Abstract:
Method and apparatus for screening objects using Raman scattering methods to detect the presence of predefined substances or classes of substances. The predefined substances may be hazardous, toxic, or explosive. Radiation is supplied to an incident region of an object. Scattered light is collected from a collection region on the surface of the object spaced from the incident region. The characteristics of the scattered light include Raman features related to the predefined substances. The Raman features allow the presence, or not, of the predefined substances to be determined.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for determining, in-vivo, characteristics of sub-surface tissues or fluids in the human or animal body are disclosed. Incident radiation is supplied at one or more entry regions on a surface, and light is collected from one or more collection regions spaced from the entry regions. Raman features are detected in the collected light and depth related information derived therefrom.
Abstract:
An optical apparatus comprising a sample holding means (11), a detector (2) and first and second light selection means (5, 6, 15), the sample holding means being provided with a window to receive incident light (3) from a light source, the first light selection means (5) being arranged to allow light that passes from the sample holding means in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the incident light to pass to the detector, and the second light selection means (6, 15) being arranged to allow light that is emitted from the sample holding means in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of the incident light to pass to the detector.
Abstract:
A DC power converter in the form of a bank of resonant inverters each generating an AC output which is applied to a respective transformer. The transformer outputs are rectified and combined. In order to minimise AC ripple in the combined output, the outputs of each of the inverters are monitored and signals are generated to control the phase of the inverters such that a regular predetermined phase relationship is maintained between the inverters. The operation of a master inverter is used to control the synchronised operation of the other or slave inverters.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for detecting radiation are described. A detector for detecting radiation comprises a housing containing an ionisable gas, an array of anode wires extending substantially in a first plane, and arranged to be held at a first potential for attracting electrons, and at least one cathode wire spaced in a predetermined relationship from the anode wires, arranged to be held at a second, lower potential. The detector further comprises at least one additional electrode positioned adjacent a periphery of the array of anode wires, and arranged to be held at a third potential, greater than the second potential. A window for a radiation detector is described and comprising a housing containing an ionisable gas is also described. The window comprises a layer formed of an electrically conductive material forming an electrode, a layer formed of a plastic, arranged to support the layer formed of electrically conductive material, and a layer of gas impermeable material.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for detecting Raman spectral features non destructively from sub-surface regions of a diffusely scattering sample are disclosed. Incident radiation is supplied at one or more sample surface entry regions, and light is collected from one or more collection regions spaced from the entry regions. Raman features are detected in the collected light, and depth information is derived according to the entry-collection spacings.
Abstract:
A scanning tunneling microscope tip (15) is used to direct a rapidly switched stream of electrons at a target surface (12) by applying an electrical bias which brings the tip (16) close to the auto-emission threshold, and then using a pulsed laser (18) source directed at the tip (16) to trigger emission. Applications include high time and space resolution spectroscopy, and data recording apparatus.
Abstract:
An ionising particle analyser comprises a source of ionising particles, a charged particle detector, and an ionisable gas located between the source and the detector. The analyser further comprises a charged particle impeding device located between the source and the detector. The charged particle impeding device is arranged to be maintained in a first configuration at a potential to impede the passage of charged particles and pass uncharged particles.
Abstract:
An accelerated electron detector comprises an array of monolithic sensors in a CMOS structure, each sensor comprising a substrate (10), an epi layer (11), a p+ well (12) and n+ wells (13) which are separated from the p+ well (12) by the epi layer (11). Integrated in the p+ well are a plurality of NMOS transistors. The sensor also includes a deep n region (15) beneath the p+ well (12) which establishes within the epi layer a depletion layer so that on application of a biasing voltage charge carriers generated in the epi layer are caused to drift to the n+ well (13). The detector has improved radiation hardness and it therefore suitable for the detection and imaging of accelerated electrons such as in electron microscopes.
Abstract:
The electron multiplier array consists of a plurality of multiplier channels (1) with each channel generally comprising a substrate (2), an anode (5) and a series of stacked insulation layers (7) and dynode layers (11) describing the walls of the channel neighbouring insulator and metallic layers being separated by planarising layers (10). The electron multiplier array is robust and reduces the extent of the correction required for variations in performance between channels.