in part, by considering at least a part of the data of one or more of the sets of data previously collected. The subsequent positions are determined so as to improve the information on the radioactive material provided as a result of the data collected from that position.

Abstract: A device for processing a signal (i) derived from a particular detector, the device including an integrator for measuring the total charge transported by an input signal (i2) feeding the integrator for a predetermined time interval. The device further includes a plurality of units for receiving detector signal (i) derived from the particle detector, reducing the background noise present in the detector signal (i), and producing the input signal (i2). The invention is applicable to various devices and appliances for measuring flow of particles such as photons.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor (1) with very high sensitivity approaching the single-photon limit is realized with three modular building blocks: (a) a pixel (2.11, 2.12, . . . ) with a photo-site, intermediate photo-charge storage capability as used for correlated double sampling, and an electronic circuit for signal buffering or amplification, (b) a column or row signal line (3.1) to which a plurality of such pixels (2.11, 2.21, . . . ) is connected using transistor switches, incorporating a low-pass filter (30.1), and (c) a readout circuit (4) to which the row signal lines (3.1, 3.2, . . . ) are connected, consisting of a plurality of analog amplifiers (41.1, 41.2, . . . ) with an analog multiplexer (42). Photo-generated signals are read out and the reset level is subtracted either in the analog or in the digital domain, to implement a correlated-double-sampling method.

Abstract: A detecting apparatus (2) for determining the presence and/or concentration of a predetermined biomolecule on a biosensor (4) is disclosed. The biosensor (4) emits radio frequency radiation in response to irradiation of a photodiode (8) by laser light, and has a resonant circuit having a resonant frequency dependent upon the presence and/or concentration of the relevant biomolecule on the sensor (4). The apparatus (2) comprises a laser diode (12) irradiating the sensor (4), and a receiver (20, 22) for receiving RF radiation emitted by the sensor (4) and providing an output signal representing the frequency deviation in RP radiation emitted by the sensor (4) caused by the presence and/or changes in concentration of the biomolecule. Integrators (26, 38), multiplier (32) and adder (28) reduce the dependency of the frequency deviation signal on the output intensity of the laser diode (12).

Abstract: Monitoring radioactive emissions includes providing a processor having a plurality of potential data input channels, providing data input to the processor the potential data input channels, that data input being generated by an instrument, and combining all the data inputs in the processor. The processor is configured to handle data input from at least two of each of the following groups: (i) a gamma detector, a low resolution gamma detector, a high resolution gamma detector, a beta detector, an alpha detector, an ion detector, an X-ray detector, a neutron detector, a detectors responding to passive emissions, a detector responsive to active emissions, a detector responsive to a transmission source; and (ii) a distance measurer, such as a range finder, a visual radiation detector, such as a still camera and/or digital camera and/or video camera, a measurer of weight, a measurer of mass, a measurer of size.

Abstract: Nondestructive inspection (NDI) on a structure having a cavity includes exciting the structure with electromagnetic radiation and analyzing the cavity's electromagnetic field response to detect a state change of the structure.

Abstract: Personal radiation detection devices, methods of obtaining radiation exposure data, and networks of personal radiation devices. The detection devices may include passive devices and active devices. The passive detection devices may have the same form factor as credit cards or be included in common types of credit card form factor sized cards.

Abstract: A system and method for detection of alpha particles generated by a test material in proximity to a light atomic weight element. The system includes a neutron detector that is configured to detect a rate of generation of neutrons produced by an (alpha, n) reaction between the test material and the light atomic weight element. There is also at least one gamma-ray detector configured to measure a rate of generation of 511 keV gamma rays produced by an annihilation reaction triggered by a positron emission from a daughter product of the light atomic weight element. A comparator is configured to compare the rate of generation of neutrons and the rate of generation of 511 keV gamma rays.

Abstract: Fouling in the fill portion of a cooling tower is monitored by transmitting radiation through a cooling tower, detecting the amount of radiation that has penetrated the cooling tower, and calculating the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower based on the detected radiation. A higher than expected density indicates the presence of fouling on the fill portion of the cooling tower. A rate of fouling may be established by monitoring the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower over time.

Abstract: A portable electronic device comprising an image capturing unit adapted to capture at least one image of an object. Also, the portable electronic device may include at least one light emitting element adapted to emit infrared light. Further, the image capturing unit may reside within the portable electronic device and be configured to capture an image of the object illuminated with infrared light. The present invention provides a method for illuminating an object, a computer program product and an accessory unit to a portable electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for long-distance quantum communication and scalable quantum computation are disclosed. The methods and apparatus are based on probabilistic ion-photon mapping. Scalable quantum computation is achieved by forming deterministic quantum gates between remotely located trapped ions by detecting spontaneously emitted photons, accompanied by local Coulomb interaction between neighboring ions. Long-distance quantum communication and scalable quantum communication networks formed by employing a number of remote nodes that each include an ion trap and by employing probabilistic photon-mediated entanglement between the ions in each ion trap.

Abstract: A detector response correction arrangement and method is proposed for online determination of correction factors for arbitrary positions from arbitrary incident fluence distributions. As modern radiotherapy utilizes more of the available degrees of freedom of radiation machines, dosimetry has to be able to present reliable measurements for all these degrees of freedom. To determine correction factors online during measurement, Monte Carlo technique is used to precalculate fluence pencil kernels from a monodirectional beam to fully describe the particle fluence in an irradiated medium. Assuming that the particle fluence is not significantly altered by the introduction of a small detector volume, the fluence pencil kernels (212) can be integrated (214), and correction factors (216) determined, e.g. by Cavity Theory, in different positions for the detector material.

Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus includes a conversion layer for generating electrons in response to electromagnetic radiation photons, and a first semiconducting layer adjacent to the conversion layer for generating electron-hole pairs in response to electrons generated by the conversion layer.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device, such as a CMOS sensor, includes a unit pixel having a charge generation unit for generating signal charge, a floating diffusion for accumulating the signal charge generated by the charge generation unit, a transfer gate transistor for transferring the signal charge in the charge generation unit to the floating diffusion, a reset transistor for resetting the floating diffusion, and an amplifying transistor for generating a signal in accordance with the signal charge generated by the charge generation unit and outputting the signal to a vertical signal line. The width of a reset pulse for driving the reset transistor is sufficiently decreased to, for example, less than or equal to ½, and preferably less than or equal to ? of the response time of a signal that has occurred on the vertical signal line in response to the reset pulse.

Abstract: A radiation image detector including a charge generation layer, and a detection layer including: many pixels, each having a collection electrode for collecting charges generated in the charge generation layer, a storage capacitor for storing charges collected by the collection electrode, and a TFT switch for reading out charges from the storage capacitor; many scanning lines; and many data lines. Each storage capacitor is formed between a storage capacitor electrode connected to the drain electrode of a TFT switch and the scanning line connected to a TFT switch adjacent to the TFT switch to which the drain electrode belongs, an array of the TFT switches is divided into upper and lower halves, each data line is divided into upper and lower halves, and a dummy wire is provided at the division boundary for forming a storage capacitor of a pixel disposed at the division boundary section.

Abstract: A system for detecting unsecured nuclear materials. Whereas current portal monitors rely in part on physical prominence to deter materials from entering the country, their application at intra-modal transport points may actually serve to divert the movement of nuclear materials rather than aid in interception. A flexible and low-profile system has been developed for unobtrusive detection and tracking of radioactive sources in transit suited for deployment at traffic choke points such as rest stops, toll collection plazas, truck stops, and bridges. The system includes gamma radiation detectors, networking for linking these detectors, signal processing algorithms, and a central processing and control unit.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of identifying nuclides, including the steps of: determining spectral continuum via a peak erosion process to render a residual peak spectrum; filtering a standard nuclide library specified by a user to select candidate nuclides; simultaneously fitting calibrations and activities of selected candidate nuclides from the standard library to the peak spectrum using a standard least squares method; calculating statistical significances of optimized nuclide activities and determining shape correlations between optimized candidate nuclide peak spectra and measured peak spectrum with alternative candidates subtracted; and identifying and providing activities of nuclides determined to have sufficiently significant activities and sufficient shape correlations.

Abstract: An anthropometric phantom that can be subjected to ionizing radiations comprises a simulation of a part at least of a human body and which includes a number of cavities that contain a liquid that changes in colour when exposed to radiation.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging control apparatus includes an input unit configured to input a radiographic image from a sensor that detects radiant ray, and a control unit configured to cause a radiant ray generation apparatus to decrease the flux of radiant ray from a predetermined maximum value to a predetermined minimum value as time passes when the radiant ray generation apparatus irradiates the sensor with radiant ray.

Abstract: The invention refers to X-ray devices, an X-ray detector and a method of correcting intensity signals. An X-ray detector then comprises for determining the intensity of X-rays, which comprise a proportion of primary radiation having an irradiation direction and a proportion of scattered radiation, at least a first sensor elements, which are each provided for converting the X-rays into first and second intensity signals, and a filter element, which is provided for decreasing the proportion of scattered radiation in the intensity of the X-rays, wherein the second sensor elements are arranged in irradiation direction behind the filter element and wherein the first sensor element fastened to the filter element is provided for determining the intensity of the X-rays before leaving the filter element. The proportion of the scattered radiation calculated from the measuring data of the first and second sensor elements is provided for correcting the second intensity signals for the following image generation.

Abstract: Correction of scintillation event data from a nuclear medicine imaging system for effects of pulse pile-up is carried out by separating event data packets into total energy and individual detector energy data packets, executing pile-up correction algorithms on each of the separated packets simultaneously using a pipeline processing architecture, and reassembling the corrected data packets into corrected scintillation event data packets. Pulse tail correction information for each individual detector is stored in a storage medium for a present event and immediately preceding event for which correction information exists, which allows individual detector correction information to be retrieved by using a look-up procedure, thereby enabling correction to be performed within a single processor cycle.

Abstract: By considering ratio of emissions at one or more pairs of energies to threshold values, the invention provides for the determination of the dispersion format of a radioactive material within a matrix, wherein said radioactive material is potentially present in a dispersion format which is self-shielding against emissions arising from said radioactive. In particular the presence of lumpy material or the confirmation that lump material is absent may be provided. The following pairs of energies: 143.8 keV and 185.7 keV; 163.3 keV and 185.7 keV; 205.3 keV and 187.5 keV may be used.

Abstract: A variable waveform detector may include multiple stages.

Abstract: An approach for the selection of Compton camera shapes, configurations, positions, orientations, trajectory paths, and detector element sets is provided for collecting data for analysis using the surface integral and integral-of-line-integral methods of reconstruction Compton data. Methods are introduced for (1) selecting one or more imaging lines through a radioactive distribution for which approximations of integrals of radioactivity are to be derived, (2) selecting and using Compton camera relative positions, relative orientations, and detector element sets that “correspond to” the selected imaging lines to collect the needed data; and (3) deriving approximations of integrals of radioactivity along those imaging lines. This methodological approach is used to reconstruct line integrals, cross-sections, local volumes, parallel projections, and cone-beam projections of radioactive distributions.

Abstract: A high sensitivity, three-dimensional gamma ray detection and imaging system is provided. The system uses the Compton double scatter technique with recoil electron tracking. The system preferably includes two detector subassemblies; a silicon microstrip hodoscope and a calorimeter. In this system the incoming photon Compton scatters in the hodoscope. The second scatter layer is the calorimeter where the scattered gamma ray is totally absorbed. The recoil electron in the hodoscope is tracked through several detector planes until it stops. The x and y position signals from the first two planes of the electron track determine the direction of the recoil electron while the energy loss from all planes determines the energy of the recoil electron.

Abstract: A measurement device, such as a laser radar, is described that comprises a transmitter portion for transmitting radiation to a remote probe volume, a receiver portion for detecting radiation returned from the remote probe volume and a processor for analysing the detected return radiation. The device is suitable for transmitting and receiving radiation through a window portion having associated window cleaning apparatus (e.g. wiper 62) for cleaning said window portion in response to a cleaning activation signal. The processor is arranged to generate a cleaning activation signal for activating window cleaning apparatus when the properties of said detected return radiation are indicative of a reduction in transmission through at least part of said window portion. In one embodiment, a conically scanned lidar is described that generates a cleaning activation signal when the power of detected return radiation varies as a function of the angle of transmission of radiation from the device.

Abstract: A multi-channel spectroscopy system that reads the radiation energy information deposited into a radiation detector, processes it and properly transfers it to a computer embedded to ancillary data (conditions, GPD information etc.). The implementation method chosen is a highly parallel structure of identical channels interfaced to the digital world through a custom-designed intelligent card (back-end) and a commercial data acquisition PC card.

Abstract: A method for providing information on the dispersion of a radioactive material within a matrix includes measuring emissions of a first energy, the emissions including emissions of a first type, to provide a first type value; measuring emissions of a second energy, the emissions including emissions of a second type, to provide a second type value; measuring emissions of a third energy, the emissions including emissions of a third type, to provide a third type value; the interrelationship of the values for the first type value, second type value and third type value providing information on the dispersion of the radioactive material within the matrix due to the different effects of dispersion upon those different values.

Abstract: Enlargement of faulty pixel portions caused by irradiation of radiation is prevented in a radiation image detector equipped with a charge generating layer for generating charges when the radiation is irradiated thereon. Radiation irradiation suppressing members, for suppressing the irradiation of radiation, are provided at faulty pixel portions, which are detected in advance.

Abstract: A radiation detector has an electron emitter that includes a coated nanostructure on a support. The nanostructure can include a plurality of nanoneedles. A nanoneedle is a shaft tapering from a base portion toward a tip portion. The tip portion has a diameter between about 1 nm to about 50 nm and the base portion has a diameter between about 20 nm to about 300 nm. Each shaft has a length between about 100 nm to about 3,000 nm and an aspect ratio larger than 10. A coating covers at least the tip portions of the shafts. The coating exhibits negative electron affinity and is capable of emitting secondary electrons upon being irradiated by radiation. The nanostructure can also include carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coated with a material selected from the group of aluminum nitride (AlN), gallium nitride (GaN), and zinc oxide (ZnO).

Abstract: A passive, remote sensor including an optical subsystem for receiving electromagnetic radiation scattered off a surface. A detector is responsive to electromagnetic radiation received by the optical subsystem and generates a composite signal comprising a DC current component and an AC current component. A filter extracts the DC current component from the composite signal. A light emitting device is driven by the DC current component. A detector is responsive to the light emitting device and is connected to the first detector to subtract at least a portion of the DC component from the composite signal producing a modified signal. An amplifier is responsive to the modified signal detects vibrations of the surface to be detected.

Abstract: A large field of view projection image is obtained and a small field of view projection image is obtained. The two images are normalized, to take into account the difference between the count data between the images, and the way the images represent data. The large field of view image does not include truncation errors that are present in the small field of view image and therefore is stitched together with the smaller field of view image to use the improved data within the small field of view image with the truncation reduction enabled by the larger field of view image.

Abstract: A radiation image detector including the following layers stacked on top of another: a charge generation layer that generates charges by receiving radiation; and a detection layer which includes: multitudes of pixels, each having a collection electrode for collecting charges generated in the charge generation layer, a storage capacitor for storing charges collected by the collection electrode, and a TFT switch for reading out charges stored in the storage capacitor; multitudes of scanning lines for switching ON/OFF the TFT switches; and multitudes of data lines through which charges stored in the storage capacitors are read out. Here, each of the storage capacitors is formed between a storage capacitor electrode connected to the drain electrode of a TFT switch and the scanning line connected to a TFT switch adjacent to the TFT switch to which the drain electrode belongs.

Abstract: A first time stamp T1 indicative of the time of irradiation of an object and a second time stamp T2 indicative of the time of exposure of an image detector by the radiation image of the object, are generated. Meta-data relating to the object are associated with the radiation image of the object if T1 equals T2 or if T1 approximates T2 within a predefined limit.

Abstract: A method of generating a filter (40) for a nuclear medicine system (20) where the filter selects valid detected radiation events for image processing. A dataset (60) is provided that is indicative of a plurality of emitted radiation events occurring over a predetermined period of time. Signals representative of the response of a detector to the dataset of the plurality of emitted radiation events are generated. A pattern is determined (66) based on a correlation of a plurality of signals resulting from the response of the detector to a plurality of single radiation events in the dataset. A filter is generated (74) based on the correlation pattern. A method and apparatus of using the generated filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is for operation of a counting radiation detector, in particular of a counting X-ray detector, with improved linearity, in which each detector element of the counting radiation detector supplies counting pulses at counting rates as a function of a number of radiation quanta which occur per unit time during operation. In the method, the counting rates which are supplied from each detector element or from subsections of the detector element are converted via a functional relationship to actual counting rates or are multiplied by correction factors which are dependent on the magnitude of the counting rates. The correction factors are determined in advance for the respective detector element or for the subsections of it, and any discrepancy (which occurs as a result of a dead time of the detector element, for example) in the counting rates is corrected from the actual number of radiation quanta which arrive per unit time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for image reconstruction. A set of conical integrals are calculated to satisfy a completeness condition and are related to a distribution of radioactivity.

Abstract: The afterglow and count rate/dead time of a nuclear imaging detector are calculated for use in correcting event detection and energy integration circuits. Energy value signals and event triggering signals are respectively integrated as a function of the decay setting of the detector, until they reach stable values, which are respectively used as afterglow and count rate/dead time signals used by a data processor of the detector.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a flat detector in different dose ranges and at different amplifier levels. A previously measured detector sensitivity is respectively used for the calibration. The detector sensitivity is determined for each amplifier level at a multiplicity of different points in the overall gain-specific dose range. Further, a calibration value of the previously measured neighboring values is used in order to calibrate a measurement image for a predetermined dose.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to various methods of controlling exposure processes by monitoring photon levels, and various systems for accomplishing same. In one embodiment, the method comprises performing an exposure process by generating light comprised of a number of photons from a light source to expose at least a portion of a layer of photo-sensitive material, counting a number of photons incident on at least a portion of the layer of photo-sensitive material, and controlling at least one of a duration of the exposure process and an irradiance of the light source based upon the counted number of photons.

Abstract: Devices and methods for processing a signal emitted by a particle detector in which the methods include detecting in the signal the portions where the signal is greater than a predetermined value V1, measuring the maximum value Vmax reached by the signal in each of the portions, and associating with each of the portions an analog quantity Q which, at least in a predetermined range of values DELTA V1 of the maximum value Vmax, is an increasing function of (Vmax?V1).

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device, such as a CMOS sensor, includes a unit pixel having a charge generation unit for generating signal charge, a floating diffusion for accumulating the signal charge generated by the charge generation unit, a transfer gate transistor for transferring the signal charge in the charge generation unit to the floating diffusion, a reset transistor for resetting the floating diffusion, and an amplifying transistor for generating a signal in accordance with the signal charge generated by the charge generation unit and outputting the signal to a vertical signal line. The width of a reset pulse for driving the reset transistor is sufficiently decreased to, for example, less than or equal to ½, and preferably less than or equal to ? of the response time of a signal that has occurred on the vertical signal line in response to the reset pulse.

Abstract: A method for detecting an element is disclosed and which includes the steps of providing a gamma-ray spectrum which depicts, at least in part, a test region having boundaries, and which has a small amount of the element to be detected; providing a calculation which detects the small amount of the element to be detected; and providing a moving window and performing the calculation within the moving window, and over a range of possible window boundaries within the test region to determine the location of the optimal test region within the gamma-ray spectrum.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for detecting whether a corona discharge has occurred external or internal to equipment in which a broadband optical spectra sensor is placed. The broadband optical spectra sensor senses both the ultraviolet energy of the corona discharge and the infrared energy of afterglow of the discharge when the discharge occurs internal to the equipment. The sensed broadband optical spectra signal is processed and a determination is made as to whether the corona discharge occurred external or internal to the equipment from the pulse width of the sensed energy pulse.

Abstract: Digital detection of the occurrence of nuclear medicine radiation interaction events in a detector utilizes a digital energy signal sample to trigger signal processing of event signals from the detector by performing mathematical operations on the energy signal sample to determine the existence of a set of predetermined conditions that indicate the beginning of an interaction event in the detector.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring activity of radioactivity at a source location within an environment provided. The method in particular includes measuring emissions using an instrument as a measurement location, which instrument includes a detector, the instrument considering a detector field of view of the environment, which field of view includes a source location and providing an indication of detected emissions for that field of view, correcting the detected emissions to give emitted emissions in respect of that field of view, the correction being achieved by using a correction factor specific for that field of view, the correction factor accounting for one or more field of view format and/or the attenuation between the source location and the detector and/or the distance between the source location and the detector, the emitted emissions being indicative of the activity.

Abstract: An electromagnetic weapon that includes semi-randomly arranged antenna elements and a central weapon computer. The antenna elements are coordinated to function as an active phased array capable of finding and executing a resonate mode of a target. The central weapon computer controls all the antenna elements, and is able to determine the location of all the antenna elements.

Abstract: A method of quantitative positron emission analysis includes accounting for the loss of positron-electron annihilation events and quantitative inaccuracies in positron emission assays.