Purpose. To describe the characteristics of idiopathic macular holes (MH) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and correlate OCT with clinical assessment. Design....Full Text Available
The purpose of this study was to determine the thickness of the macula and the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in Japanese subjects by Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT), and to compare the...Full Text Available
PurposeTo describe ocular findings for a 34-year-old man with chronic solar retinopathy using high-speed ultrahigh-resolution (UHR) optical coherence tomography (OCT).Full Text Available
Purpose.To investigate the characteristics of a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) image phenomenon known as the mirror artifact, calculate its prevalence, analyze...Full Text Available
The 3-D spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images of the retina often do not reflect the true shape of the retina and are distorted differently along the x and y...Full Text Available
We present a method to make phantoms of coronary arteries for intravascular optical coherence tomography (IV-OCT). The phantoms provide a calibrated OCT response similar to the layered structure of...Full Text Available
BackgroundNew technology allows more precise definition of structural alterations of all retinal layers although it has not been used previously in cases of optic...Full Text Available
PurposeTo determine the effects of age on global and sectoral peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), macular thicknesses and optic nerve head (ONH) parameters...Full Text Available
Absolute measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF) are an important endpoint in studies of cerebral pathophysiology. Currently no accepted method exists for in vivo longitudinal...Full Text Available
PurposeTo establish normative values for macular light sensitivity and to determine the intrasession fluctuation of perimetric responses using the OPKO/OTI microperimeter.Full Text Available
Objectives: To investigate optical coherence tomography consistency on foveal thickness, foveal volume, and macular volume measurements in patients with and without diffuse diabetic macular edema. Introduction: Optical coherence tomography represents an objective technique that provides cross-sectional tomographs of retinal structure in vivo. However, it is expected that poor fixation ability, as seen in diabetic macular edema, could alter its results. Several authors have discussed the reproducibility of optical coherence tomography, but only a few have addressed the topic with respect to diabetic maculopathy. Methods: The study recruited diabetic patients without clinically evident retinopathy (control group) and with diffuse macular edema (case group). Only one eye of each patient was evaluated. Five consecutive fast macular scans were taken using Ocular ...
Purpose: To describe the clinical aspects and evaluate optical coherence tomography of macular microholes. Methods: Seven patients were assessed (8 eyes) with microholes of the macula. All patients underwent complete eye examination, fundus photography, fluorescent angiography and OCT-3 imaging. Results: Ages ranged from 26 to 69 years. Six patients were female (85.7%) and five of them had microhole in the right eye. The presenting symptom was decrease in visual acuity (71.3%) and central scotoma in (14.3%). Five eyes (71.4%) had no defects shown by fluorescent angiography. A defect in the outer retina was demonstrated in all eyes on optical coherence tomography. The lesions were nonprogressive. Conclusion: Macular microholes are small lamellar defects in the outer retina. The condition is nonprogressive, generally unilateral and compatible with good visual acuity. Fundus biomicroscopy associated with ...
PurposeTo characterize the morphology of outer retinal holes caused by solar maculopathy, using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). DesignThis study is an observational case series. MethodsThe SD-OCT findings of 3 patients (6 eyes) with chronic solar maculopathy are presented. ResultsSD-OCT demonstrates a characteristic appearance of partial-thickness hole(s) in the outer retina at the fovea. In 3 of 6 eyes, there is 1 hole directly beneath the umbo. In the remaining 3 eyes, there are multifocal holes spread across the fovea. Holes in more restricted layers, as had been previously reported with time-domain OCT, were not seen. In addition, advanced visualization of SD-OCT data demonstrates a hyperreflective ring around the outer retinal hole. ConclusionsSD-OCT can be used...
A simple and efficient method for characterization of multidimensional Gaussian states is suggested and experimentally demonstrated. Our scheme shows analogies with tomography of finite dimensional quantum states, with the covariance matrix playing the role of the density matrix and homodyne detection providing Stern-Gerlach-like projections. The major difference stems from a different character of relevant noises: while the statistics of Stern-Gerlach-like measurements is governed by binomial statistics, the detection of quadrature variances correspond to chi-square statistics. For Gaussian and near Gaussian states the suggested method provides, compared to standard tomography techniques, more stable and reliable reconstructions. In addition, by putting together reconstruction methods for Gaussian and arbitrary states, we obtain a tool to detect the non-Gaussian character of optical signals.
The developed system is intended for use at a collimated thermal neutron beam with a flux of about 10{sup 6} n/cm{sup 2} s. The system works with a cooled CCD array (192 x 165 pixels) and an intensifier for light from a NE426 scintillator with traditional optical coupling. A fine mechanical regulation system allows an accurate positioning of the tomographer, also ensuring the alignment of the CCD array with the rotation and translation axes. The acquisition of 200 projections is carried out in about 30 min with a reconstruction time (40 min max) depending on the reconstruction-matrix order. Radiography and tomography of significant objects are illustrated. The reconstruction algorithm, including spatial and temporal inhomogeneity corrections and filters, was tested with good results for projections up to 512 x 512 pixels. (orig.)
The developed system is intended for use at a collimated thermal neutron beam with a flux of about 10"6 n/cm"2 s. The system works with a cooled CCD array (192 x 165 pixels) and an intensifier for light from a NE426 scintillator with traditional optical coupling. A fine mechanical regulation system allows an accurate positioning of the tomographer, also ensuring the alignment of the CCD array with the rotation and translation axes. The acquisition of 200 projections is carried out in about 30 min with a reconstruction time (40 min max) depending on the reconstruction-matrix order. Radiography and tomography of significant objects are illustrated. The reconstruction algorithm, including spatial and temporal inhomogeneity corrections and filters, was tested with good results for projections up to 512 x 512 pixels. (orig.)
Ionizing radiation is a standard treatment for various human solid tumors. However, several clinical studies showed that a significant proportion of patients undergoing radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develop intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis. Understanding of radiation-induced cancer cell invasiveness and behavior is essential and of great important for developing suitable treatment strategies to contain cancer spread. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the effectiveness of using swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) to monitor the enhancement of HCC cell invasiveness by radiation. SS-OCT images were acquired and recorded to obtain three-dimensional data sets per four hours in 48 hours after irradiating HepG2 cells with 7.5 Gy. The cell migration behavior in three-dimensional tissue models was quantified from images of radiation-induced and sham-irradiated cells.
Both x-ray and optical cone-beam CT (CBCT) scanners are limited by scattered photons that contaminate the primary images. Transparent radiochromic gels and plastics are anticipated to produce less scattering than polymerization gels and hence result in reconstructed dose distributions with greater contrast and dynamic range. Four methods of scatter measurement were investigated to quantify scatter fractions using an in-house optical CBCT scanner. The methods consisted of generating either 'coin' shadows or primary beamlets in transmission images. The four methods generated similar results of 10% scatter fractions in gel transmission images for this particular scanner configuration with both leuco crystal violet and carbon black micelle gels. The scatter contributions were distributed as 5% from micelle gel, 2% from Teflon wall, 2% from refractive index matching liquid and 1% other sources. Applying a uniform background ...
Tridimensional localization of bone and soft tissue injuries in complex facial trauma is fundamental for treatment. The face can be conceptualized as 3 groups of interconnected osseous struts that are oriented in the horizontal, sagittal and coronal planes. Each group of struts is closely related to specific soft tissue structures that are susceptible to injury. Any single CT section in the coronal plane or in the axial plane contains parts of one or more these struts. Facial CT in biplane were performed in 32 patients of facial trauma. The most common site of facial fractures is found in middle part of horizontal struts, geometrically in anteromedial portion of the inferior orbital fissure of the face. The most common soft tissue injury combined with facial fracture is hematoma and/or herniated orbital contents into the maxillary sinus. The serious combined soft tissue injuries were ocular rupture, retroorbital hematoma and optic nerve injury resulting blindness. ...
A Real-Time Neutron Radiography (RTNR) system and a high speed X-ray Computed Tomography (X-CT) system are used to determine the flow regime, the instantaneous cross-sectional averaged void fraction, and the time averaged void fraction in a vertical annulus flow channel. A standard optical video system is also used to observe the flow regime. The annulus flow channel is operated as a bubble column and measurements are obtained for gas flow rates form 0.0 to 30.0 l/min. The flow regimes observed by all three measurement systems via image analysis shows that the results agree well with each other. Both the RTNR and the X-CT systems show that the time averaged and cross-sectional averaged void fraction increases with increasing superficial gas velocity. Time and cross-sectional averaged void fractions determined by the RTNR system agree within 4% with those determined by the high speed X-ray CT technique. (orig.).
A Real-Time Neutron Radiography (RTNR) system and a high speed X-ray Computed Tomography (X-CT) system are used to determine the flow regime, the instantaneous cross-sectional averaged void fraction, and the time averaged void fraction in a vertical annulus flow channel. A standard optical video system is also used to observe the flow regime. The annulus flow channel is operated as a bubble column and measurements are obtained for gas flow rates form 0.0 to 30.0 l/min. The flow regimes observed by all three measurement systems via image analysis shows that the results agree well with each other. Both the RTNR and the X-CT systems show that the time averaged and cross-sectional averaged void fraction increases with increasing superficial gas velocity. Time and cross-sectional averaged void fractions determined by the RTNR system agree within 4% with those determined by the high speed X-ray CT technique. (orig.).
A Real-Time Neutron Radiography (RTNR) system and a high speed X-ray Computed tomography (X-CT) system are compared for measurement of two-phase flow. Each system is used to determine the flow regime, and the void fraction distribution in a vertical annulus flow channel. A standard optical video system is also used to observe the flow regime. The annulus flow channel is operated as a bubble column and measurements obtained for gas flow rates from 0.0 to 30.01/min. The flow regimes observed by all three measurement systems through image analysis shows that the two-dimensional void fraction distribution can be obtained. The X-CT system is shown to have a superior temporal resolution capable of resolving the void fraction distribution in an (r,{theta}) plane in 33.0 ms. Void fraction distribution for bubbly flow and slug flow is determined.
A Real-Time Neutron Radiography (RTNR) system and a high speed X-ray Computed tomography (X-CT) system are compared for measurement of two-phase flow. Each system is used to determine the flow regime, and the void fraction distribution in a vertical annulus flow channel. A standard optical video system is also used to observe the flow regime. The annulus flow channel is operated as a bubble column and measurements obtained for gas flow rates from 0.0 to 30.01/min. The flow regimes observed by all three measurement systems through image analysis shows that the two-dimensional void fraction distribution can be obtained. The X-CT system is shown to have a superior temporal resolution capable of resolving the void fraction distribution in an (r,#theta#) plane in 33.0 ms. Void fraction distribution for bubbly flow and slug flow is determined.
PurposeTo evaluate pathologic features of the photoreceptors in myopic foveoschisis with the Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT).DesignObservational case series.MethodsSeventeen eyes of 15 patients with myopic foveoschisis (foveal detachment type, six eyes; foveoschisis type, 11 eyes) were included. We observed the photoreceptor inner and outer segments (IS/OS) and evaluated the morphologic status using FD-OCT. Fundus photographs and time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) images also were obtained.ResultsIS/OS defects, which are uncommon in retinal detachments in eyes with myopia, were seen clearly in five eyes (three eyes [50%] with the foveal detachment type; two eyes [18%] with the foveal schisis type). Fundus photographs showed myopic chorioretinal atrophy in eight study eyes (47%),...
... In 1982 an acousto-optic spectrum analyzer incorporated ... the OPTIMP is the optically controlled optical ... switch that changes the intensity reflectance ...
The somatically significant dose index can be considered as a measure for the somatic radiation risk to which the population is exposed. Figures are stated for conventional tomography of the skull and thorax. These are compared with the corresponding data for other x-ray examinations, especially computerised tomography. PMID:7134769
The somatically significant dose index can be considered as a measure for the somatic radiation risk to which the population is exposed. Figures are stated for conventional tomography of the skull and thorax. These are compared with the corresponding data for other X-ray examinations, especially computerised tomography.
The somatically significant dose index can be considered as a measure for the somatic radiation risk to which the population is exposed. Figures are stated for conventional tomography of the skull and thorax. These are compared with the corresponding data for other X-ray examinations, especially computerised tomography. (orig.).
The construction of networks consisting of optically interconnected processing units is a promising way to scale up quantum information processing systems. To store quantum information, single trapped atoms are among the most proven candidates. By placing them in high finesse optical resonators, a bidirectional information exchange between the atoms and photons becomes possible with, in principle, unit efficiency. Such an interface between stationary and ying qubits constitutes a possible node of a future quantum network. The results presented in this thesis demonstrate the prospects of a quantum interface consisting of a single atom trapped within the mode of a high-finesse optical cavity. In a two-step process, we distribute entanglement between the stored atom and two subsequently emitted single photons. The long atom trapping times achieved in the system together with the high photon collection efficiency of the cavity ...
A specific application of single photon emission tomography to the relative quantitation of the pituitary region is described together with the results obtained in 19 patients with pituitary adenoma...Full Text Available
138 unselected head tomographies of children by computer are reported and analysed. The major aspect stressed by the authors is the excellent precision of this radiological technique.
The retinal degeneration 10 (rd10) mouse is a well-characterized model of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which carries a spontaneous mutation in the ? subunit of rod cGMP-phosphodiesterase (PDE?). Rd10 mouse exhibits photoreceptor dysfunction and rapid rod photoreceptor degeneration followed by cone degeneration and remodeling of the inner retina. Here, we evaluate whether gene replacement using the fast-acting tyrosine-capsid mutant AAV8 (Y733F) can provide long-term therapy in this model. AAV8 (Y733F)-smCBA-PDE? was subretinally delivered to postnatal day 14 (P14) rd10 mice in one eye only. Six months after injection, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), electroretinogram (ERG), optomotor behavior tests, and immunohistochemistry showed tha...
Neutron Coded Aperture Imaging is a nondestructive imaging technique that utilizes neutrons scattered from an object through specially designed apertures. Coded Aperture Imaging is an alternative technique to Computed Tomography for three-dimensional imaging. Coded Aperture Imaging has the advantage that all of the three-dimensional information is contained in a single image, whereas Computed Tomography requires several images or projections. This technique has been implemented by other using photographic film as an image recording medium and optical reconstruction or decoding of the images. In this work, the possibility of using a real-time neutron video camera to record the images, followed by digital decoding methodology has been investigated. Because only a small fraction of the neutrons incident on the object are scattered to the neutron camera, a new neutron beamport facility, with a larger neutron flux (7.3 x 10[sup ...
... the application of an acousto- optical tunable filter ... Couplers for Large Switch-Array Applications ... Symmetric Integrated Optic X Junction," Electronics ...
In 15 children (in age 2 weeks - 15 years) the computer tomography beside radiological examination was done because of mediastinal diseases. In all cases the computer tomography was valuable. In 4 cases obtained results have changed diagnostic conclusions. The examples are described showing the usefulness of the computer tomography as supplementary diagnostic method in mediastinal diseases in children.
In a joint study conducted by the University Clinic of Radiology, Graz, and the Medical University Clinic, Innsbruck, the results of computer tomography examinations of the abdomen and pelvis in 23 cases of tumours in children are discussed. In children computer tomography resents special difficulties on account of the very poorly developed fatty layers between the organs and the increased incidence of movement artifacts. The importance of computer tomography for the diagnosis of abdominal and pelvic tumours is discussed.
A thermal neutron imaging facility for real-time neutron radiography and computed tomography has recently been developed and built at the University of Texas TRIGA reactor. Herein the authors present preliminary results of radiography and tomography test experiments. These preliminary results showed that the beam is of high quality and is suitable for radiography and tomography applications. A more detailed description of the facility is given elsewhere.
A thermal neutron imaging facility for real-time neutron radiography and computed tomography has recently been developed and built at the University of Texas TRIGA reactor. Herein the authors present preliminary results of radiography and tomography test experiments. These preliminary results showed that the beam is of high quality and is suitable for radiography and tomography applications. A more detailed description of the facility is given elsewhere
This study examines the effects of intravenous infusion of adenosine and sublingual nitroglycerin on coronary angiograms obtained by current-generation multidetector computed tomography. We assessed...Full Text Available
Background and objectives: Management of incidental renal artery and kidney abnormalities in patients undergoing computed tomography scans is a clinical challenge because their frequency in healthy...Full Text Available
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of volume-rendered helical computerized tomography (CT) angiography focusing tracheostomy tube and innominate artery for...Full Text Available
Dosimetric studies in 80 patients examined with the tomographic device 'Somatom' are reported. The gonad doses are compared to those of conventional radiographic techniques.
... The acousto-optic device have a 30 MHz 1 ... coherent systems including compact non-coherent optical ... a relatively simple phase switching approach. ...
Ultrasound tomography is an attractive imaging method for the detection of breast cancer. The complex anatomy of the breast with its different spatial scales and material property contrasts make accurate reconstructions very challenging. This paper proposes a hybrid approach whereby Travel-of-Flight and Diffraction Tomography are combined together to achieve high-resolution and high-accuracy sound-speed reconstructions. The method is validated with several numerical phantoms.
Computer tomography used in the diagnosis of tumours is described in the light of particularly great diagnostic difficulties in children. Computer tomography was applied in 12 cases. A high diagnostic value of this method was demonstrated, which makes possible a more accurate diagnosis of the position of the tumour, its size, and expanding tendency. The possibility of estimating healthy tissues and organs, and those with pathological changes on the basis of differences in their density with a detection threshold at 0.5% density difference facilitates not infrequently preoperative diagnosis raising the value of the method.
A method for elucidating complex abnormalities of CSF circulation by using a positive contrast medium (metrizamide) and computer tomography is described. The technique for the method, the results and their clinical significance is demonstrated. The value of this method is compared with traditional ventriculography and with computer tomography without the use of contrast medium. It is shown that the technique represents an important extension of the scope of computer tomography.
Multi-dimensional modelling of two-phase flow requires accurate constitutive relationships for interfacial parameters such as interfacial heat transfer, void fraction distribution, interfacial area, etc. However, existing diagnostic systems for measurement of two-phase flow parameters have difficulty measuring two or three-dimensional void distributions required for determination of interfacial parameters. In this work, a Real-Time Neutron Radiography (RTNR) system is developed for non-intrusive measurement of two-phase flow parameters in nuclear fuel channels at low thermal neutron fluxes (on the order of 10{sup 6}n/cm{sup 2}-s). This advanced radiation technique has the advantage of measuring two-phase flow in 3 1/2 dimensions (x,{integral}dy,t) where the 1/2 dimension refers to an integrated or averaged space dimension. Pipe flow channels, annulus flow channels, MAPLE-type nuclear fuel flow channels, and CANDU-type nuclear fuel flow channels are investigated. Measurements of flow ...
Multi-dimensional modelling of two-phase flow requires accurate constitutive relationships for interfacial parameters such as interfacial heat transfer, void fraction distribution, interfacial area, etc. However, existing diagnostic systems for measurement of two-phase flow parameters have difficulty measuring two or three-dimensional void distributions required for determination of interfacial parameters. In this work, a Real-Time Neutron Radiography (RTNR) system is developed for non-intrusive measurement of two-phase flow parameters in nuclear fuel channels at low thermal neutron fluxes (on the order of 10"6n/cm"2-s). This advanced radiation technique has the advantage of measuring two-phase flow in 3 1/2 dimensions (x,#integral#dy,t) where the 1/2 dimension refers to an integrated or averaged space dimension. Pipe flow channels, annulus flow channels, MAPLE-type nuclear fuel flow channels, and CANDU-type nuclear fuel flow channels are investigated. Measurements of flow regime, void ...
Network tomography aims at inferring internal network characteristics based on measurements at the edge of the network. In loss tomography, in particular, the characteristic of interest is the loss rate of individual links. There is a significant body of work dedicated to this problem using multicast and/or unicast end-to-end probes. Independently, recent advances in network coding have shown that there are several advantages from allowing intermediate nodes to process and combine, in addition to just forward, packets. In this paper, we pose the problem of loss tomography in networks that have network coding capabilities. We design a framework for estimating link loss rates, which leverages network coding capabilities and we show that it improves several aspects of tomography, including the identifiability of links, the tradeoff between estimation accuracy and bandwidth efficiency, and the complexity of ...
... Biomedical Engineering Optical and Photonic Materials and Devices Fundamental Optical Interactions ... of Texas Medical School OPTICAL AND PHOTONIC MATERIALS AND DEVICES Gary Bjorklund, IBM, Chair Nan ...
Medical imaging using single gamma-ray-emitting radionuclides typically makes use of parallel hole collimators or pinholes in order to achieve good spatial resolution. However, a tradeoff in sensitivity is inherent in the use of a collimator, and modern preclinical single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) systems detect a very small fraction of emitted gamma rays, often less than 0.1%. A system for small animal SPECT imaging which uses no collimators could potentially achieve very high sensitivity-several tens of percent-with reasonably sized detectors. This would allow two significant improvements in preclinical studies: images could be obtained more rapidly, allowing higher throughput for screening applications, or for dynamic processes to be observed with very good time resolution; and images could be obtained with less radioactive tracer, making possible the in vivo imaging of low-capacity receptor systems, aiding research into new tracer compounds, ...
There is significant interest in using computed tomography (CT) for in vivo imaging applications in mouse models of disease. Most commercially available mouse x-ray CT scanners utilize a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector coupled via fibre optic taper to a phosphor screen. However, there has been little research to determine if this is the optimum detector for the specific task of in vivo mouse imaging. To investigate this issue, we have evaluated four detectors, including an amorphous selenium (a-Se) detector, an amorphous silicon (a-Si) detector with a gadolinium oxysulphide (GOS) screen, a CCD with a 3:1 fibre taper and a GOS screen, and a CCD with a 2:1 fibre taper and both GOS and thallium-doped caesium iodide (CsI:Tl) screens. The detectors were evaluated by measuring the modulation transfer function (MTF), noise power spectrum (NPS), detective quantum efficiency (DQE), stability over multiple exposures, and noise in reconstructed CT ...
... Title : Optical Images Due to Lenses and Mirrors. ... Abstract : The properties of real and virtual images formed by lenses and mirrors are reviewed. ...
An integrated mirrorless bistable optical device based on the Mach-Zehnder interferometric optical switch has been proposed and demonstrated experimentally using a Ti:LiNbO3 waveguide. The resulting device is capable of combining more than two of them to realize multifunctional optical devices such as optical multivibrators.
The ultimate compressive strength of 36 thoracolumbar vertebrae was determined experimentally. In addition, the trabecular bone mineral content was measured by single energy quantitative computed tomography. The areas of fractured endplates were also determined by computed tomography. The results show that a linear relationship exists between the compressive strength and the product of bone density and endplate area. These data allow an in vivo prediction of vertebral body strength using a noninvasive method with a standard error of estimate amounting to less than 0.95 kN. PMID:3212488
Computerized tomography of the adrenal glands was performed in 10 patients with Cushing's syndrome using a G.E. 8800 CT/T Body Scanner. The tomographic findings of unilateral adrenal masses in 4 patients were confirmed by surgery. In the remaining 6 patients, computerized tomography did not identify any masses, and both glands were well visualized and showed normal shape. In these patients, measurement of the adrenal glands revealed both normal (n=1) and enlarged glands (n=5). The findings of adrenalectomy (n=4) or transphenoidal surgery and follow-up (n=2) established the diagnosis of adrenal phyperplasia in all patients. (Author).
PurposeEarly detection of appendicitis has increased due to development of computed tomography and ultrasonography, yet we are frequently meeting complicated appendicitis, including...Full Text Available
A case of intrathoracic lipoma in a child is presented. The diagnosis was made before operation by means of computer-assisted tomography, a non-interventional procedure.
The authors assess the role of Computed Topography in the diagnosis and management of multiple myeloma (MM) and investigate if Computed Tomography findings can influence the clinical approach, prognosis and treatment. 273 multiple myeloma patients submitted to Computed Tomography June 1994, to December, 1996. The patients were 143 men and 130 women (mean age: 65 years): 143 were stage I, 38 stage II and 92 stage III according to Durie and Salomon's clinical classification. All patients were submitted to blood tests, spinal radiography and Computed Tomography, the latter with serial 5-mm scans on several vertebral bodies. Computed Tomography despicted vertebral arch and process involvement in 3 cases with the vertebral pedicle sign. Moreover, Computed Tomography proved superior to radiography in showing the spread of myelomatous masses into the soft tissues in a case with solitary ...
An optical voltage reference for providing an alternative to a battery source. The optical reference apparatus provides a temperature stable, high precision, isolated voltage reference through the use of optical isolation techniques to eliminate current and impedance coupling errors. Pulse rate frequency modulation is employed to eliminate errors in the optical transmission link while phase-lock feedback is employed to stabilize the frequency to voltage transfer function.
Fiber optic metrology developed at the CEA LIST laboratories involves fiber Bragg grating sensors, distributed Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry and optically stimulated luminescence dosimetry. Recent activities in optical fiber sensing are reviewed from laboratory experiments to field trials.
Papers are presented in the areas of: Medical Technologies; Non-Destructive Evaluation; Applications of Signal/Image Processing; Laser Guide Star and Adaptive Optics; Computational Electromagnetic, Acoustics and Optics; Micro-Impulse Radar Processing; Optical Applications; TANGO Space Shuttle.
The continuing rapid increase in available computing power has not reduced the importance of efficient methods of optical system assessment for automatic lens design. On the contrary, the new capabilities simply show that truly automatic optical design wi...
An optical flow gradient algorithm was applied to spontaneously forming networks of neurons and glia in culture imaged by fluorescence optical microscopy in order to map functional calcium signaling...Full Text Available
Upon illumination of an optically driven Q-switch 35 over conventional electro- optic, acousto-optic and medium located inside the laser cavity with an ...
During formation of the optic projection in astray/robo2 mutant zebrafish, optic axons exhibit rostro-caudal pathfinding errors, ectopic midline crossing and...Full Text Available
... electronic feedback system' connected to a Q switch ... The use of acousto-optic (AO) beam steering devices for BMDO (SDI) applications is very ...
An analysis is made of the basic principles and methods of construction of integrated optical circuits (IOC) for data processing, which are optical waveguide processors in the integrated form. A classification is provided of IOC in accordance with the nature of the input connections to optical components and in accordance with their intended function. An analysis is made of the current status of research and development of analog IOC for handling analog and digital signals, IOC for computing technology, and switching IOC. A detailed analysis is made of IOC with different functions in data processing: spectrum analyzers and correlators, analog-digital converters, circuits for identification of data sets and for encoding of signals, threshold and multistable circuits, logic and arithmetic units, and switching arrays. Descriptions are given of IOC for optically controlled data handling: bistable purely ...
There is a requirement for a noninvasive technique to monitor stem cell differentiation. Several candidates based on optical spectroscopy are discussed in this review: Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)...Full Text Available
... switching off all the pixels causes all the spectrum lines to disappear (top of Figure 6), next, that switching off one ... Acousto-optic spectrum analyser ...
The optical and nonlinear optical properties of colloidal solutions of silver obtained by laser ablation in water and ethanol are studied. It is shown that freshly prepared colloids experience a full or partial sedimentation by changing their nonlinear optical properties. Aqueous colloids undergo a partial sedimentation and their nonlinear optical absorption changes to nonlinear optical transmission. The obtained results are interpreted using the Drude model for metal particles taking the particle size into account and can be explained by the sedimentation of larger silver particles accompanied by the formation of a stable colloid containing silver nanoparticles with a tentatively silver oxide shell. The characteristic size of particles forming such a stable colloid is determined and its optical nonlinearity is estimated.
... A technique of the prior art uses an acousto-optic Q-switch which can ... Another approach uses electro-optic Q-switches in a pseudo cavity dumping ...
It is reported on examination-technical possibilities with craniocerebral Computer Tomography in the peri- and postnatal period. Some typical tomographic images from a 17 1/2 months period in our own patient material of 327 children are demonstrated. The special advantages of this new technical-extensive method are: exact diagnoses, observation possibility of the longitudinal section, and the absolute harmlessness to the child.
The article explains the method of selecting the optimum energy for correcting the energy selectivity of tomographic projection and the optimum length of the crystals corresponding to it when the dual energy method in computerized tomography is used. Results of numerical calculations for actual materials and count results are presented.
We retrospectively studied the computed tomography scans of the orbit in 75 patients in order to identify the presence of incidental calcifications (scleral and trochlear apparatus calcifications.). These imaging findings should integrate the vast list of differential diagnosis of orbital calcifications, as they may help radiologists to distinguish these calcifications from orbital foreign bodies. (author)
In this article, the author presents the main technological solutions, available or in development, on X-ray detectors in order to obtain a digital image in biomedical radiography or in industrial radiography: linear x-ray detectors and bidimensional x-ray detectors (memory radioluminescent screens, matrix plan detectors).
Impact of apparatus dead time on the accuracy of measurement of radial distribution of the radiation attenuation factor in the roentgen computer tomography for rotation bodies is studied. Analytical expressions are obtained. Calculations of the threshold loads for radiometric detectors, providing for the accuracy of measurement at the stage of designing the tomographic complex detecting unit, are obtained
The radiologic appearance of inflammatory and tumorous lesions in the iliac bone is characterized by destructive alterations and consolidations simultaneously. This pattern is nonspecific. The value of plain films of this area is compromised by the anatomy of the iliac bone and by overlying structures. Therefore tomography, computer tomography and bone scans are necessary. Difficulties in differentiation between benign and malignant lesions are discussed and case reports are given. The importance of histologic examination is stressed.
In this study the development of a methodology to detect illicit drugs and plastic explosives is described with the objective of being applied in the realm of public security. For this end, non-destructive assay with neutrons was used and the technique applied was the real time neutron radiography together with computerized tomography. The system is endowed with automatic responses based upon the application of an artificial intelligence technique. In previous tests using real samples, the system proved capable of identifying 97% of the inspected materials.
The experiences are described of the examination of orbita in children using computer tomography (CT). Over a period of four years 42 examinations were performed of children in the age ranging between 7 months and 15 years, i.e., 2.7 percent of all CT examinations performed. The highest diagnostic yield was in orbita tumours. The possibilities of CT are demonstrated on examples.
Computed tomographic findings in developmental brain anomalies are more easily classified when the system used is based on embryogenesis related to morphology. Analysis of computed tomographic findings in a series of 154 patients with brain anomalies (Chiari malformation not included) revealed that specific examples of abnormalities occurring in major stages of brain development may be recognized by computed tomography. This paper deals with a group of patients with abnormalities that reflect a disturbance in neuronal migration. (orig.).
Several recently introduced 'new' techniques in computed tomography - iterative reconstruction, gated cardiac CT, multiple-source, and dual-energy CT - actually date back to the early days of CT. We review the historic origins and evolution of these techniques, which may provide some insight into the latest innovations in commercial CT systems. (orig.)
Compton scatter tomography utilizes the electronic collimation characteristics available through the Compton scattering angle-energy correlation to obtain tomographic images. In this work we present particular aspects of the technique, which are relevant to the inverse radiation transport problem of reducing marginal projection data to radial two-phase flow regime maps. The results indicate a viable technique for the tomographic imaging of tow-phase flow using practical source strengths and reasonably few detectors.
In the case where sources and receivers are not distributed on a 2-D plane, seismic tomography inversion was studied. In tomography experiments, the existing wells are generally used. In such case, sources and receivers are frequently not distributed on a 2-D plane. The 2.5-D analysis method including 2-D structure and 3-D ray-tracing was thus developed. This method is featured by less memory necessary for ray-tracing calculation, and the same algorithm for velocity determination as 2-D analysis method. In previous methods, since analysis is generally carried out by projecting sources and receivers on a certain assumed 2-D plane, it can derive correct results in the case of constant velocity and straight ray, however, in the other case, it derives incorrect results. Application of 3-D tomography requires a large amount of memory, and falls into poor convergence because of various parameters. The 2.5-D analysis method can ...
Described herein is an optical probe (120) for use in characterizing surface defects in wafers, such as semiconductor wafers. The optical probe (120) detects laser light reflected from the surface (124) of the wafer (106) within various ranges of angles. Characteristics of defects in the surface (124) of the wafer (106) are determined based on the amount of reflected laser light detected in each of the ranges of angles. Additionally, a wafer characterization system (100) is described that includes the described optical probe (120).
This book examines the nonlinear optical properties of laser materials. The physical radiation effects on laser materials are also considered. Topics considered include: nonlinear optical properties; nonlinear and harmonic generation materials; two-photon absorption; nonlinear refractive index; stimulated Raman scattering; radiation damage; crystals; and glasses.
The present conference on lens design encompasses physical and geometrical optics, diffractive optics, the optimization of optical design, software packages, ray tracing, the use of artificial intelligence, the achromatization of materials, zoom optics, microoptics and GRIN lenses, and IR lens design. Specific issues addressed include diffraction-performance calculations in lens design, the optimization of the optical transfer function, a rank-down method for automatic lens design, applications of quadric surfaces, the correction of aberrations by using HOEs in UV and visible imaging systems, and an all-refractive telescope for intersatellite communications. Also addressed are automation techniques for optics manufacturing, all-reflective phased-array imaging telescopes, the thermal aberration analysis of a Nd:YAG laser, the analysis of illumination systems, ...
The authors compared unenhanced and contrast-enhanced fast MRI and Computerized Tomography in the detection of liver metastases. Eleven patients with single or multiple hepatic lesions (42 in all) were submitted to V and magnetic resonance studies; T1- and T2- weighted TSE, T2-weighted TSE with fat suppression, unenhanced breath-hold TFE and early or delayed enhanced breath-hold TFE images were acquired with a 1.5 T superconductive magnet (Philips NT). The quantitative analysis of all magnetic resonance images was performed for contrast/noise ratio (CNR) and number of detected lesions; magnetic resonance and Computerized Tomography images were also compared qualitatively for lesion conspicuity, anatomical structure identification and artifacts. The results were compared with Student's test. Early enhanced breath-hold TFE was statistically superior to T1-weighted TSE (p = .0009), T2-weighted TSE (p = .01) and Computerized ...
In this study, a miniature fiber-optic radiation detector has been developed using a water-equivalent organic scintillator for electron beam therapy dosimetry. Usually, two kinds of light signals such as fluorescent and Cherenkov lights are generated in a fiber-optic radiation detector when a high-energy electron beam is irradiated. The fluorescent light signal is produced in the scintillator and is transmitted through a plastic optical fiber to a remote light-measuring device such as a PMT or a photodiode. The Cherenkov light could be also produced in the plastic optical fiber itself and be detected by a light-measuring device. Therefore, it could cause problems or limit the accuracy of the detection of a fluorescent light signal that is proportional to dose. The objectives of this study are to measure, characterize and eliminate Cherenkov light generated in a plastic optical fiber ...
We propose a scheme of quantum computation with nonlinear quantum optics. Polarization states of photons are used for qubits. Photons with different frequencies represent different qubits. Single qubit rotation operation is implemented through optical elements like the Faraday polarization rotator. Photons are separated into different optical paths, or merged into a single optical path using dichromatic mirrors. The controlled-NOT gate between two qubits is implemented by the proper combination of parametric up and down conversions. This scheme has the following features: (1) No auxiliary qubits are required in the controlled-NOT gate operation; (2) No measurement is required in the course of the computation; (3) It is resource efficient and conceptually simple.
Because of limitation on neutron-incident data, it is difficult to obtain global optical model potential for neutrons. In contrast, there are some global optical model potentials for proton in detail. It is interesting to convert the proton-incident global optical potentials into neutron-incident ones. In this study we introduce (N-Z)/A dependent symmetry potential terms into the global proton-incident optical potentials, and then obtain neutron-incident ones. The neutron potentials reproduce total cross sections in an acceptable degree. However, a comparison with potentials proposed by other authors brings about a confused situation in the sign of the symmetry terms. (author).
It has been predicted for several years that light is focused (optically guided) as well as amplified by the electron beam in a free electron laser (FEL). The degree of focusing depends strongly on both electron beam and optical beam characteristics. In an FEL oscillator the degree of focusing varies with intracavity optical power during the macropulse. We report the first direct measurements of the evolution of transverse optical model size and shape between small signal and saturation in a short wavelength (Compton regime) FEL oscillator. The mode measurements on the Mark III FEL oscillator are shown to be consistent with theory, requiring both refractive and gain contributions to guiding. (orig.).
A fiber optic feedthrough module which comprises a metal sleeve, a fiber optic element extending through the sleeve in spaced relation thereto, and a tandem series of centrally-apertured mating annular sealant bodies of thermoplastic material surrounding the fiber optic element and compressed between it and the sleeve. The module is made by first providing a loose subassembly of a plurality of individual but interfitting sealant bodies on the fiber optic element and then inserting this subassembly into a metal sleeve, following by swaging the whole assembly which eliminates clearances and provides sealed interfaces between the various contacting components. (author).
The combination of functional and morphological imaging technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) has shown its value in the clinical and preclinical field. However, CT provides only very limited soft-tissue contrast and exposes the examined patient or laboratory animal to a high X-ray radiation dose. In comparison to CT, magnetic resonance tomography (MRI) provides excellent soft-tissue contrast and allows for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMRS) or functional MRI (fMRI). Thus, the combination of PET and MRI has been pursued for several years. First approaches have succeeded using conventional photo multiplier tube (PMT) technology together with light fibers to transfer scintillation light away from the high magnetic field. Latest...
The authors have evaluated bone mineral content in the vertebral spongiosa by means of Computed Tomography. The method proposed by Genant and Cann [17, 18] has been applied to examine 164 healthy volunteers and 108 patients. Both healthy males and females showed a progressive bone mineral loss increasing with age; the bone mineral loss was most severe in females during the 4th and 5th decade of life. Pathology included patients with osteoporotic fractures (vertebral and femural neck), patients with partial gastrectomy, renal failure, primary hyperparathyroidism, Cushing syndrome, corticosteroid therapy. Bone mineral values were significantly lower in most pathologic groups. Computed Tomography proves thus to be a valuable method to assess bone mineral content and to identify patients at risk for fractures.
Topographic and optical patterns have been fabricated in a-SiC films with a focused high-energy (1 MeV) H"+ and He"+ ion beam and examined with near-field techniques. The patterns have been characterized with atomic force microscopy and scanning near-field optical microscopy to reveal local topography and optical absorption changes as a result of the focused high-energy ion beam induced modification. Apart of a considerable thickness change (thinning tendency), which has been observed in the ion-irradiated areas, the near-field measurements confirm increases of optical absorption in these areas. Although the size of the fabricated optical patterns is in the micron-scale, the present development of the technique allows in principle writing optical patterns up to the nanoscale (several tens of nanometers). The observed values of the optical ...
The purpose of this study was to use high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging combined with image analysis to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) trabecular structure, anisotropy, and connectivity of human vertebral, femoral, and calcaneal specimens. The goal was to determine whether: (a) MR-derived measures depict known skeletal-site-specific differences in architecture and orientation of trabeculae; (b) 3D architectural parameters combined with bone mineral density (BMD) improve the prediction of the elastic modulus using a fabric tensor formulation; (c) MR-derived 3D architectural parameters combined with BMD improve the prediction of strength using a multiple regression model, and whether these results corresponded to the results obtained using higher resolution depictions of trabecular architecture. A total of 94 specimens (12 x 12 x 12 mm cubes) consisting of trabecular bone only were obtained, of which there were 7 from the calcaneus, 15 from distal femur, 47 from the ...
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of concha bullosa and nasal septal deviation and their potential relationships to maxillary sinusitis. 883 CT scans taken at Creighton University...Full Text Available
Advances in laboratory animal imaging have provided new resources for noninvasive biomedical research. Among these technologies is microcomputed tomography (microCT) which is widely used to obtain high...Full Text Available
With regard to the elastic wave exploration, discussions have been given on the relationship between frequency and resolution in P-wave velocity tomography using the initial travel time. The discussions were carried out by using a new analysis method which incorporates the concept of Fresnel volume into tomography analysis. The following two arrangements were used in the calculation: a cross hole arrangement, in which seismic source and vibration receiving points were arranged so as to surround the three directions of a region extending 250 m in the horizontal direction and 500 m in the vertical direction, and observation is performed between two wells, and a permeation VSP arrangement in which the seismic source is installed on the ground surface and receiving points installed in wells. Restructuring was performed on the velocity structure by using a total of 819 observation travel times. This method has derived results of the restructuring ...
BackgroundThe precision in carbon ion radiotherapy depends on the calibration of Hounsfield units (HU) as measured with computed tomography (CT) to water equivalence. This calibration...Full Text Available
ObjectiveTo refine the CT prediction of emphysema by comparing histology and CT for specific regions of lung. To incorporate both regional lung density measured by CT and cluster...Full Text Available
Scatter correction is crucial to the quality of reconstructed images in x-ray cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Most of existing scatter correction methods assume smooth scatter distributions. The...Full Text Available
BackgroundIn primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) the predictive value of technetium 99m sestamibi single emission computed tomography (Tc99m-MIBI-SPECT) for localizing pathological...Full Text Available
To determine the diagnostic accuracy of iofetamine hydrochloride I 123 (IMP) with single photon emission computed tomography in Alzheimer's disease, we studied 58 patients with AD and 15 age-matched healthy control subjects. We used a qualitative method to assess regional IMP uptake in the entire brain and to rate image data sets as normal or abnormal without knowledge of subjects'clinical classification. The sensitivity and specificity of IMP with single photon emission computed tomography in AD were 88% and 87%, respectively. In 15 patients with mild cognitive deficits (Blessed Dementia Scale score, less than or equal to 10), sensitivity was 80%. With the use of a semiquantitative measure of regional cortical IMP uptake, the parietal lobes were the most functionally impaired in AD and the most strongly associated with the patients' Blessed Dementia Scale scores. These results indicated that IMP with single photon ...
The purpose of this work is to develop a novel feature-based registration strategy to automatically map the rectal contours from planning computed tomography (CT) (pCT) to cone beam CT (CBCT). The rectal...Full Text Available
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVESNon-invasive longitudinal imaging of tumor vasculature could provide new insights into the development of solid tumors, facilitating efficient...Full Text Available
AIM: To improve the diagnosis of heterotopic pancreas by the use of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging and CT virtual endoscopy (CTVE).METHODS: A total of six patients with heterotopic...Full Text Available
Due to the widespread clinical use of imaging modalities such as ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), previously unsuspected liver masses are increasingly being...Full Text Available
The diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in several patterns of thoracic and abdominal fatty masses, has been examined. In selected cases our findings overlap the features of the recent literature. The possibility of surgical therapy in peculiar cases of adipose deposits, commonly esteemed benign, is considered.
The comprehensive survey explains the indications and the specific value of the modern tomographic modalities with respect to the various diagnostic issues. Numerous reproductions of CT, MRI, US scans illustrate the aspects discussed. (orig./CB)
We report an unusual patient with primary adenocarcinoma of lung causing malignant pleural and pericardial effusions. The diagnosis was made only at autopsy as his staging computed tomography scan of...Full Text Available
BackgroundIn vitro data suggest that changes in myocardial substrate metabolism may contribute to impaired myocardial function in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM)....Full Text Available
Purpose: Reverse helical cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a scanning configuration for potential applications in image-guided radiation therapy in which an accurate anatomic image...Full Text Available
The paper investigates computerized tomography capabilities in showing vascular complications secondary to intestinal obstruction and for assessing the site and cause of obstruction. [Italian] Scopo del lavoro e' lo studio dell'uso della tomografia computerizzata nel riconoscimento di complicanze vascolari secondarie ad occlusione intestinale e della presenza, della natura e della sede dell'ostacolo alla canalizzazione intestinale.
Computed tomography allows today to reconstruct three-dimensional (eD) images fram axial scans. The authors report their experience in cranio-facial pathology achived in two Departments of Radiology (University of Trieste, Italy and University of Standford, California). 3D images have been realized using two different softwares, one of which allows to reconstruct both soft tissue and bone structures. The application in maxillo-facial traumas, cranio-facial malformations and head tumours are disscussed. 3D images turned out to be very useful for the optimal visualization and for the spatial demostration of the lesion and have potential applications in cranio-facial surgery and radiotherapy.
Snapping or grating scapula is a condition of the shoulder girdle in which the patient complains of pain and an audible snapping sound which may be associated with pain. We evaluated the diagnostic value of the computed tomography (CT) scans using the clinical diagnosis of a grating scapula as the gold standard. This retrospective study reports the sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio and receiver operator characteristic curve for the CT scans and the k value as a measure of the interobserver agreement. None of the parameters validated the examination. We therefore concluded that CT scans are inappropriate for differentiation between a grating scapula and a normally functioning shoulder except in cases where bony abnormalities are present. (orig.)
Twenty-seven patients with symptoms or clinical findings suggesting joint or bone disorders of the anterior chest wall (ACW) were evaluated by spiral CT with 3-dimensional (3-D) and multiplanar reconstructions. Preceding conventional ACW tomography was performed in 10 patients. ACW joint and bone changes were visualized more adequately by coronal 2-D reconstructions based on spiral CT than by conventional tomography. In addition, nonossified costal cartilages and soft tissue lesions were demonstrated. 3-D reconstructions sometimes added information, especially in patients with fracture and dislocation. (orig.).
Positron-emission tomography (PET) and PET/CT (computed tomography) are becoming increasingly important for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Clinically relevant changes can sometimes be seen on PET that are not seen on other imaging modalities. However, PET is not suitable for guiding biopsy as the images are not obtained in real-time. Therefore, our research group has begun developing a concept for PET/CT-guided interventional procedures. This paper presents the rationale for this concept, outlines our research plan, and includes an initial study to evaluate the relative sensitivity of CT and PET/CT in detecting suspicious lesions. (orig.)
Positron emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) performed with PET/CT cameras allow us to obtain concurrently information on the presence and degree of alterations of myocardial perfusion and metabolism and on coronary arteries calcification. Furthermore, by gated myocardial perfusion studies, PET may provide crucial information on regional coronary blood flow reserve and endothelial dysfunction. A number of recent papers provide some insight on the potential of PET/CT in cardiology and in the assessment of various cardiovascular diseases including various types of vasculitis and metabolic diseases.
Doses to the salivary glands, thyroid gland, breast, lung, stomach and colon during mass radiological gastric screening, mass radiographic chest screening, upper gastrointestinal series and computed tomography were determined by exposing a female human phantom to simulated radiological X-ray examinations as performed in community hospitals. The doses were measured using thermoluminescent dosemeters, and the results will be used to document organ doses received by participants in the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission/Radiation Effects Research Foundation Adult Health Study. (Author).
Doses to the salivary glands, thyroid gland, breast, lung, stomach and colon during mass radiological gastric screening, mass radiographic chest screening, upper gastrointestinal series and computed tomography were determined by exposing a female human phantom to simulated radiological X-ray examinations as performed in community hospitals. The doses were measured using thermoluminescent dosemeters, and the results will be used to document organ doses received by participants in the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission/Radiation Effects Research Foundation Adult Health Study. (Author).
A thermal neutron imaging facility for real-time neutron radiography and computed tomography has been developed at the University of Texas reactor. The facility produced good-quality radiographs and two-dimensional tomograms. Further developments have been recently accomplished. A computer software has been developed to automate and expedite the data acquisition and reconstruction processes. Volume tomographic visualization using Interactive Data Language (IDL) software has been demonstrated and will be further developed. Volume tomography provides the additional flexibility of producing slices of the object using software and thus avoids redoing the measurements.
Thirty-seven patients with histologic proof of cholangiocarcinoma at the confluence were examined by computed tomography (CT) to determine whether this examination is of value in the assessment of these patients for surgery and whether there are any features specific to this type of tumor. Thirty-two patients showed intrahepatic duct dilatation; six of these showed dilatation of ducts in one lobe only. Eighteen patients had intrahepatic low-attenuation areas, while eight had a mass lesion in the porta hepatis. The results of this study show that CT provides useful anatomic information preoperatively but that the appearances are nonspecific. Lobar atrophy is highly suggestive of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, either of long-standing or with unilateral portal venous involvement.
In order to evaluate the role of Computed Tomography (CT) in prediction of nature, staging and follow-up of soft-tessue tumors, the authors examined by CT 124 patients with soft tissue neoplasms who later underwent surgery (116 cases) or fine needle biopsy (8 cases). Comparison between CT and surgical or anatomical results showed that CT was able to correctly predict the benignancy or malignancy of the masses in 76% of cases but it was very seldom able to allow an hystological prediction. On the contrary CT was found to be a very useful tool for pre-therapeutic staging and follow-up of the tumors, because it gave many diagnostic information which influenced therapeutic choiches and strategies.
Computed tomography (CT) has already proved extremely effective both in cerebral and abdominal pathology. Several recent publications describing first heterogeneous series [1, 2, 7, 11-17], then studies of a single type of lesion [3-6, 8] have illustrated its usefulness in the study of bone lesions. This report deals with 41 cases of Ewing's sarcoma studied by CT at the Institut Gustave Roussy from October 1977 to July 1981, and tries to show both the limitations and indications of this technique for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of Ewing's sarcoma as well as in the diagnosis of any eventual recurrence. (orig.).
In order to stress the role of computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of benign spinal osteoblastoma, the authors examined by CT 10 patients with surgically and histologically proved osteoblastomas of the spine. Basing on surgical and histopathological findings CT proved to be a very important method for attesting the presence of the tumors (usually showed by radiographic examination), and specially for their staging and follow-up. CT in fact showed the real extent of the tumor into the spinal canal and towards the paraspinal soft tissues, and allowed the aerly detection of post surgical relapses. The authors conclude that CT is a primary diagnostic modality for preoperative planning and follow-up of benign osteoblastoma.
Recently the real-time neutron radiography system of the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR) has been developed and practically applied to penetrating the side plates of the MTR type reactor fuels and investigation of moving objects. In this paper an application of the KUR neutron TV system to neutron computed tomography (NCT) is described. By using the NTV system, projection data can be acquired in a single measurement and simultaneously the projection image can be observed on a CRT monitor. The Fourier-convolution technique is used to produce the reconstructed image and its image has a good enough quality for revealing water in a small hole of 1.5 mm in diameter. (orig.).
Recently the real-time neutron radiography system of the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR) has been developed and practically applied to penetrating the side plates of the MTR type reactor fuels and investigation of moving objects. In this paper an application of the KUR neutron TV system to neutron computed tomography (NCT) is described. By using the NTV system, projection data can be acquired in a single measurement and simultaneously the projection image can be observed on a CRT monitor. The Fourier-convolution technique is used to produce the reconstructed image and its image has a good enough quality for revealing water in a small hole of 1.5 mm in diameter.
Recently the real-time neutron radiography system of the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR) has been developed and practically applied to penetrating the side plates of the MTR type reactor fuels and investigation of moving objects. In this paper an application of the KUR neutron TV system to neutron computed tomography (NCT) is described. By using the NTV system, projection data can be acquired in a single measurement and simultaneously the projection image can be observed on a CRT monitor. The Fourier-convolution technique is used to produce the reconstructed image and its image has a good enough quality for revealing water in a small hole of 1.5 mm in diameter. (orig.).
The possibility of radio galaxies being random sample of otherwise normal elliptical galaxies is tested. Starting with the observed optical luminosity functions for elliptical galaxies, it is shown that the probability of an elliptical forming a radio source is a continuous, increasing function of optical luminosity, precisely proportional to square of the optical luminosity of the galaxy. Once the probability function is fixed, the luminosity function of normal elliptical galaxies is used as input for Monte Carlo simulations that reproduce the distribution of radio galaxies in the radio-optical luminosity plane. Our results show that radio galaxies are luminosity biased, but otherwise random sample of elliptical galaxies. This unified view of radio and non-radio ellipticals also explains the well known difference of 0.5 mag in average optical luminosity between FRI and FRII radio ...
The optically stimulated luminescent (OSL) radiation dosimeter technically surveys a wide dynamic measurement range and a high sensitivity. Optical fiber dosimeters provide capability for remote monitoring of the radiation in the locations which are difficult-to-access and hazardous. In addition, optical fiber dosimeters are immune to electrical and radio-frequency interference. In this paper, a novel remote optical fiber radiation dosimeter is described. The optical fiber dosimeter takes advantage of the charge trapping materials CaS:Ce, Sm that exhibit OSL. The measuring range of the dosimeter is from 0.1 to 100 Gy. The equipment is relatively simple and small in size, and has low power consumption. This device is suitable for measuring the space radiation dose and also can be used in high radiation dose condition and other dangerous radiation occasions. (authors)
Large optical surveys provide an unprecedented census of galaxies in the local Universe, forming an invaluable framework into which more detailed studies of objects can be placed. But how useful are optical surveys for understanding the co-evolution of black holes and galaxies, given their limited wavelength coverage, selection criteria, and depth? In this conference paper I present work-in-progress comparing optical and mid-IR diagnostics of three "unusual" low redshift populations (luminous Seyferts, dusty Balmer-strong AGN, ULIRGs) with a set of ordinary star-forming galaxies from the SDSS. I address the questions: How well do the mid-infrared and optical diagnostics of star formation and AGN strength agree? To what extent do optical surveys allow us to include extreme, dusty, morphologically disturbed galaxies in our "complete" census of black hole-galaxy co-evolution?
Background: High-resolution computed tomography is the image procedure of choice in the evaluation of interstitial lung disease. Multidetector-row computed tomography provides the possibility of simultaneous reconstruction of thin and thick slices from the same raw data, acquired from one single series. Thus, it may be tempting to exclude the step-and-shoot series. Purpose: To compare high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT step-and-shoot) from single-slice CT (SSCT) and 16-channel multidetector CT (MDCT) in terms of visibility and motion artifacts, and to investigate whether thin images reconstructed from helical MDCT are equal to or better than conventional HRCT by SSCT in terms of visibility and motion artifacts. Material and Methods: 20 patients underwent HRCT step-and-shoot by SSCT (SSCT step-and-shoot) and MDCT (MDCT step-and-shoot), and a helical MDCT acquisition (MDCT helical). Images from four anatomical levels ...
PurposeA time-course analysis of gene regulation in the adult rat retina after intraorbital nerve crush (IONC) and intraorbital nerve transection (IONT).MethodsRNA...Full Text Available
In a new approach to medical computer based education (CBE) students at several U.S. and Canadian health professions schools have been using an optical videodisc under computer control to study basic...Full Text Available
Rare Earth Cobalt (REC) permanent magnets have unique properties that permit solutions to some optical tasks that cannot be accomplished with conventional magnets. A review of design and of performance characteristics of these magnets includes an analytical description of the three dimensional fringe fields of REC quadrupoles.
Optical absorptance spectra of A-15 compounds were taken using a calorimetric technique in the range 0.2 eV to 4.0 eV. Thermomodulation spectra were taken on several A-15 sputtered films.
Optical absorptance spectra of A-15 compounds were taken using a calorimetric technique in the range 0.2 eV to 4.0 eV. Thermomodulation spectra were taken on several A-15 sputtered films.
Although ultrasound arrays were exploited in photoacoustic imaging to improve imaging speed, ultrasound-array-based optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) has never been achieved...Full Text Available
Optical coherence microscopy (OCM) is a promising technique or high resolution cellular imaging in human tissues. An OCM system for high-speed en face cellular resolution imaging...Full Text Available
The utility of a two-photon optical fiber fluorescence probe (TPOFF) for sensing and quantifying tumor fluorescent signals was tested in vivo. Xenograft tumors were developed in athymic mice using MCA207...Full Text Available
The issue of beam-induced damage on diffractive hard X-ray optics is addressed. For this purpose a systematic study on the radiation damage induced by a high-power X-ray beam is carried out in both...Full Text Available
An optical klystron is built in the 800 MeV electron storage ring at University of Science and Technology of China for harmonic super-radiation generation. In single bunch operation mode the repetition rate of the spontaneous radiation pulses is about 4.533 MHz, and the repetition rate of the seed laser pulses is about 3 Hz, while the radiation pulse duration is 300 ps. For measuring harmonic radiation a high on/off ratio ICCD is used as an optical switch to reject spontaneous radiation pulses of high repetition rate
Recently, organic semiconducting materials have gained a broad interest due to their potential for organic electronic devices such as organic light emitting diode (OLED), organic photovoltaic devices and organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). Optical properties of organic semiconducting materials are important for practical application. For example, the power conversion efficiency of organic photovoltaic devices is mainly affected by absorption properties of organic materials. Proton irradiation is one of the efficient methods to change the optical properties of organic materials. In this paper, we investigate the changes of optical properties of various polymers using the proton irradiation.
... is the sensor that converts incoming photons into a ... with CCD foundries to acquire such a sensor. ... 2007, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 44, 910 ...
... concentrated on the construction of switches using fiber ... been chosen for a switch realized in ... of these techniques using acousto-optic modulators or ...
A monolithic micromachined waveguide device or devices with low-loss, high-power handling, and near-optical frequency ranges is set forth. The waveguide and integrated devices are capable of transmitting near-optical frequencies due to optical-quality sidewall roughness. The device or devices are fabricated in parallel, may be mass produced using a LIGA manufacturing process, and may include a passive component such as a diplexer and/or an active capping layer capable of particularized signal processing of the waveforms propagated by the waveguide.
Using a sensitive optical wavelength modulation technique the surface-plasmon excited on a gold grating surface immersed in sulfuric acid is studied at the same time as cyclic voltammetry is undertaken. Because of the optical sensitivity of the modulation technique significant optical effects are observed at potentials well below those at which any gross oxidation effects occur.
High purity MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} spinel specimens irradiated in FFTF-MOTA to very high exposure have been examined by three techniques to determine changes in their optical properties. Significant changes were observed in optical absorption, photoluminescence and radioluminescence.
A method for bistable storage of binary optical information includes an antiferroelectric (AFE) lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) layer having a stable antiferroelectric first phase and a ferroelectric (FE) second phase obtained by applying a switching electric field across the surface of the device. Optical information is stored by illuminating selected portions of the layer to photoactivate an FE to AFE transition in those portions. Erasure of the stored information is obtained by reapplying the switching field.
Recently there has been growth, in interest in non-equilibrium interaction of half-period long optical pulses with matter. To date the optical pulses have been produced by chopping out a half-period long segment from a longer pulse using a semiconductor switch driven by a femtosecond laser. In this paper we present new methods for producing tunable ultra-short optical pulses as short as half an optical period using a free-electron laser driven by electron bunches with a duration a fraction of an optical period. Two different methods relying on the production of coherent spontaneous emission will be described. In the first method we show that when a train of ultra-short optical pulses as short as one half period. We present calculations which show that the small signal gain is unimportant in the early stages of radiation build up in the cavity when the startup ...
We propose a scheme able to generate stationary continuous variable entanglement between an optical and a microwave cavity mode by means of their common interaction with a micro-mechanical resonator. We show that when both cavities are intensely driven one can generate bipartite entanglement between any pair of the tripartite system, and that, due to entanglement sharing, optical-microwave entanglement is efficiently generated at the expense of microwave-mechanical and opto-mechanical entanglement.
A new dual focal point electro-optic lens that is switchable to focusing and unfocusing is proposed and successfully demonstrated. This electro-optic lens is constructed by coating transparent fine electrodes in the Fresnel-zone plate onto a PLZT ceramic plate. Its focal length changes from 1.25 m to infinity binary at 515 nm with the external voltage of 210 V. PMID:20725208
Digital optical processing (DOP) was conceived to encompass the advantages of both electronic and optical processors, which are parallelism, flexibility, and high accuracy. The authors discuss the concept of parallelism, how it applies to DOP differently than to electronic parallel processing, and other potential advantages in using DOP. A PLZT memory device is described which can perform a series of logic or memory operations. From several of these PLZT devices a DOP is constructed to illustrate some of its programmability features.
In this paper, we report an optical fiber sensor for measuring temperature based on bimetallic concept. The sensor is designed by following the basic principle of Fabry-Perot interferometer and theoretical detail of the sensor has been outlined here with a numerical study. An important feature of the proposed sensor is that the fabrication will be done on a commercial multimode optical fiber. The Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based fabrication process could be performed directly on a multimode optical fiber end face which will eliminate the need for adhesive in packaging. The sensor could be fabricated as sensor arrays for micro level applications. The potential application of the proposed optical sensor includes biomedical applications, nano research, microfluidics, and other ME...
Plasma polymerization of aniline is carried out in a radiofrequency plasma reactor and the effect of polymerization time is examined in the structural, optical and optoelectronic properties of deposited films. Conjugated structures of polyaniline like films are obtained with unique and broad optical absorption band in the ultraviolet and entire visible region. The width of the absorption band increases and hence the optical band gap decreases with polymerization time. The optical constants are extracted by Swanepoel method and the optical dispersion parameters are determined by employing the Wemple-DiDomenico single oscillator model. The films exhibit similar thermal stability in air and argon atmosphere in the region of interest for optoelectronic applications. The photoluminescence study...
A previous analysis aimed at underlining the importance of the relativistic electron beam quality for the performances of a Free Electron Laser (FEL) is continued in the paper by the study of the influence of the undulator field (wiggler) parameters and of the optical beam (and/or optical cavity) quality on the operation of a FEL. The importance of parameters such as K, #lambda#_u, g of the undulator, F, P_L, #nu#_c of the optical beam, and L, L_o_p_t and L_c_r of the optical cavity for the characteristics of the input radiation as P_o_u_t, G_o_p_t, and #eta# are analyzed and some relations between these parameters that will give the possibility to estimate the corresponding values are given. Some proposal for the design of a compact FEL in IR-spectral region, with #lambda# #approx# 230 #mu#m are given. (Author).
Until recently, the wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) transmission system has reached record capacities and distances due to innovations such as FEC (Forward Error Correction), distributed Raman amplification, new transmission fiber and advanced optical format. Optical-communication systems exclusively employed conventional On-Off Keying signals in either Non-Return-To-Zero (NRZ) or Return-To-Zero (RZ) format. Recently a number of advanced modulation formats have attracted attention. Some of these formats carry information through On-Off-Keying but also modulate the optical phase in order to enhance the robustness of signal to chromatic dispersion, optical filtering and non-linearities. Through extensive sets of simulation results, we showed that it is possible to replace a channel wit...
As the jump from 2D to 3D, seismic exploration lives a new revolution with the use of converted PS waves. Indeed PS converted waves are proving their potential as a tool for imaging through gas; lithology discrimination; structural confirmation; and more. Nevertheless, processing converted shear data and in particular determining accurate P and S velocity models for depth imaging of these data is still a challenging problem, especially when the subsurface is anisotropic. To solve this velocity model determination problem we propose to use reflection travel time tomography. In a first step, we derive a new approximation of the exact phase velocity equation of the SV wave in anisotropic (TI) media. This new approximation is valid for non-weak anisotropy and is mathematically simpler to handle than the exact equation. Then, starting from an isotropic reflection tomography tool developed at Lt-'P, we extend the isotropic bending ray ...
An International Workshop on Metrology for X-ray and Neutron Optics has been held March 16-17, 2000, at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, near Chicago, Illinois (USA). The workshop gathered engineers and scientists from both the U.S. and around the world to evaluate metrology instrumentation and methods used to characterize surface figure and finish for long grazing incidence optics used in beamlines at synchrotrons radiation sources. This two-day workshop was motivated by the rapid evolution in the performance of x-ray and neutron sources along with requirements in optics figure and finish. More specifically, the performance of future light sources, such as free-electron laser (FEL)-based x-ray sources, is being pushed to new limits in term of both brilliance and coherence. As a consequence, tolerances on surface figure and finish of the next generation of optics are expected to ...
We review the recent development of bendable x-ray optics used for focusing of beams of soft and hard x-rays at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) x-ray free electron laser (FEL) at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) National Accelerator Laboratory. For simultaneous focusing in the tangential and sagittal directions, two elliptically cylindrical reflecting elements, a Kirkpatrick-Baez (KB) pair, are used. Because fabrication of elliptical surfaces is complicated, the cost of directly fabricated tangential elliptical cylinders is often prohibitive. Moreover, such optics cannot be easily readjusted for use in multiple, different experimental arrangements, e.g. at different focal distances. This is in contrast to flat optics that are simpler to manufacture and easier to measure by conventional interferometry. The tangential figure of ...
Cancer is a severe threat to human health. Early detection is considered the best way to increase the chance for survival. While the traditional cancer detection method, biopsy, is invasive, noninvasive optical diagnostic techniques are revolutionizing the way that cancer is diagnosed. Reflectance spectroscopy is one of these optical spectroscopy techniques showing promise as a diagnostic tool for pre-cancer detection. When a neoplasia occurs in tissue, morphologic and biochemical changes happen in the tissue, which in turn results in the change of optical properties and reflectance spectroscopy. Therefore, a pre-cancer can be detected by extracting optical properties from reflectance spectroscopy. This dissertation described the construction of a fiberoptic based reflectance system and the development of a series of modeling studies. This research is aimed at establishing an improved understanding of ...
The combination of functional and morphological imaging technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) has shown its value in the clinical and preclinical field. However, CT provides only very limited soft-tissue contrast and exposes the examined patient or laboratory animal to a high X-ray radiation dose. In comparison to CT, magnetic resonance tomography (MRI) provides excellent soft-tissue contrast and allows for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMRS) or functional MRI (fMRI). Thus, the combination of PET and MRI has been pursued for several years. First approaches have succeeded using conventional photo multiplier tube (PMT) technology together with light fibers to transfer scintillation light away from the high magnetic field. Latest PET/MRI developments use solid-state light detectors that can be operated even at high magnetic fields. Initial pilot studies with ...
Thirty-five patients with temporal bone fractures were examined; the fractures were sometimes associated with dislocation of the assicular chain caused by road fatalities. Computed Tomography (CT) was performed either because of the presence of clinical symptoms associated with trauma of the temporal bone, because of a hemotympanum discovered during a CT scan of the brain. Thirty-three fractures were detected: 19 longitudinal, 6 transverse, and 8 complex. An incudostapedial dislocation was also detected, together with a displacement of a stapedial prosthesis from the lenticular process of incus, and 3 incus-malleus dislocation associated with fractures. High resolution CT allows the precise definition of the course of the fractures, of the associated dislocation of the ossicular chain, and of facial nerve lesion, thus allowing a more accurate surgical intervention. In the examination of the temporal bone, high resolution CT is preferible to pluridirectional ...
In earliest works devoted to proton computed tomography it was shown that the advantage of pCT image reconstruction appears when the energy is close to the Bragg peak region, since the proton passes the object. This effect provided by the Bragg peak makes the computerized tomography with protons possible. However, when decreasing the initial proton energy, with the increase of the irradiation dose, there are two effects that work simultaneously in opposite ways. First, the energy loss of a proton in an object becomes bigger at small initial energy. At the same time decreasing of the proton energy results in the increase of the energy straggling, requiring a larger number of protons. In this work the radiation dose dependence on the proton initial energy was studied using analytical formulas and computer simulations. The investigation determined that the radiation dose practically does not depend on the initial energy, except in the energy ...
Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax shows early promise of important diagnostic advances. We believe that CT often provides information superior to that provided by standard roentgenographic techniques, is capable of significantly influencing patient management, and in selected instances, offers unique information not available by other methods. Computed tomography permits the imaging of mediastinal structures not possible with conventional roentgenographic methods and can diagnose with certainty benign mediastinal conditions such as pericardial cysts and focal or diffuse accumulations of fat. It is ideal for detecting pleural abnormalities and for displaying underlying parenchymal disease in patients with complex pleuroparenchymal shadows on conventional films. Pulmonary metastases unseen on the plain chest film can be detected with greater sensitivity than by any other method. Future applications of CT include the staging of mediastinal ...
Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax shows early promise of important diagnostic advances. We believe that CT often provides information superior to that provided by standard roentgenographic techniques, is capable of significantly influencing patient management, and in selected instances, offers unique information not available by other methods. Computed tomography permits the imaging of mediastinal structures not possible with conventional roentgenographic methods and can diagnose with certainty benign mediastinal conditions such as pericardial cysts and focal or diffuse accumulations of fat. It is ideal for detecting pleural abnormalities and for displaying underlying parenchymal disease in patients with complex pleuroparenchymal shadows on conventional films. Pulmonary metastases unseen on the plain chest film can be detected with greater sensitivity than by any other method. Future applications of CT include the staging of mediastinal ...
In less than a decade computed tomography (CT scanning) had a profound impact on diagnostic radiology. Radiology of the orbit is no exception. As early as 1973, reports published in the radiological literature indicated that this new noninvasive imaging method was a highly effective way of demonstrating intraorbital mass lesions. As CT scanners became widely available, computed tomography became a significant adjunct to ophthalmological diagnosis. Today the main indications for CT scanning of the orbit are: (1) suspected mass lesions, most frequently presenting as exophthalmos, (2) orbital trauma, including foreign bodies, (3) some congenital anomalies, and (4) suspicion of extension into the orbit of extraorbital disease processes. Along with ultrasonography, another new noninvasive imaging technique, CT has replaced a number of more invasive and often less effective diagnostic methods, such as orbital pneumography, venography, and ...
Computerized Tomography has gained an important role in the diagnosis of the complications of prosthetic surgery of the abdominal aorta: the importance of such complications come from their frequency, which is proportional to the increasing number of interventions, and their severity. The authors investigated the CT patterns of the most frequent complications. 24 patients referred for strongly suspected postoperative complications were examined in 2 years: fever and leukocytosis (20 cases) and progressive anemia (4 cases) were the most frequent findings. The operation had been performed 7#+-# 12 weeks before (2 patients were excluded because surgery dated less than 3 weeks. 14 patients had infective complications: thickening (57%) and inhomogeneity (43%) of the periprosthetic wrap and ectopic gas bubble (78%) were the most frequent Computerized Tomography findings. The authors also observed 2 periprosthetic hematomas, 1 aneurysm relapse and 1 ...
We present a novel preparation method for studies of in vitro reconstituted mitotic chromosomes from Xenopus laevis egg extracts. This method involves a gentle adsorption of chromosomes from the extracts using surface affinity enrichment, followed by plunge freezing, freeze-substitution and cryo-embedding before examination by EM tomography. For comparison, chromosomes were also prepared by a conventional method, which included immobilization of chromosomes in agarose and a room-temperature dehydration (embedding) protocol. Three-dimensional reconstructions showed that samples prepared with the new method have a greater interconnectivity of sub-structural features and a higher compaction ratio together with an apparently less perturbed chromatin structure than those prepared using the conventional approach. The implications of the new method for the preparation of other difficult samples and additional application possibilities are discussed.
The direct injection of steam into a water pool is a method of heat transfer used in many process industries. The amount of research in this area however is limited to the nuclear industry, with applications relating to reactor cooling systems. Electrical resistance tomography (ERT), a low cost, non-invasive and which has high temporal resolution characteristics, can be used as a visualization tool for the resistivity distribution for the steam injection into water pool such as IRWST. In this paper, three dimensional resistivity distribution of the process is obtained through ERT using iterative Gauss-Newton method. Numerical experiments are performed by assuming different resistive objects in the water pool. Numerical results show that ERT is successful in estimating the resistivity distribution for the injection of steam in the water pool
We have developed a method for the synthesis of C-11 iodoantipyrine. Carbon-11-labeled methyl iodide, prepared from /sup 11/CO2, was used to methylate 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one to form C-11 antipyrine. Following silica-gel column chromatography and iodination, radiochemical purity of the C-11 iodoantipyrine was more than 99.5%, with a 10% yield and a specific activity of 30 mCi/mumol. Preliminary animal studies showed complete cerebral extraction and local cerebral blood-flow values that were within 4.6% of those obtained using C-14 iodoantipyrine. The C-11 analog, with positron emission tomography, will facilitate local cerebral blood-flow studies in human subjects.
The diagnostic accuracy of sialography and ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of parotid masses is evaluated. Furthermore the role of computed tomography (CT) in this pathology is discussed. In the personal experience US proved to be the best method in the recognition of a parotid tumor while sialography was superior in defining the intra or extraparotid site. The two investigations showed the same accuracy in the definition of benign or malignant nature of the mass. Therefore we consider US the only investigation in most istances; sialography could be performed when the site of the lesion is uncertain or an inflammatory lesion is suspected. CT is never the first investigation; its use is limited to a low number of cases, mainly for the evaluation of large masses and when the association US-sialography does not allow a sure diagnosis.
Six patients with diskitis following lumbar disk surgery were investigated by Computed Tomography (CT). Four patients underwent CT in a rather early phase of the disease (5-37 days after the onset of the symptoms): a posterior paravertebral fluid collection was always recognized, while the plain film was normal. Later on (2-4 months), the classical signs of diskitis were evident, with both CT and the plain film. The collection was always present at CT. A reintervention, performed on 3 patients, revealed the purulent content of the collections. It seems reasonable to suggest a relationship between the collection and the subsequent diskitis; the collection is probably an early sign of the disease. Its detection is of grat value, because it could allow an immediate and adequate therapy. The authors stress the usefulness of performing CT in an early phase on this kind of symptomatic patients.
Study Type - Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To present our experience of retroperitoneoscopic partial adrenalectomy (RPA) for small adrenal tumours, as with modern imaging methods small adrenal lesions are being diagnosed more commonly, and retroperitoneoscopic adrenal surgery for small adrenal tumours (PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of 389 consecutive retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomies from September 2005 to December 2008, 88 of which were small adrenal tumours and treated by RPA. Ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) were used in all patients before RPA, and magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography/CT in some patients. We used RPA for adrenal tumours and total adrenalectomy for adrenal cancer. During the surgery...
A brief survey is presented of the methods of preparation and of the applications of radiopharmaceuticals labelled with short-lived positron radionuclides "1"1C, "1"8F, "1"3N and "1"5O which, thanks to their energy level schemes, short half-life and the 511 keV photon radiation energy are almost ideal tracers in modern nuclear medicine and pharmacology. In conjunction with computerized tomography, they represent one of the most sensitive diagnostic imaging methods, the so-called positron emission tomography. In addition, their incorporation in the molecule of a pharmaceutical does not change the biological and chemical properties of the original molecule unlike those of radiopharmaceuticals labelled with technetium, iodine, etc. (author). 125 refs.
A Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) method, simplifying the well-known technique proposed by Genant (1982) and applied to a standard third generation whole body CT scanner is described. This technique was applied in the measurement of the trabecular bone which has high sensitivity for metabolic changes. The BMC (Bone Mineral Content) measured in different groups of subjects (healthy postmenopausal patients versus women with postmenopausal osteoporosis) showed a highly significant difference (p<0.001). The precision of repositioning (coefficient of variation 1.8% to 2.3%, obtained in healty male patients) and the good, linear relationship computed from the phantom values, minimize measurement errors. Since this method is quickly applied and involves low-dose radiation-exposure, it could be introduced in the clinical study of metabolic bone diseases.
Positron emission tomography (PET) is the gold standard for non-invasive assessment of myocardial viability and allows accurate detection of coronary artery disease by assessment of myocardial perfusion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides high resolution anatomical images that allow accurate evaluation of ventricular structure and function together with detection of myocardial infarction. Potential hybrid PET/MR tomography may potentially facilitate the combination of information from these imaging modalities in cardiology. Furthermore, the combination of anatomical MRI images with the high sensitivity of PET for detecting molecular targets may extent the application of these modalities to the characterization of atherosclerotic plaques and to the evaluation of angiogenetic or stem cell therapies, for example. This article reviews studies using MRI and PET in parallel to compare their performance in cardiac applications together with the ...
The final product of the radwaste conditioning process must satisfy certain requirments and physico-chemical properties in order to assure its safe long-term behaviour. Of course, the foreseen quality assurance and quality control should be conducted by means of non-destructive techniques. This work presents an over-view of various applicable non-destructive methods of analysis, showing their fields of investigation in testing waste packages, together with some arising practical problems. The most promising methods, such as eddy current testing, ultrasonic testing, #gamma#-scanning, #gamma#-spectroscopy, neutron counting and computerized tomography, are treated more deeply and some applications are presented. Particular attention is devoted to the development of a device based on computerized tomography; its essential components are reported and some design problems are also discussed.
A thermal neutron imaging facility for real-time neutron radiography and computed tomography has recently been developed at the University of Texas TRIGA reactor. Extensive Monte Carlo design calculations were used to determine optimal design parameters of the neutron collimator system to avoid costly trial and error. Thermal neutron flux determined by gold foil activation is 5 {times} 10{sup 6} n/cm{sup 2}{center_dot}s at the primary imaging location with beam size of 22.5 cm in diameter. The collimation ratio can be varied from 125 to 235. The neutron-to-gamma ratio is 7.8 {times} 10{sup 6} n/cm{sup 2}{center_dot}mR. The facility has been tested for radiography and tomography applications and is now fully operational.
A neutron imaging system (NIS) has been recently installed at the University of Texas TRIGA reactor facility. The imaging system establishes new capabilities for beam diagnostics at the Texas Cold Neutron Source (TCNS) for real-time neutron radiography (RTNR) and for neutron computed tomography (NCT) research. The NIS will also be used for other research projects. The system consists of two subsystems as follows: (1) Thomson 9-in. neutron image intensifier (NII) tube sensitive to cold, thermal, and epithermal neutrons, (2) image-processing unit consisting of vidicon camera, two high-resolution monitors, image enhancement and measurement processor, and video printer. The NIS is installed at the cold neutron beam of the TCNS for testing and cold neutron beam diagnostics.
Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is associated with a dismal prognosis; however, curative resection may offer a chance of cure. Various factors should be considered in the surgical planning for curative resection. These factors include extent of bile duct involvement, relationship between portal vein and tumor involvement, diffuse hepato duodenal ligament infiltration, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, peritoneal seeding, and hepatic volume. Using high-quality volume data from multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) and adequate postprocessing images, radiologists can provide various types of information, imperative for curative resection of a hilar cholangiocarcinoma. This review illustrates the role of MDCT in the preoperative workup of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
Purpose We evaluated low-contrast injection protocols for coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) using a 64-detector scanner and the test bolus technique. Materials and methods We randomly assigned 60 patients undergoing coronary CTA to one of two contrast material (CM) injection protocols. For the lowcontrast dose protocol (Plow), the patients received injections of iohexol-350 [0.7 ml/kg body weight (BW)] during 9 s, and the test-bolus technique was used. Under the conventional protocol (Pconv), they received iohexol-350 (1.0 ml/kg BW) during 15 s, and bolus tracking was used. We compared the protocols for attenuation values in the ascending aorta and coronary arteries and for the amount of CM required. Results There was no significant difference in the mean CT attenuation of the...
Purpose Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has recently been adopted for complicated anatomical lung resections. During these thoracoscopic procedures, surgeons view the operative field on a two-dimensional (2-D) video monitor and cannot palpate the organ directly, thus frequently encountering anatomical difficulties. This study aimed to estimate the usefulness of preoperative three-dimensional (3-D) imaging of thoracic organs. Methods We compared the preoperative 64-row three-dimensional multidetector computed tomography (3DMDCT) findings of lung cancer-affected thoracic organs to the operative findings. Results In comparison to the operative findings, the branches of pulmonary arteries, veins, and bronchi were well defined in the 3D-MDCT images of 27 patients. Conclusion 3D-MDCT imag...
Herein we present an impact of diagnosis by enhanced multidetector-row computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC). Although the diagnosis against the longitudinal stromal extension and surrounding tissue invasion of ECC by multi detector row CT (MDCT) and MRI was very strict, we could not detect any superficial mucosal spread (SMS). Furthermore, the diagnosis of lymphnode metastasis by MDCT/MRI was miserable. We believe that misdiagnosis of SMS is permissible since positive mucosal but not stromal surgical margin was not a significant factor influencing the postoperative prognosis. However, further advances in imaging diagnosis for ECC is needed. (author)
A thermal neutron imaging facility for real-time neutron radiography and computed tomography has been developed at the University of Texas reactor. The facility produced a good-quality radiographs and two-dimensional tomograms. Further developments have been recently accomplished. Further developments have been recently accomplished. A computer software has been developed to automate and expedite the data acquisition and reconstruction processes. Volume tomographic visualization using Interactive Data Language (IDL) software has been demonstrated and will be further developed. Volume tomography provides the additional flexibility of producing slices of the object using software and thus avoids redoing the measurements.
Existing oil reservoirs might be more fully exploited if the properties of the flow of oil and water in porous media were better known. In laboratory experiments it is important to collect as much information as possible to make a descriptive model of the system, including position imaging and chemical binding information. This thesis develops nuclear methods for obtaining position image and chemical binding information from flow experiments of porous media. A combined positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography system to obtain position images, and a time-differential perturbed angular correlation system to obtain chemical binding information, have been built and thoroughly tested. 68 refs., 123 figs., 14 tabs.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cause of cancer death among Canadian non-smokers. Each year about 21,500 Canadians are diagnosed with CRC. Ninety percent of cases occur in people aged 50 years or older. An estimated 4,800 Canadian men and 4,100 Canadian women die each year from the disease. About 75% of all new CRC cases arise in people with no known risk factors. Computed tomography colonography (CTC), a cross-sectional imaging examination that permits complete structural examination of the colon, shows promise as a tool for CRC screening. This article reviews the rationale for CRC screening, currently recommended Canadian and American screening guidelines and screening tools, and current evidence supporting CTC as a CRC screening tool and its advantages over conventional screening methods. (author)
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cause of cancer death among Canadian non-smokers. Each year about 21,500 Canadians are diagnosed with CRC. Ninety percent of cases occur in people aged 50 years or older. An estimated 4,800 Canadian men and 4,100 Canadian women die each year from the disease. About 75% of all new CRC cases arise in people with no known risk factors. Computed tomography colonography (CTC), a cross-sectional imaging examination that permits complete structural examination of the colon, shows promise as a tool for CRC screening. This article reviews the rationale for CRC screening, currently recommended Canadian and American screening guidelines and screening tools, and current evidence supporting CTC as a CRC screening tool and its advantages over conventional screening methods. (author)
Computed Tomography (CT) of the spine was performed on 17 patients with myeloma in order to assess the role of the technique in recognizing and evaluating the extent of the lesions. Myelomatous lesions followed two patterns at CT: first of all, multiple focal lesions, whose density is either solid, liquid, or fatty; second, an extensive pattern involving the spongiosa of the vertebra, including the posterior arch. CT detected more lesions than conventional radiology; furthermore, the extent of the lesions was much better demonstrated by CT. CT should thus be performed: a) in case of pain and/or neurological findings in negative radiological examinations; b) to evaluate the extent of myelomatous lesions (mainly in the spine); c) in solitary myeloma CT may be performed on different bone segments with clinical symptomatology but normal X-ray findings.
Twenty-three patients with intracranial meningiomas were examined by means of magnetic resonance tomography (MRT). In 13 patients the paramagnetic contrast medium gadolinium DTPA was used. Meningiomas show only slight changes in signal intensity compared with brain in the spin-echo mode, the greatest contrast being found on photon density images (TR 1600 ms, TE 35 ms). In T1 images more than 50% of the patients showed a low signal margin between tumour and brain. Hyperostosis of the calvarium is easily recognised, but MRT is unreliable for showing tumour calcification. After intravenous injection of gadolinium DTPA, there was marked homogeneous uptake in the meningiomas. These signs are useful for the diagnosis of a meningioma by MRT. (orig.).
In 9 over 12 patients who underwent cardiac transplantation computed tomography was performed. In 5 of them CT was obtained also before the surgical treatment. In all patients angio-CT technique was performed, while the ECG-gated technique was employed only before surgery. CT shows changes in morphology of both atria but over all of the right one, and rotation of the heart on the longitudinal axis. The conditions of the pericardium are particulary well demonstrated: in 5 cases pericardial effusion was observed, 3 times localized and 2 times diffuse. Only in 1 patient a small thrombus in the right atrium was demonstrated. CT allows the possibility to obtain simultaneously information on mediastinum, lung and pleura. Pleural effusion, pulmonary infections and mediastinal complications are easily demonstrated.
Bone mineral content as determined by computerized tomography (CT) and mechanical strength on axial loading were compared in 36 cadaveric femur specimens. Based on the CT measurements of density and area, the mass of a transverse slice of the femur was estimated. Highly significant correlations were demonstrated between strength and cancellous bone density. Even higher correlations were revealed when the bone masses of the proximal and distal femoral areas were calculated. Based on these findings, an equal distribution of the effective mass of the femur was postulated. This hypothesis was confirmed in an experimental rotational model. The CT attenuation values were also correlated to direct measurements of bone mineral content, i.e. calcium. Moreover, the strength of different metal implants, commonly used in femoral neck fractures, were assessed in cadaver specimens. 134 refs., 13 figs., 12 tabs.
Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) is a new system of digital radiography that is based on the latest computer technologies. We applied this FCR system to the X-ray diagnosis of the laryngeal disease. Twenty patients with various laryngeal diseases were evaluated by both FCR frontal tomography and conventional screen-film frontal tomography under the same exposure condition. Both tomograms were then compared on the subject of the clarity of delineation of laryngeal structures. As the result, FCR tomograms revealed the feature of the laryngeal lumen and cartilages more clearly than conventional tomograms. In addition, energy subtraction method, which is one of FCR image processing systems, was presented as a new technical procedure to extinguish cervical spine shadows in plain anteroposterior laryngeal X-photograph. We stress that FCR system is the suitable procedure for X-ray analysis of laryngeal diseases, especially in the region related with ...
A prospective comparative study with pathology was performed to assess the clinical value of Computed Tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for nodal staging in lung cancer. A total of 329 nodal stations were dissected or sampled and 755 lymph nodes were examined at histology. On a pre-station basis, CT had greater sensitivity (74%) than EUS (56%), but EUS was more specific (83% versus 93%). The accuracy rates of the two techniques were similar. In conclusion, endoscopic ultrasound should be part of a routine preoperative diagnostic approach to non-small-cell lung cancer., because of its high specificity. Results can be improved when EUS and CT are combined., which suggests that these imaging modalities should be used together in selected patients for the noninvasive staging of non-small-cell lung cancer to identify local lymphatic spread.
Computed tomography (CT) has been incorporated in an industrial Diode-Array Digital Radiography (DADR) system. An input data size of 512 pixel points x 400 projections yielded a 400x400 output image matrix. Reconstruction algorithms used are the filtered backprojection (FBP) and the direct Fourier reconstruction (DFR). Various filters were used in the FBP reconstruction process and their effects on image quality were evaluated. A spatial resolution of 100 {mu}m was measured with a block of plates and a minimum detectable feature size in the range of 10-100 {mu}m was measured using thin wires. Industrial specimens imaged have included ceramic samples, ball bearings and integrated circuits. A number of engineering problems have been solved, such as adjustment of the X-ray source, centering of the rotator spindle in the view field and beam-hardening corrections. (orig.).
Instrumentation research to study the feasibility of using optical data processing techniques to solve real-time pattern recognition problems for high energy physics experiments is now in its second year. During the past year, a prototype optical processor for use in BNL Experiment 702 was conceived and designed, using test data from the experiment and simulating the optical processor in the computer. A number of technical studies have been made, mostly relating to the selection of the optical filter for the processor. Comparisons between natural and synthetic holograms, both bleached and unbleached, have been made. We conclude from these tests that the kinoform, a computer-generated phase hologram, is the optimal choice for this processor. A new method for producing the kinoform has been tried by this group with encouraging results. The optical design for the prototype processor is ...
ITN Energy Systems is developing next-generation solar cells based on the concepts of an optical rectenna. ITN's optical rectenna consists of two key elements: (1) an optical antenna to efficiently absorb the incident solar radiation, and (2) a high-frequency metal-insulator-metal (MIM) tunneling diode that rectifies the AC field across the antenna, providing DC power to an external load. The combination of a rectifying diode at the feedpoints of a receiving antenna is often referred to as a rectenna. Rectennas were originally proposed in the 1960s for power transmission by radio waves for remote powering of aircraft for surveillance or communications platforms. Conversion efficiencies greater than 85% have been demonstrated at radio frequencies (efficiency defined as DC power generated divided by RF power incident on the device). Later, concepts were proposed to extend the rectennas into the IR and ...
In this article we describe an optoelectronic sensor for assessing the level of light petrochemical products in technological tanks at the oil refineries. This sensor employs the multi-element vertical array of discrete micro- optical refractometric transducers. The transducers are made of silica glass and have the conical shape. In the air, each transducer operates as a tiny retro-reflector that optically couple together two multimode optical fibers. The optical coupling in the transducer is due to the internal reflection at the conical surface. The amount of the coupling depends on the refractive index of the surrounding media. In a fluid, the total internal reflection vanishes and the coupling becomes negligibly small. The number of immersed transducers is a measure of the fluid level in the reservoir. Because of the significance of the transducer transmission function, it is evaluated in detail ...
As a result of health and safety issues surrounding the use of radioactive materials on coated optical components, there has been renewed interest in coating materials whose optical and mechanical properties approach those offered by their radioactive counterparts. Due to the radioactive nature of ThF{sub 4} and its widespread use in optical coatings, the coating industry is examining other low index and non-radioactive fluorides as possible alternatives. In this paper, the authors present the results of an experimental study on the optical and mechanical properties of thermally evaporated ThF{sub 4}, DyF{sub 3}, CeF{sub 3}, LiF, HfF{sub 4}, IRX, and IRB thin films, where the materials were deposited at different substrate temperatures. The objective is to examine this series of fluorides under comparable deposition conditions and with respect to such material properties as: n and k, film stress, and ...
The PLANCK SURVEYOR is a European Space Agency satellite mission to image the very faint anisotropies in the temperature of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation. Maynooth is actively participating in an international collaboration of scientists involved with the optical design of the High Frequency Instrument (HFI). This paper outlines research which has been undertaken in Maynooth concerned with numerical modelling of the optical characteristics of the multi-frequency array of detectors making up the HFI instrument. In the study the commercial software package ZEMAX was used to model the coupling of the focal plane HFI detectors to the PLANCK telescope. This package is particularly useful in the optical design of PLANCK because of the powerful optimisation features of the software. It is thus possible to readily determine the optimum positioning of the detectors in the focal plane of the telescope. Although the ...
The survivability of the final optic, which must sit in the line of sight of high-energy neutrons and gamma rays, is a key issue for any laser-driven inertial fusion energy (IFE) concept. Previous work has concentrated on the use of reflective optics. Here, we introduce and analyze the use of a transmissive final optic for the IFE application. Our experimental work has been conducted at a range of doses and dose rates, including those comparable to the conditions at the IFE final optic. The experimental work, in conjunction with detailed analysis, suggests that a thin, fused silica Fresnel lens may be an attractive option when used at a wavelength of 351 nm. Our measurements and molecular dynamics simulations provide convincing evidence that the radiation damage, which leads to optical absorption, not only saturates but that a 'radiation annealing' effect is observed. A system-level ...
The optically stimulated luminescent (OSL) radiation dosimeter technically surveys a wide dynamic measurement range and a high sensitivity. Optical fiber dosimeters provide capability for remote monitoring of the radiation in the locations which are difficult-to-access and hazardous. In addition, optical fiber dosimeters are immune to electrical and radio-frequency interference. In this paper, a novel remote optical fiber radiation dosimeter is described. The optical fiber dosimeter takes advantage of the charge trapping materials CaS:Ce, Sm that exhibit OSL. The measuring range of the dosimeter is from 0.1 to 100 Gy. The equipment is relatively simple and small in size, and has low power consumption. This device is suitable for measuring the space radiation dose and also can be used in high radiation dose condition and other dangerous radiation occasions. Supported by National ...
In this work, the effects of the focus ion beam (FIB) milling process on the optical properties of semiconductor nanostructures were investigated. With this aim, a sensitive materials system based on InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots with well known and excellent optical properties was selected for the FIB treatment. The FIB technique was used to locally remove a metallic mask deposited on top of the quantum dot sample. The photoluminescence (PL) signal, collected from the circular openings, was used to infer the possible damage effects of the ion beam on the properties of the dots.
The optical pressure exerted o a thin film, which is locked in the evanescent field formed at the plane interface with a totally-reflected Gaussian beam, is investigated. Some calculations of the pressure on the film caused by the evanescent field are presented in the different conditions of film thickness, film position, incident angle and polarization of a gaussian beam. The results show that the pressure exertion on the thin film can change from pushing to pulling as the parameters are varied. In particular, we find that the direction of optical pressure can act oppositely at the different positions of the film surface in the evanescent field.
One of the major scientific and technological challenges for the production of flexible organic electronic devices is the device protection against atmospheric molecule permeation, which causes corrosion reducing its operation and lifetime. In this work, Spectroscopic Ellipsometry has been implemented to investigate the influence of silicon dioxide nanoparticles on the optical properties of hybrid polymers. The spectra analysis revealed valuable information about the electronic and vibrational response as well as the cross-linking mechanisms of these materials. The correlation of the optical properties with the synthesis parameters and the barrier response will contribute towards their optimization in order to be used as high barrier coatings for flexible organic electronics applications.
An improved acousto-optic laser Q-switch uses a chirped fm pulse in the acousto-optic cell to diffract and focus the input beam into a resonating high-Q mode. When the rf acoustic pulse is not wholly within the cell, the beam is diverted to the output. A reflective surface is placed on the cell to yield only one output beam and to yield a retroflective beam back into the cavity for a high Q condition whenever a correctly generated chirp acoustic wave is in the proper postion within the cell.
Individual laser cooled atoms are delivered on demand from a single atom magneto-optic trap to a high-finesse optical cavity using an atom conveyor. Strong coupling of the atom with the cavity field allows simultaneous cooling and detection of individual atoms for time scales exceeding 15 s. The single atom scatter rate is studied as a function of probe-cavity detuning and probe Rabi frequency, and the experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. We demonstrate the ability to manipulate the position of a single atom relative to the cavity mode with excellent control and reproducibility.
The subband structure and optical properties of a cylindrical quantum well wire under intense non-resonant laser field are investigated by taking into account the correct dressing effect for the confinement potential. The energy levels and wave functions are calculated within the effective mass- approximation using a finite element method. It is found that the absorption coefficient and the saturation intensity are strongly affected by the laser amplitude and frequency as well as by the incident light polarization. As a key result, a large anisotropy in the linear and nonlinear optical absorptions for very intense laser field is predicted. These effects can be useful for the design of polarization sensitive devices.
BackgroundVisual acuity, the ability of the visual system to distinguish two separate objects at a given angular distance, is influenced by the optical and neuronal properties of...Full Text Available
A method is described for determining the particulate contamination in miniature ball bearings in which the bearing is flushed with a solvent that is then filtered. The particles that are collected on the filter are examined by optical microscopy.
Polycrystalline ZnO doped with Mn (5 and 10at%) was prepared by the co-precipitation method. The effect of Mn doping on the photocatalytic, antibacterial activities and the influence of doping concentration on structural, optical properties of nanoparticles were studied. Structural and optical properties of the particles elucidated that the Mn2+ ions have substituted the Zn2+ ions without changing the Wurtzite structure of ZnO. The optical spectra showed a blue shift in the absorbance spectrum with increasing dopant concentration. The photocatalytic activities of ZnO powders were evaluated by measuring the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in water under the UV region. It was found that undoped ZnO bleaches MB much faster than manganese doped ZnO upon its exposure to the U...
The structural, electronic and optical properties of ZnX and CdX (X = Se, Te and S) are studied using density functional theory by the Wien2k package. The energy band gap, real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, energy loss function, optical absorption coefficient and reflectivity spectra of these compounds are calculated. The Engel-Vosko approach improves the energy band gaps of ZnX and CdX compounds. The calculated optical parameters are in good agreement with available experimental results, particularly in the Engel-Vosko approach. Furthermore the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the energy band gap, the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function of these compounds is studied. The first and second order pressure coefficient for the energy band gaps, the static dielectric function and the static reflectivity spectra are calculated.
A major goal in optomechanics is to observe and control quantum behavior in a system consisting of a mechanical resonator coupled to an optical cavity. Work towards this goal has focused on increasing the strength of the coupling between the mechanical and optical degrees of freedom; however, the form of this coupling is crucial in determining which phenomena can be observed in such a system. Here we demonstrate that avoided crossings in the spectrum of an optical cavity containing a flexible dielectric membrane allow us to realize several different forms of the optomechanical coupling. These include cavity detunings that are (to lowest order) linear, quadratic, or quartic in the membrane's displacement, and a cavity finesse that is linear in (or independent of) the membrane's displacement. All these couplings are realized in a single device with extremely low optical loss and can be tuned over a wide ...
The operating principle is examined for an optical sensor for the angle of rotation of the drag ODUP-1 developed and manufactured by the VNII-1. Basic technical data are presented for the experimental model.
The inverse problem of interpreting the SS 433 optical light curves is solved for a geometrically thick model accretion disk around the compact relativistic object: most likely a black hole.
drical Enclosures Using a Numerical Ray Tracing Technique. NASA. TM-I02527, 1990 . Buckley, H.: Radiation from the Interior of a Reflecting Cylinder. Philos. ...
... Secondly, the electrode- tissue interface may have ... stimulation of the optic nerve in a ... Ocular Electronic Vision Prosthesis, Australasian Ophthalmic ...
There is a mismatch between the documentation of the visually guided behaviors and visual physiology of decapods (Malacostraca, Crustacea) and knowledge about the neural architecture of their...Full Text Available
A new technique to monitor light diffraction patterns electrically is applied to frog semitendinosus muscle fibers at various levels of stretch. The intensity of the diffraction lines, sarcomere length...Full Text Available
In this work, we have investigated the capability of different bimetallic nanoparticle alloy combinations to be used in fibre optic temperature sensing based on the technique of surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The metals considered for the present analysis are silver, gold and aluminium. The analysis is derived mainly from the thermo-optic effect along with some fundamental concepts of metal optics such as surface scattering, phonon-electron scattering and electron-electron scattering. The performance of the sensor with three different bimetallic nanoparticle alloy combinations is evaluated and compared, numerically, in terms of its sensitivity and accuracy. On the basis of the comparison and some logistic criterion, we predict the best possible bimetallic alloy combination along with a requisite alloy composition ratio that simultaneously provides higher values of both sensitivity and accuracy which is not possible with ...
effect of central star evolution would be to produce a thinner boundary, but the results of ... indicate that central star evolution may be neglected when ...
and Watkins,. W.B.: Further. Development of the Dynamic. Gas Temperature. Measurement ...... Grover, ed.,. SPIE. Proc. Vol. 954, Society of Photo-Optical ...
INAA (instrumental neutron activation analysis) analyses have been made of subsamples of each OSL (Optically stimulated luminescence) sample, for dosimetry ...
Light Weight Composite Mirrors for Science Instruments. Composite Optics, Inc. San Diego, CA. INNOVATION. Light weight, large aperture reflectors of graphite ...
We investigate the possibility of implementing a given projection measurement using linear optics and arbitrarily fast feedforward based on the continuous detection of photons. In particular, we systematically derive the so-called Dolinar scheme that achieves the minimum-error discrimination of binary coherent states. Moreover, we show that the Dolinar-type approach can also be applied to projection measurements in the regime of photonic-qubit signals. Our results demonstrate that for implementing a projection measurement with linear optics, in principle, unit success probability may be approached even without the use of expensive entangled auxiliary states, as they are needed in all known (near-)deterministic linear-optics proposals.
Sep 3, 2010 ... These higher-quality deformable mirrors will enable diffraction-limited performance for many space-based optical systems such as space-based ...
Most surface-acoustic-wave and thin-film optical devices are made by the planar fabrication process. The exposure of the pattern in the polymer film is the first and most crucial step in ensuring desired device geometry, dimensional control, and freedom from pattern distortion. The methods of exposing the polymer film include: optical projection, conventional contact printing, conformable photomask contact printing, holographic recording, scanning electron beam lithography, projection electron lithography, and x-ray lithography. In this paper scanning electron beam lithography, conformable photomask contact printing, holographic recording, and x-ray lithography are discussed. In the last section, ion beam etching of relief structures is discussed.
on this technology has beenproposedas a payload on SpaceStation Freedom to be launched in the near future [1]. Direct detection 4-ary pulse position modula- ...
To investigate the characteristics of a reactor and a neutron generator, a small scintillation detector with an optical fiber with ThO_2 has been developed to measure fast neutrons. However, experimental facilities where "2"3"2Th can be used are limited by regulations, and S/N ratio is low because the background counts of this detector are increase by alpha decay of "2"3"2Th. The purpose of this study is to develop a new optical fiber detector for measuring fast neutrons that does not use nuclear material such as "2"3"2Th. From the measured and calculated results, the new optical fiber detector which uses ZnS(Ag) as a converter material together with a scintillator have the highest detection efficiency among several developed detectors. It is applied for the measurement of reaction rates generated from fast neutrons; furthermore, the absolute detection efficiency of this detector was obtained experimentally.
An innovative hybrid powder prepared using computer simulation allowed development of a new foundation having a fine, smooth texture that has never been achieved before. The optical structure/design of the powder was based on the results of measurements and analyses conducted on the optical characteristics of a baby's delicate skin, which is the envy of many women. To obtain the optimal optical characteristics, the finite differential time domain (FDTD) method for solving Maxwell's differential equation by difference and time domain was applied to the computer simulation method. For synthesis of the hybrid powder based on the optical model, a proprietary shape regulation coating technology was used in which flaky substrates were coated with microspherical forms of barium sulfate crystals. ...
switch when this cavity matching condition is determined. This results is a ... MHz offset is provided by an acousto-optic modulator. (AOM). The AOM will be shut ...
Cambridge scientists in the late 1980's. This same team, then headed by Professor John Baldwin, built the world's first separated-element optical/infrared aperture synthesis...
... Mineral and Organic Matter in the Coastal and Near-Coastal Ocean. ... Personal Author(s) : Stavn, Robert H. ; Spiering, Bruce A. ; Gould, Richard W ...
... reliability of fiber optics in preference over space-based systems. ... STC web site at www.aiaa.org/tc ... and improve lethalities of US weapon systems 3 ...
Dy doped #alpha#-SiAlON ceramics prepared by the hot-pressing method show a high optical transmittance value, >70%, in the infrared region of 1.5-4.5 #mu#m. First principles calculations have been carried out to reveal the underlying transparency mechanism. It is found that the valence shell of doped Dy atoms interacts strongly with the doping states of #alpha#-SiAlON, resulting in the increase in the optical gap from 0.4 to 1.1 eV, which suppresses the photoabsorption in the wavelength region longer than 1.0 #mu#m and leads to the good transparency property. The calculated optical transmission spectra are in good agreement with the corresponding experiments.
Ruthenium(II) and Iridium(III) polypyridyl complexes have been intensively investigated due to their use in energy conversion and light-emitting devices and materials for non-linear optics. Quantum mechanical computer simulations of molecules and materials have become increasingly popular in the scientific community. Along with experimental investigations, such computational analyses can provide complementary information on the electronic and optical properties of transition metal compounds of interest for optoelectronic applications. Here, we provide a unified review of recent work carried out on computational investigations of a large series of Ruthenium(II) and Iridium(III) polypyridyl complexes, discussing the relations between their electronic structure and optical properties and thei...
From the COMBO-17 digital sky survey data, 1,231 faint blue galaxies with photometric redshifts of 0.1optical data and by using both optical and near-infrared data. The results indicate that there are 183 galaxies whose photometric redshifts derived from both optical and infrared data are greater than 1.2, that the rms error of the derived photometric redshifts is 0.046, and that to increase the photometric SNR is also helpful for discriminating those misjudged low-redshift galaxies by using only the optical data. We have studied a...
OBJECTIVES: To assess the suitability of analyzing functional images of brain serotonin (5-HT) synthesis with statistical parametric mapping (SPM), and to investigate further possible sex-related regional...Full Text Available
A review is made of the various brain imaging agents utilised in the post few years with their own characters and respective advantages: cerebral blood volume tracers, non diffusible tracers, diffusible tracers among which gases and lipophilic agents. Our results with IAMP and SPECT are presented in two different clinical application fields: normal pressure hydrocephalus and cerebral ischemia.
A review is made of the various brain imaging agents utilised in the post few years with their own characters and respective advantages: cerebral blood volume tracers, non diffusible tracers, diffusible tracers among which gases and lipophilic agents. Our results with IAMP and SPECT are presented in two different clinical application fields: normal pressure hydrocephalus and cerebral ischemia.
Scintigraphic imaging of dementia relies today essentially on the study of brain Single Photo Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) perfusion, after intravenous injection of 99mTc radio-pharmaceutic. This paper is based on the guidelines published in October 2001 by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (http://eanm.org/). (author)
70 patients with squamouscell carcinoma of larynx and hypopharynx were examined by computed tomography; the TNM staging of tumors by CT, by endoscopy and by surgical operation was reviewed. CT proved to be reliable both to recognize the presence of neoplasms, with the exception of those very superficial, and their deep spreading to preepiglottic and paralaryngeal spaces, to the soft tissues of the neck and to the cartilages. Therefore CT is the examination of choice in laryngeal neoplasms staging, because it precisely completes the clinical and endoscopical informations.
Cardiac tumours may display diverse symptoms through potential involvement of any structure of the heart. We describe a case of a highly malignant thymoma with involvement of different cardiac structures with important haemodynamic compromise. With the high sensitivity of transthoracic echocardiography for detection of intracardiac masses, computed tomography and magnetic resonance add essential structural preoperative information on the tumour and surrounding tissue as vessels, pleura, lung and mediastinum.
In developing new receptor-site specific brain imaging agents labeled with I-123 for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), an analog of raclopride, 3-["1"2"5I]-iodo-N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)-methyl]-2-hydroxy-6-me-thoxy benzamide (IBZM), was prepared using a method similar to that reported for raclopride and its derivatives. (author).
Positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were performed on a case of neuro-Behcet's syndrome. In accordance with the clinical signs, FDG PET (using /sup 18/F-labeled 2-F-2'-desoxyglucose) revealed disseminated storage defects in the cerebrum and cerebellum. Focal regions of enhanced signal intensity were demonstrated in the parietal white matter of the cerebrum in T2-weighted images and in the brain stem by MRI. (orig.).
To optimize the emergency care of patients with multiple injuries, a special emergency room with integrated radiological equipment has been developed. It consists of a linear array of a computed tomography system, a mobile C-arm with an integrated scattered radiation grid for conventional films and a C-arm fluorographic system. The intent is to avoid delay caused by transport and repositioning of the patient. It enables all necessary diagnostic procedures to be performed within a minimal amount of time. (orig./MG).
A thermal neutron imaging facility for computed tomography and real-time neutron radiography is being developed at the University of Texas at Austin. The TRIGA reactor is a graphite-reflected Mark It pool-type research reactor. The neutron imaging facility will use beam port, which is at one end of a through part. Monte Carlo calculations were used to design the neutron collimator for this facility.
Distribution of Lipiodol within hepatic tumor was evaluated using serial computed tomography. Imagistic Lipiodol transition into the tumor via hepatic artery was slower than that of water soluble contrast medium, spreading to central part first and turn to peripheral part of the tumor. This method was thought to be useful to clarify Lipiodol distribution in hepatic tumor and to decide the method or necessity of additional trans-arterial therapy. (author).
A possibility of short-lived isotopes production in inter-tank section between the first and the second drift tube tanks (20.45 MeV) in INR linac is considered. At the initial stage the main efforts are concentrated on production of fluorine-18 used for positron emission tomography. The results of beam forming calculations, target heating calculations, equipment activation calculations as well as installation configuration and design are presented.
Out of one hundred cases of the urinary bladder abnormalities examined by this method, CT staging and pathological correlations were investigated in 61 cases of the urinary bladder neoplasms. Accuracy of CT staging was 87% in this series with possible exception of 6 cases involving the bladder base and dome. CT scan using this method is the most reliable procedure to determine the treatment modalities of the urinary bladder tumors.
As a self-teaching tool, this illustrated guide facilitates home study of the complexities of thoracic CT's. Over 400 illustrations and accompanying copy are used to provide a basis for understanding the CT appearances of disease processes and a comparison of CT lookalikes. It updates new and interesting developments in the format of case presentations.
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is an uncommon tumor as primary hepatic neoplasm. Five cases of cholangiocarcinoma, mass forming peripheral type, are reported about its CT findings. They were manifested as a poorly marginated low density mass with a irregular stellate area. In one case, a cut section of the gross specimen following surgery showed a central callagenous scar and vessels within the necrotic tumor. (author).
A 21-year-old male patient was transferred to the emergency room of our hospital after suffering seat belt abdominal injury in a traffic accident. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a massive hematoma...Full Text Available
Helical tomotherapy presented many unique dosimetric challenges and solutions during the initial commissioning process, and some of them are presented. The dose calculation algorithm is convolution/superposition based. This requires that the energy fluence spectrum and magnitude be quantified. The methodology for doing so is described. Aspects of the energy fluence characterization that are unique to tomotherapy are highlighted. Many beam characteristics can be measured automatically by an included megavoltage computed tomography imaging system. This greatly improves data collection efficiency.
Computed tomography was performed on 5 patients with chronic cerebral paragonimiasis. CT showed solitary or multiple, amorphous, round, or oval calcifications, and ventricular enlargement in all 5 cases. A large low-density area is also found in 4 of the 5 cases. These CT findings are compatible with previously reported findings of simple X-ray films of the skull, pneumoencephalography, and pathological studies. (author).
Primary peritoneal malignant mixed mullerian tumors are very rare. We report the case of a patient presenting with pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and in whom the physical examination demonstrated a peritoneal mass. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed the presence of a mass, with invasion of adjacent organs.
The authors present an unusual case of a patient with orbital metastases from renal carcinoma involving the extra ocular muscles bilaterally. The importance of computed tomography for the differential diagnosis with other orbital lesions is emphasized. (author)
An exhaustive compendium of normal and abnormal imaging is presented. The following systems and procedures are illustrated by over 2800 captioned illustrations: liver, spleen, and hepatobiliary imaging; perfusion and ventilation lung imaging; thyroid imaging; salivary gland imaging; bone imaging; brain imaging; radionuclide cisternography; blood flow studies; gallium imaging; nuclear cardiology; and renal imaging. Not included in the atlas are adrenal imaging procedures and emission computed tomography. (ERB)
A new optics providing an emittance close to the minimum theoretical value has been proposed for the Super-ACO storage ring with a reduced value of the momentum compaction factor and non-zero dispersive function in the Free-Electron Laser (FEL) section. It has been adapted to the FEL operation mode, with two RF cavities at 100 and 500 MHz. The obtained results concerning this new optics and the FEL oscillation are presented.
Correlations of the Woods-Saxon four-parameter optical potential of scattering of 38 MeV #alpha# particles on sup(68)Zn have been analyzed. A search for discrete sets of potential parameters and functional ratios between different parameters is carried out.
Refractive indices of some mixed compound semiconductors below the bandgap are presented on the basis of some fundamental parameters and the effect of lattice mismatch on the refractive index step is also studied. The results help to design a variety of opto-electronic devices for the use in optical fiber communication and heterostructure lasers. The calculated values agree well with available experimental values thus justifying the approach. (author).
A solar unit is described which contains a cavity radiation receiver, parabolic-cylindrical concentrator, and reflector arranged between the radiation receiver and the concentrator symmetrically in relation to the optical plane of the latter. In order to expand the range of use, it contains a pair of flat mirrors with 2 working surfaces installed at an angle and symmetrically to the optical plane of the parabolic cylindrical concentrator between them and the reflector, while the latter is made in the form of 2 flat mirrors installed at an angle on the cavity radiation receiver.
We present a thorough analysis of single atom detection using optical cavities. The large set of parameters that influence the signal-to-noise ratio for cavity detection is considered, with an emphasis on detunings, probe power, cavity finesse and photon detection schemes. Real device operating restrictions for single photon counting modules and standard photodiodes are included in our discussion, with heterodyne detection emerging as the clearly favourable technique, particularly for detuned detection at high power.
The polarization characteristics of spontaneous radiation from relativistic electrons moving through helical and planar wiggler fields are evaluated for imperfect beam injection. Maximum coherent gain in free-electron laser systems are seen to occur in optical fields having these polarization characteristics rather than those of the wiggler magnets. Coupling coefficients for an electron beam skewed at an angle to the optical mode are presented.
The optical properties of uranium monochalcogenides and monopnictides are discussed in terms of their electronic structure. A comparison is made with corresponding rare earth compounds. It is shown that there are close similarities to mixed valence CeN. the results support the occurrence of a dip in the density of d states near Esub(F), where the f density of states has its maximum. Empirical energy level schemes are derived which are found to agree with the existing information from XPS measurements and recent theories. (orig.).
Optical absorption measurements show that substitutional H"- ions, that is, protons with two electrons on anion sites, are thermally more stable than anion vacancies when thermochemically reduced CaO crystals are annealed in a reducing atmosphere. The H"- ions are identified by the infrared vibrational modes observed at 880 and 911 cm"-"1.
We show that the size of a lanthanide-ion doped nanoparticle can be accurately determined from its luminosity. The optically determined size distribution is in very good agreement with the distribution obtained from transmission electron microscopy. These data confirm that single nanoparticles are visualized in microscopy experiments. Nanoparticles as small as 13 nm are detectable with integration times of 500 ms.
We report an observation of a delayed all-optical routing/switching phenomenon based on ultraslow group velocity of light via nondegenerate four-wave mixing processes in a defected solid medium. Unlike previous demonstrations of enhanced four-wave mixing processes using the slow light effects, the present observation demonstrates a direct retrieval of the resonant Raman-pulse excited spin coherence into photon coherence through coherence conversion processes.
PurposeOptic nerve aplasia (ONA, OMIM 165550) is a very rare unilateral or bilateral condition that leads to blindness in the affected eye, and is usually associated with other ocular...Full Text Available
Goal was developing optical methods for study of dynamic processes at the electrode/electrolyte interface. In the past year, optical second harmonic generation was used for time-resolved measurements of thallium deposition on Cu(111). The studies of carrier dynamics in photo-excited materials have involved both steady-state and picosecond time-resolved luminescence measurements following photoexcitation of the semiconductor material.
A new magnetic electron microscope, UEMB-100, was designed with an increased electron-optical parameter. The electron-optical system consists of an electron canon (the high voltage is supplied by armored lead) and condensed, objective, intermediate, and projection lenses. In contrast to other native apparatuses, the microscope has a high resolving property (up to 20A) snnd great universality. (tr-auth)
We describe a liquid hydrogen droplet as an optical cavity via whispering gallery modes. We show that the droplet leads to an ultrahigh-cavity-Q value of 2.5x10{sup 9} in visible region. We show also that the high-Q droplet results in a huge Raman nonlinearity, generating a stimulated Raman comb series covering whole visible region.
Materials with high electrical conductivity and optical transparency are needed for future flat panel display, solar energy, and other opto-electronic technologies. InxCd1-xO...Full Text Available
We report an uncertainty evaluation of an optical lattice clock based on the $^1S_0\\leftrightarrow^3P_0$ transition in the bosonic isotope $^{174}$Yb by use of magnetically induced spectroscopy. The absolute frequency of the $^1S_0\\leftrightarrow^3P_0$ transition has been determined through comparisons with optical and microwave standards at NIST. The weighted mean of the evaluations is $\
Biofuels will have more intense impact on the energetic grid of the planet, because known fossil fuels reserves are being exhausted. The biofuel production relies on the transformation process of some organic material in the desired hydrocarbon product. Because of the natural characteristics of the related processes, fibre optic sensors appear to be adequate candidates to be used.
Visible laser light output from an electrically injected vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VSCEL) diode is enabled by the addition of phase-matching spacer layers on either side of the active region to form the optical cavity. The spacer layers comprise InAlP which act as charge carrier confinement means. Distributed Bragg reflector layers are formed on either side of the optical cavity to act as mirrors. 5 figs.
The application of differential optical absorption (DOA) techniques for the in-situ determination of the chemical composition of coal gasification process streams is investigated. Absorption spectra of relevant molecular species and the temperature and pressure effects on DOA-determined spectral characteristics of these species will be determined and cataloged. A system will be configured, assembled, and tested.
A portable fiber optic detector that senses the presence of specific target chemicals by electrostatically attracting the target chemical to an aromatic compound coating on an optical fiber. Attaching the target chemical to the coated fiber reduces the fluorescence so that a photon sensing detector records the reduced light level and activates an appropriate alarm or indicator.
This report deals with the selection of a data communication system for a remote metering system. It covers the following three types of systems: fiber optic, telephone line, and radio packet. It provides a methodology for selecting a communication system for a given remote metering system and a method for comparing costs.
In this paper, the adaptive optics (AO) system at Keck Observatory is characterized. The AO system is described in detail. The physical parameters of the lenslets, CCD and deformable mirror, the calibration procedures and the signal processing algorithms are explained. Results of sky performance tests are presented: the AO system is shown to deliver images with an average Strehl ratio of up to 0.37 at 1.59 {micro}m using a bright guide star. An error budget that is consistent with the observed image quality is presented.
This work deals with a time-resolved optical study of the avalanche and streamer formation phases leading to breakdown in atmospheric nitrogen. The authors present the results obtained for nitrogen, from experiments and two-dimensional model simulations. This model is used to obtain a better insight in the relevant mechanisms and processes by a comparison of measurements and simulation data. The trends of externally measured quantities correspond with those predicted by the model.
A thermal-resistant radiation sensing system using optical fiber has been developed. The system is for monitoring progress of chemical decontamination and able to measure the gamma-ray level in a hot solution of decontamination chemicals in situ. Our sensor head makes use of thermal-resistant NaI (T1) and it is connected to an optical fiber bundle. Scintillation photons pass from the NaI (T1) into the end of the bundle. This part of the system can withstand temperatures of over 100degC. At the far end of the optical fiber bundle, the scintillation photons are converted into fluorescent photons using a wavelength-shifting fiber. These photons are transferred to a distant photomultiplier tube through two thin transparent optical fibers. Furthermore, we propose a self-compensation technique for the dependence of scintillator sensitivity on. This compensation method is based on the correlation between ...
In this paper, a relatively high gain (#approx =# 25 to 40 percent) free-electron laser (FEL) with an optical ring resonator is simulated using the code FELEX. The laser system corresponds to the ''burst mode'' FEL scheduled for operation at Boeing Aerospace Company in 1988. The ring consists of paraboloids, grazing incidence by hyperboloids, and a grating rhomb. The wiggler is 5 m in length and has an adjustable taper, while the electron beam is produced by an RF linac. The optical elements of the ring together with the FEL interaction in the wiggler are modeled in three spatial dimensions to investigate the system from start-up to saturation. Both single frequency and finite pulse simulations are performed. The study illustrates the necessity of mode matching the loaded resonator to maximize the extraction efficiency. The mode matching is necessary because the FEL interaction significantly alters the optical beam focus ...
The next generation of synchrotrons and free electron laser facilities requires x-ray optical systems with extremely high performance, generally of diffraction limited quality. Fabrication and use of such optics requires adequate, highly accurate metrology and dedicated instrumentation. Previously, we suggested ways to improve the performance of the Long Trace Profiler (LTP), a slope measuring instrument widely used to characterize x-ray optics at long spatial wavelengths. The main way is use of a CCD detector and corresponding technique for calibration of photo-response non-uniformity [J. L. Kirschman, et al., Proceedings of SPIE 6704, 67040J (2007)]. The present work focuses on the performance and characteristics of the upgraded LTP-II at the ALS Optical Metrology Laboratory. This includes a review of the overall aspects of the design, control system, the movement and measurement regimes for the ...
KM3NeT is a future deep-sea research infrastructure hosting a neutrino telescope with a volume of at least one cubic kilometer to be constructed in the Mediterranean Sea. The experiment aims to detect high-energy cosmic neutrinos using a 3D array of optical modules to collect the Cherenkov light induced by charged particles in the water. Upward going muons and showers produced in neutrino interactions with the surrounding matter will allow the search and study of possible sources of extra-terrestrial neutrinos. The design of optical modules makes an important impact on the performance and cost of the KM3NeT project. Several different optical module configurations are under consideration; based on glass pressure spheres containing: a large (10 in.) hemispherical photomultiplier tube (with a multi-anode version as an option); 25-31 3 in. photomultiplier tubes, or a crystal scintillator-based hybrid device (X-HPD). The ...
This report summarizes the work performed under the Sandia Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project ``Optical Diagnostics for Turbulent and Multiphase Flows.`` Advanced optical diagnostics have been investigated and developed for flow field measurements, including capabilities for measurement in turbulent, multiphase, and heated flows. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) includes several techniques for measurement of instantaneous flow field velocities and associated turbulence quantities. Nonlinear photorefractive optical materials have been investigated for the possibility of measuring turbulence quantities (turbulent spectrum) more directly. The two-dimensional PIV techniques developed under this LDRD were shown to work well, and were compared with more traditional laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). Three-dimensional PIV techniques were developed and tested, but due to several experimental difficulties were ...
We test the hypothesis that radio galaxies are a random subset of otherwise normal elliptical galaxies. Starting with the observed optical luminosity functions for elliptical galaxies, we show that the probability of an elliptical forming a radio source is a continuous, increasing function of optical luminosity, proportional to L squared. With this probability function and the luminosity function of normal elliptical galaxies as input to Monte Carlo simulations, we reproduce the observed distribution of radio galaxies in the radio-optical luminosity plane. Our results show that radio galaxies are a luminosity-biased but otherwise random sample of elliptical galaxies. This unified view of radio-loud and radio-quiet ellipticals also explains the well known difference of ~0.5 mag in average optical luminosity between FRI and FRII radio galaxies as a simple selection effect. Specifically, FRII appear ...
The purpose of this paper is to present a summary of new methods, employing Lie algebraic tools, for characterizing beam dynamics in charged-particle optical systems. These methods are applicable to accelerator design, charged-particle beam transport, electron microscopes, and also light optics. The new methods represent the action of each separate element of a compound optical system, including all departures from paraxial optics, by a certain operator. The operators for the various elements can then be concatenated, following well-defined rules, to obtain a resultant operator that characterizes the entire system. This paper deals mostly with accelerator design and charged-particle beam transport. The application of Lie algebraic methods to light optics and electron microscopes is described elsewhere (1, see also 44). To keep its scope within reasonable bounds, they restrict their ...
Micron scale silicon nitride (SiNx) microdisk optical resonators fabricated on a silicon wafer are demonstrated with Q = 3.6 x 10^6 (finesse = 5 x 10^4) and an effective mode volume of 15 (\\lambda / n)^3 at wavelengths \\lambda ~ 852 nm resonant with the D2 transition manifold of cesium. A dilute hydrofluoric wet etch is shown to provide sensitive tuning of the microdisk optical resonances, and robust mounting of a fiber taper provides efficient fiber optic coupling to the SiNx microdisk cavities while allowing unfettered optical access for laser cooling and trapping of atoms. Initial measurement of a hybrid atom-cavity chip indicates that cesium adsorption on the surface of the SiNx microdisks results in significant red-detuning of the disk resonances. A technique for parallel integration of multiple (10) microdisks with a single optical fiber taper is also demonstrated.
The application of robotics for repair, refurbishing or dismantling of nuclear installations implies eventually severe radiation resistance requirements on embarked components and subsystems. This is particularly critical when optical sensing is considered. Optoelectronic components and optical fibers are indeed quite sensitive to radiation, and without special design are rapidly out-of-operation in such an environment. This paper reports the results of a series of #gamma# irradiation experiments on such devices, and identify their behavior under radiation. Test results show that carefully selected optical fibers can keep their radiation induced attenuation lower than 0.3 dB/m even up to a total dose of 10 MGy. Temperature annealing can even lower this attenuation down to 0.1 dB/m. On the other hand, commercially available light emitting diodes and photodiodes present attenuations figures up to 15 dB, even after a gamma ...
A newly developed 220 Mbps free-space 4-ary pulse position modulation (PPM) direct detection optical communication system is described. High speed GaAs integrated circuits were used to construct the PPM encoder and receiver electronic circuits. Both PPM slot and word timing recovery were provided in the PPM receiver. The optical transmitter consisted of an AlGaAs laser diode (Mitsubishi ML5702A, lambda=821nm) and a high speed driver unit. The photodetector consisted of a silicon avalanche photodiode (APD) (RCA30902S) preceded by an optical interference filter (delta lambda=10nm). Preliminary tests showed that the self-synchronized PPM receiver could achieve a receiver bit error rate of less than 10(exp -6) at 25 nW average received optical signal power or 360 photons per transmitted information bit. The relatively poor receiver sensitivity was believed to be caused by the insufficient electronic ...
A system is claimed for multiplexing or demultiplexing pulsed laser radiation having an acousto-optical device which is electrically controlled to switch a common path of high pulse rate laser radiation between a plurality of spatially distinct paths for relatively lower pulse rate laser radiation at which the pulses are sequenced according to a predetermined time pattern. The acousto-optical element typically includes a Bragg cell which is electrically driven by a set of distinct frequencies, causing deflection of radiation passing therethrough at a predetermined set of angles whereby pulsed radiation on a single path may be distributed onto the plural separate paths or radiation on plural separate paths of time-sequenced pulses of radiation can be combined into a single path of augmented pulse rate. The control of the acousto-optical element may be provided by selectively switching the output of a plurality of fixed ...
A non-invasive diagnostic tool that could identify malignancy in situ and in real time would have a major impact on the detection and treatment of cancer. We have developed and are testing early prototypes of an optical biopsy system (OBS) for detection of cancer and other tissue pathologies. The OBS invokes a unique approach to optical diagnosis of tissue pathologies based on the elastic scattering properties, over a wide range of wavelengths, of the microscopic structure of the tissue. The use of elastic scattering as the key to optical tissue diagnostics in the OBS is based on the fact that many tissue pathologies, including a majority of cancer forms, manifest significant architectural changes at the cellular and sub-cellular level. Since the cellular components that cause elastic scattering have dimensions typically on the order of visible to near-IR wavelengths, the elastic (Mie) scattering properties will be strongly ...
Ophir Corporation was awarded a contract by the U. S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory under the Project Title ''Airborne, Optical Remote Sensing of Methane and Ethane for Natural Gas Pipeline Leak Detection'' on October 14, 2002. This second six-month technical report summarizes the progress made towards defining, designing, and developing the hardware and software segments of the airborne, optical remote methane and ethane sensor. The most challenging task to date has been to identify a vendor capable of designing and developing a light source with the appropriate output wavelength and power. This report will document the work that has been done to identify design requirements, and potential vendors for the light source. Significant progress has also been made in characterizing the amount of light return available from a remote target at various distances from the light source. A ...
Complex abdominal lesions include a variety of pathologies, such as septated, infected, and hemorrhagic cysts, abscesses, tumors, and fluid collections of different ethiology. These lesions present diagnostic difficulties with both Ultrasonography (US) and Computed Tomography (CT), since findings may not be present or, when present, are not specific. Keeping these limitations in mind, we evaluated 105 patients (111 abdominal lesions) with both US and CT in order to compare their adequacy in predicting the nature of the lesion. On the basis of US and CT results, complex abdominal lesions were divided in four classes: class I includes 43 cases in which both examinations gave the same contribution to the definition of the nature of the lesion, class II (14 lesions, mainly sperimentated cysts), in which US was superior to CT, class III includes 45 cases of hemorrhagic cysts, abscesses, fluid collections and, less frequently, cystic tumors; class IV includes 9 cases in ...
Malignant tumors of the sinonasal cavities are rare and often diagnosed late in the course of the disease. These tumors can extend into regions such as the orbit and brain, where treatment is difficult. Ten patients with non treated sinonasal malignant neoplasms and radiological evidence of tumor extension into the orbit and brain were studied with computed tomography. Five (50%) tumors were epithelial neoplasms whereas squamous cell carcinoma was the most common type (3 cases). The ethmoidal sinus was the most common site of origin of the tumors (40%), followed by the maxillary sinus (30%) and nasal cavity (30%). A total of 16 orbits were involved since 6 patients (60%) had bilateral orbital involvement. The tumors extended more often into the orbits through erosion of the medial and inferior orbital bones. All orbital compartments were involved in the majority of the orbits. Tumoral extension into the cranial cavity was more common through the ethmoidal (70%) and ...
The introduction of positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) systems into medical practice in the foreseeable future may not only lead to a gain in clinical diagnosis compared to PET/computed tomography (CT) imaging due to the superior soft-tissue contrast of the MR technology but can also substantially reduce exposure of patients to ionizing radiation. On the other hand, there are also risks and health effects associated with the use of diagnostic MR devices that have to be considered carefully. This review article summarizes biophysical and biological aspects, which are of relevance for the assessment of health effects related to the exposure of patients to both ionizing radiation in PET and magnetic and electromagnetic fields in MR. On this basis, some considerations concerning the justification and optimization of PET/MR examinations are presented - as far as this is possible at this very early stage. Current safety ...
The seismic reflection exploration technique which is one of the geophysical methods for oil exploration became effectively to image the subsurface structure with rapid development of computer. As a tool to perform seismic inversion, seismic forward modeling program using ray tracing should be developed. In this study, we have developed the algorithm that is to calculate the travel time of the complex geological structure using ray tracing by subdividing the geologic model into triangular element (finite element) having the constant velocity. We can analytically calculate Jacobian with some information by this current ray tracing. With this Jacobian, we will develop new algorithm which is to obtain geological properties and to image the subsurface. Since the FEM (Finite Element Method) ray tracing we have developed goes well the inverse velocities structure, we can apply the inversion problem to complex geological model. This report consists of 3 articles. 1) Development of 2-D ...
The production of radiopharmaceuticals used in positron emission tomography (PET) can require large amounts of activity at the start of synthesis in order to yield sufficient labeled material for clinical studies. Several investigators have developed remote and automated systems for the routine production of PET radiopharmaceuticals in order to reduce radiation exposure to personnel. Such devices, however, suffer from limited flexibility and can be relatively complicated in design. These systems are also limited to the production of a single or a few closely related compounds. Furthermore, changes in chemistry would require considerable modifications in hardware and/or software in order to bring the device back into operation. To circumvent the above limitations associated with the remote production of PET radiopharmaceuticals, the authors have investigated the use of laboratory robotics as a flexible alternative to the synthesis of several short-lived ...
In order to improve the image quality of linear tomography performed with the Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) system, we have examined one-dimensional unsharp mask filtering to reduce blur formed in the direction of tomographic swing. We determined a mask size and a weighting factor of the image processing suitable to obtain a quality tomogram. The mask size of 41 x 1 pixels for a 14 x 14'' imaging plate, which modifies the original image date and results in demonstrating a peak frequency at 0.2 cycles/mm for spatial frequency spectrum, is superior in showing fine vessel structures and morphological features of pathology in the lung fields. An additional spatial frequency filtration in the direction perpendicular to the tomographic movement reduces the blur and clearly demonstrates object contours running parallel to the tube movement. However, the additional filtration increases the appearance of noise on the processed image and offsets the ...
Correct ortopedic therapy for traumas of the cervical rachis requires perfect knowledge of the spatial balance of the fracture focus. The authors belive Computed Tomography (CT) to be the most suitable, and often indispensable, method for this purpose. Twenty-four patients were examined for traumatic pathology of the cervical rachis. In 7 cases with clinically minor traumas, the negative outcome of the traditional traumas, the negative outcome of the traditional exam was considered reliable and sufficient for therapeutic purposes. The extant 17 patients were examined also by means of CT, either to better dermine the characteristics of skeletal lesions already ascertained with traditional techniques or to asses the presence of clinically-suspected osteo-articular lesions, even with negative conventional X-rays. For 9 of these patients orthopedic treatment was considered sufficient, whereas 8 patients underwent surgery and were subsequently examined with CT, which ...
Purpose: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the typical appearance of ganglioneuromas in computer-assisted tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of diagnostic imaging (9 CT, 6 MRI) in 9 children aged 3 to 15 years with the histological diagnosis of ganglioneuroma. Results: The tomographies showed large (max. 13.4 cm in diameter) round or oval tumors with sharp delineation. The sites of the tumors were the retroperitoneum (5), the mediastinum (3), and the adrenal gland (1). Intraspinal tumor involvement occurred in 4 cases. On comparing CT with MRI, MRI was more accurate in defining the intraspinal involvement. The ganglioneuromas were of hypodense appearance in the native CT scan and showed moderate enhancement upon administration of contrast media. In five patients tumor calcifications with a disseminated sprinkled pattern were seen in CT. In MRI T_1-weighted scans the tumors ...
To analyze and review the most common focal lesions of the external auditory canal (EAC), describing the computed tomography (CT) findings. The CT images of EAC were reviewed in a series of 167 patients. Abnormal findings were recorded in 13 cases. The CT images were correlated with otoscopic and/or intraoperative findings. There were four cases of osteoma (one located outside the EAC); all of which were treated surgically, as was the one case of exostosis. Six patients presented debris in EAC, coinciding with clinical evidence of external otitis. There were two cholesteatomas derived from EAC, one of them secondary to survery to treat osteoma. On patient was diagnosed as having a basal cell carcinoma of the ear, extending to EAC, but refused to undergo surgery. Five patients presented small triangular laminae of dense bone arising from the upper wall of the EAC which were defined as abnormal variants of the fusion of the temporal squamous epithelium to the ...
The real-time neutron radiography system of the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR) has been practically applied to penetrating the side plates containing boron burnable poison to test MTR type reactor fuels and to investigation of moving objects. Compared with the image obtained by the direct film method, however, the image from the TV system is in low-contrast and poor-resolution. This paper presents some digital processing approaches to improve the image quality and the neutron TV system is successfully applied to neutron computed tomography (NCT). The frame summing technique is effective to increase the quality of the radiographic image. By using the NTV system in NCT, the projection data are able to be acquired in a single measurement as observing the projection image on a CRT monitor. Two weighting functions based on the Fourier-convolution algorithm are employed to obtain the reconstructed image. The image quality could be satisfactory to distinguish acrylic ...
The real-time neutron radiography system of the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR) has been practically applied to penetrating the side plates containing boron burnable poison to test MTR type reactor fuels and to investigation of moving objects. Compared with the image obtained by the direct film method, however, the image from the TV system is in low-contrast and poor-resolution. This paper presents some digital processing approaches to improve the image quality and the neutron TV system is successfully applied to neutron computed tomography (NCT). The frame summing technique is effective to increase the quality of the radiographic image. By using the NTV system in NCT, the projection data are able to be acquired in a single measurement as observing the projection image on a CRT monitor. Two weighting functions based on the Fourier-convolution algorithm are employed to obtain the reconstructed image. The image quality could be satisfactory to distinguish acrylic ...
Introduction: There are many problems in the radiological diagnosis of aseptic loosening in total hip arthroplasty. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) are not usable for metallic implants (stainless steel, cobalt alloy, titanium alloy). Material and Methods: From April 1993 to December 1993 15 CFRP non-cemented hip prostheses have been implanted. In a prospective clinical study plane radiographs, CT and MRT have been analysed. Results: Three stems were revised (1 femoral fracture, 1 severe thigh pain, 1 aseptic loosening). CFRP are not visible in plane radiographs. There was a complete (two-third of the cases) or nearly complete (one-third of the cases) small sclerotic interface between the prosthesis and the bone, these were apparent in CT and MRT in stable implant cases and did not have any clinical correlations. Discussion: The small sclerotic interface is quite different in comparison to so called 'Reactive ...
Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance (colorectal lesions) of computed tomography (CT) colonography in 111 patients, a majority of whom were at high risk for colorectal neoplasia. Material and Methods: After bowel preparation, CT colonography was performed, immediately followed by conventional colonoscopy. The diagnostic performance of CT colonography was analyzed relative to lesion size, histological diagnosis, and diagnostic certainty. Results: The sensitivity of CT colonography increased with lesion size (P<0.001), and was 91% (21/23) for lesions > or = 10 mm. All 10 carcinomas and 86% (19/22) of adenomas > or = 5 mm were detected. Unconfirmed or false-positive CT findings were generally small and/or reported with low diagnostic certainty. The specificity of CT colonography would be 45% (30/66; 95% CI 34% to 57%) if patients with findings of any size and any diagnostic certainty were selected for follow-up, and 92% (85/92; 95% CI ...
The purpose was to compare the findings of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in prosthetic valve disorders using the operative findings as a gold standard. In a 3-year period, we prospectively enrolled 25 patients with 31 prosthetic heart valves. MDCT and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were done to evaluate pannus formation, prosthetic valve dysfunction, suture loosening (paravalvular leak) and pseudoaneurysm formation. Patients indicated for surgery received an operation within 1 week. The MDCT findings were compared with the operative findings. One patient with a Bjoerk-Shiley valve could not be evaluated by MDCT due to a severe beam-hardening artifact; thus, the exclusion rate for MDCT was 3.2% (1/31). Prosthetic valve disorders were suspected in 12 patients by either MDCT or TTE. Six patients received an operation that included three redo aortic valve replacements, two redo mitral replacements and one Amplatzer ductal occluder occlusion of a ...
Cerebral angiography, pneumoencephalography, and radioisotope brain scan with their differing diagnostic abilities have provided the neurologist and neurosurgeon with extremely valuable diagnostic techniques. It is doubtful, however, if any of these now conventional methods had the enormous impact on the practice of neurology that computer assisted axial tomography (C.A.T.) is beginning to have. Here, for the first time, is a test which, without significant risk or discomfort, can demonstrate some normal intracranial (and intraorbital) structures, can demonstrate some normal intracranial pathology and, in many cases, can make the potentially dangerous contrast studies unnecessary. After only a few months experience with C.A.T. in a clinical setting, it has become obvious that there will have to be a reappraisal of the accepted investigative work-up of many conditions. While it is too early to have formulated strict criteria for the use of C.A.T., this paper is an ...
Forty-one cases of mediastinal tumor examined by computed tomography were reviewed. CT findings of the mediastinal malignancy were as follows: 1) inhomogeneous density on contrast CT, 2) equivocaton of fat plane surrounding the tumor, 3) irregular margin. Benign teratoma had smooth margin and included fat or calcification density. Mediastinal seminoma was observed as a lobulated mass with no calcification on CT. These findings were similar to the patterns of malignant thymoma or lymphoma. Consequently, it was very difficult to differentiate between malignant thymoma and malignant lymphoma by CT. According to our data, malignant thymoma tended to expand to only one side of the anterior mediastinum and to invade the anterior chest wall. On the other hand, malignant lymphoma of anterior medistinal type expanded into the trachea and the superior vena cava. In patients with sarcoidosis, the enlargement of bilateral hilar lymph nodes was commonly observed, on the ...
As yet, the role of Computed Tomography (CT) as a routine imaging technique in the staging and follow-up of thoracic Hodgkin's disease has not been assessed. The authors reported the results obtained in 120 patients affected with thoracic Hodgkin's disease, staged and followed by means af chest X-rays and CT. CT better identified intrathoracic involvement of mediastinal nodes, of lung parenchyma, of pleura, and of pericarcial and chest walls in 54/120 patients (45%), with staging modifications in 18 (15%) of them only. Treatment was changed only in 12 patients (19%) where radiation therapy had been planned. The clinical value of the additional information yielded by CT was especially evident in the follow-up: CT allowed the correct evaluation of persistent/ recurrent disease in 51/117 patients (43.5%), a figure high enough to suggest the use of CT in the routive follow-up of patients affected with thoracic Hodgkin's disease.
Modern imaging technologies visualize different aspects of disease in a non-invasive way. Considerable progress has been made in the fusion of images from different imaging modalities using software approaches. One goal of fusion software is to align anatomical and functional images and allow improved spatial localization of abnormalities. The resulting correlation of the anatomical and functional images may clarify the nature of the abnormality and help diagnose or stage the underlying disease. Whereas successful image fusion software has been developed for the brain, only limited success has been achieved for image alignment in other parts of the body. The development and current status of alternative approaches are presented. Dual-modality imaging is described with devices where two modalities are combined and mounted in a single gantry. The use of existing scanner technology ensures that no compromises are made in the clinical efficacy of either the anatomical or functional imaging ...
The aim of this study was to assess the body weight-tailored contrast material injection protocol for 64-detector computed tomography (CT) to maintain optimal coronary CT attenuation. A total of 60 patients who underwent CT coronary angiography were assigned to one of three groups: protocol A, total of 0.7 ml kg"-"1 with 300 mg I/ml iodine concentration; protocol B, total of 0.6 ml kg"-"1 with 350 mg I/ml; protocol C, total of 0.7 ml kg"-"1 with 350 mg I/ml. The injection duration was 10 s in all patients. The proportion of intracoronary attenuation values >325 Hounsfield unit (HU) was compared on a per-vessel and per-patient basis. The attenuation value was significantly more likely to exceed 325 HU with protocol C (95% for reader 1 and 90% for reader 2) than with protocol A or B on the per-vessel analysis (P325 HU) with 64-detector CT when using an injection duration of 10 s. (author)
While there have been many experimental and calculational investigations on absorbed dose distribution in the patient resulting from conventional X-ray procedures, such data for computerized tomography (CT) are still sparse. As this diagnostic procedure has shown a rapid increase in application during recent years, we have determined absorbed dose to body organs in a human phantom resulting from CT examinations. The exposure model consists of the heterogeneous MIRD-5 phantom and a suitable Monte-Carlo method to calculate absorbed dose to organs of interest. The exposure conditions are specified according to the exposure specifications of a CT-scanner currently in use. The calculations cover the range of body tissues of interest in terms of organ absorbed doses as well as a risk weighted absorbed dose. A detailed example showing the calculation of red bone marrow dose is given and a somatic effective dose equivalent Hsub(ES) is calculated for different conventional ...
In cases of obstructive colorectal cancer (CRC), preoperative diagnosis of the proximal lesion is often difficult when the primary lesion impedes the passage of the endoscope. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in such cases. A total of 52 obstructive CRC patients who underwent preoperative FDG-PET and subsequent surgical resection were retrospectively reviewed. The correlation between characteristics of the proximal lesion and FDG-PET findings was analyzed statistically. There was a significant correlation between the proximal lesion size and the maximum standardized uptake value (P=0.00016). Abnormal FDG accumulation in the proximal colon indicated the existence of proximal cancer or adenoma with a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 100%. There was a significant difference in the distribution of tumor size between the cases with proximal abnormal accumulation and those ...
Integration of positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (MR) has become a topic of increasing interest to the imaging community over the past two years. In this text, the authors attempt to distinguish facts from fiction concerning such integrated systems. Analysis of existing information of combined imaging on existing brain PET/MR systems and imaging experience with PET-computed tomography (CT) is reviewed. Various types of system integration of PET and MR are discussed with completely independent systems on one hand and completely integrated systems with the possibility of simultaneous data acquisition on the other hand. Furthermore, it is discussed, what simultaneous data acquisition with nuclear imaging systems combined with MR or CT really means, as technical simultaneity may not be relevant in light of the pharmacokinetics of the nuclear tracers used. The authors conclude that combining PET/MR is an interesting research ...
Twenty-five patients with ovarian carcinoma who had been operated and treated with chemotherapy underwent clinical examination and CT before reintervention (second-look laparotomy) to detect the presence of eventual recurrences. The prediction of recurrence based on CT and clinical findings was compared with the surgical findings at reintervention. CT proved to be more accurate than clinical examination in detecting recurrences; this was especially true for masses in the abdominal cavity, with the exception of small peritoneal nodules. The authors suggest the use of CT for staging the patients candidate to reintervention. This might help to avoid reintervantion in patients with persistent disease and to plan treatment.
Single photon tomography using lipophilic tracers provides tomographic representations of regional blood flow. To penetrate a healthy blood-brain barrier requires that radiotracers either are fat-soluble or have an affinity for one of the selective blood-brain barrier transport systems. In recent years there has been an increasing interest to explore the ideal physical characteristics of "9"9"mTc for diagnostic problems of brain diseases. The development of radiopharmaceuticals for brain imaging including the intensively studied "9"9"mTc-propyleneamineoxime derivatives is discussed. (author).
The aortovenous fistulas are rare, most of them are aortocaval fistula. The non-caval communication of the fistula is sparse. Herein we report a 47-year-old female diagnosed as traumatic aorto-superior mesenteric vein (Ao-SMV) fistula. The abdominal pain, fullness, and frank bruit on abdominal auscultation suggested the diagnosis of an intra-abdominal arteriovenous fistula. The diagnosis of Ao-SMV was further confirmed by the computed tomography (CT) and aortography. The fistula was successfully treated with transcatheter coil embolization. This is the first case of Ao-SMV fistula. It provides an alternative option of treatment other than conventional surgery. PMID:19327940
As a consequence of the expanded use of long term hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) treatments and extended life spans, complications of end-stage renal disease and dialysis treatments are being encountered with increasing frequency in these patients. Computed tomography can accurately depict many of the potential complications of end-stage renal disease on dialysis. This article presents the abdominal CT findings of 429 end-stage renal disease patients who are on either hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis treatment.
The US study of the posterior compartment of the knee usually allows the clinical suspicion of popliteal cyst to be confirmed. Neverthless, in case of giant Baker's cysts - which are, at any rate, less frequent -US diagnosis is more difficult. CT can help determine the benign nature of the lesion, and hallow an accurate spatial evaluation. Moreover CT, when accurately performed, demonstrates the caudal or cranial cystic spread, together with its clear separation from adjacent muscular tissues. Direct coronal scans are more useful to obtain better spatial definition than reformatted images.
To evaluate the role of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in staging and determining early treatment response to chemotherapy in children with neuroblastoma (NB) and its correlation with the final outcome. Patients and Methods: Seventeen patients of NB with mean age of 51.5 months (age range 2-132 months; 14 males, 3 females) underwent serial "1"8F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT imaging. All 17 patients were for staging before any treatment. Twelve of 17 patients underwent "1"3"1I meta-iodobezylguanidine (MIBG) scan and bone scan. MIBG uptake was seen in the primary lesion in 11/12 patients. MIBG uptake in bones was seen in 3/12 patients. All bone lesions were concordant on MIBG and bone scan. Early response to chemotherapy was evaluated after two cycles using PET-CT. A 30% reduction in longest diameter was taken as cut-off value for response on CT based on the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors criteria. ...
Roentgenological analysis of the anterior chest wall was performed in twenty six patients with sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis. Initial hyperostotic change was seen at the first costosternal junction with ventral protrusion. Hyperostosis gradually developed around the first ribs, and irregular hyperostotic changes were also seen along the costoclavicular ligaments. Even in the final stage, however, sternoclavicular joint spaces were well preserved. These findings suggest that sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis is a disorder initiated around the costal cartilage including the periosteum and perichondrium, and that arthritis is not a condition stemming from that disorder.
The activities and results of a Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project entitled ''Rapid Tools for Joint Inversion and Imaging'' are presented. Research and development on three-dimensional methods to recover distributions of material property values from sparse data are reported. Innovations using artificial neural networks and extended Kalman filtering are described. The report also covers investigations on upscaling and downscaling, segmentation for data processing, and applications to ground penetrating radar and geohydraulic tomography.
The results of the examination of 23 children with Ewing's sarcoma of the rib were analyzed: panoramic chest X-rays in 4 projections, spot radiographs of the robs, superexposed pictures, laterograms, urography, angiography, computerized tomography, and scanning of the skeleton. Causes of diagnostic errors made at the first consultation by a physician, were identified. Peculiarities of X-ray signs of tumors of this site in children were studied. Diagnostic difficulties in tumors complicated by pleurisy and in tumors of small sizes with extrapleural growth were shown. Inclusions in the extraoseous tumor component were noted in 8.7% of the cases.
To improve the detection rate of lung cancer, we have introduced low-dose CT and CR technique into a population-based annual mass screening. From December 1999, 3868 and 12618 individuals participated in this screening program with CT and with CR, respectively. Primary lung cancer was detected in 15 (0.39%) by CT and 8 (0.06%) by CR. This results show high detection rate of primary lung cancer as had been previously reported. (author)
Radiological findings of chest and abdominal wall involvement in Hodgkin's disease are reported. This manifestation was diagnosed in one patient in the primary staging and in two patients during the course of the disease. Typical radiological findings are soft tissue masses in the chest and abdominal wall, in two cases with continous tumor growth of enlarged mediastinal lymphnodes into the anterior chest wall. The axial computed tomography is the best method to evaluate the extent of chest and abdominal wall involvement in Hodgkin's disease.
Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of lung perfusions permits to map functioning lung parenchyma with higher sensitivity than CT. Delivering higher radiations doses it used to increase local control in lung carcinoma; this strategy is based on radiobiological and clinical studies. Lung parenchyma is a dose-limiting tissue in patients irradiated for lung cancer. Functional mapping based on SPECT and CT findings permits to design radiation beams such as to minimize irradiation of functioning lung.
An interferometric technique for hard X-rays is presented. It is based on two transmission gratings and a phase-stepping technique, and it provides separate radiographs of the phase and absorption profiles of bulk samples. Tomographic reconstruction yields quantitative three-dimensional maps of the X-ray refractive index and of the attenuation coefficient, with a spatial resolution down to a few microns. The method is mechanically robust, it requires little monochromaticity, and can be scaled up to large fields of view. These are important prerequisites for use with laboratory X-ray sources. Numerous applications ranging from wave front sensing to medical radiography are presently under investigation.
The paper investigates the yield and the role of the computerized tomography in diagnosing abdominal gunshot wounds, with their rich and varied radiological signs and associated injuries, and subsequently used in the diagnosis. [Italian] Scopo del lavoro e' riportare l'esperienza personale nell'uso della tomografia computerizzata per riconoscere le lesioni da arma da fuoco dell'addome e nelle fasi successive dell'approfondimento diagnostico.
A neutron collimator system is being designed as part of a neutron imaging facility for computed tomography and real-time neutron radiography research at the through beam port of the University of Texas TRIGA reactor. Lack of sufficient information about collimator systems in a through port from the literature necessitated the use of Monte Carlo calculations using the MCNP code 3 to search for optimal design configuration and materials that maximize the thermal neutron intensity at the image plane while minimizing the fast neutrons and gamma radiation.
Three cases of primitive suprasellar germinomas are reported: the tumors show typical clinical signs (diabetes insipidus, disfunctions), but CT findings are not so specific. It is very important to reach a correct diagnosis based on clinical and radiological findings, because of very high radiosensibility of the tumor. The accuracy of preoparative diagnosis has been enhanced by CT in addition to conventional neuroradiological examinations. Due to the possible risk of meningeal spreading following biopsy, some authors prefer to avoid biopsy and to treat directly the patient by radiotherapy; a rapid reduction of the tumor size at the dose of 30 Gy suggest a possible germinoma.
Dilatation of the azygos vein is usually due to increased pressure or flow, rarely is it diopathic. Another cause is so-called continuation of the azygos in cases of absence of the hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava. The method of choice for the investigation of azygos dilatation nowadays is computer tomotgraphy. Anomalies of the inferior vena cava can be recognised in this way unequivocally by a non-invasive method. Computer tomography frequently shows important additional abnormalities (e.g. situs inversus, polysplenia), since it demonstrates all organs situated in the plane of section. (orig.).
Twenty rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with involvement of the cranio-cervical junction (CCJ) were given CT scan. In most cases the myelo-CT technique with the lumbar injection of small quantities of non-ionic contrast medium was adopted; CT easily diagnosed the horizontal and vertical dislocations on the CCJ, the bone strcture lesions and the inflammatory masses. A high frequency of medullary compressions was also found in these patients. Myelo-CT appears to be the technique of choice for the precise definition of the various factors responsible for the neurological complications found in RA of the CCJ.
During the last decade there was a growing interest on the application of Positron Emission Tomography, PET, techniques to Breast Imaging. More recently, preliminary results suggested the use of dedicated devices to Breast Imaging using the same technique, the so-called Positron Emission Mammography cameras, PEM. In this article we review the arguments leading to a dedicated instrument. Based on these arguments we describe the concept of a PEM camera under development within the Crystal Clear Collaboration and the first results of its expected performance in terms of sensitivity and position resolution.
A 37-year-old military mechanic presented to our institution with a chronic history of a slowly enlarging left elbow antecubital fossa mass. There was no history of other chronic illness or trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and excisional biopsy revealed fatty villi and synovial inflammation within the left bicipitoradial bursa, consistent with lipoma arborescens. Four years later the patient presented with a 6-month history of swelling at the antecubital fossa of the opposite elbow. Diagnostic computed tomography and MRI examinations were performed. The surgical and pathologic findings confirmed the imaging diagnosis of lipoma arborescens at the right bicipitoradial bursa. (orig.)
The radiative heat loss from a surface is determined by its total hemispherical emittance, which consequently plays an important role in aerospace and solar applications. This study compares emittances measured calorimetrically with values derived from near normal incidence spectral reflectance measurements. This optical derivation is based on a number of assumptions which limit the accuracy if not sufficiency fulfilled. These assumptions include sample specularity, a straybody character beyond the range of measurement, only small variations of emittance with temperature, and a perfectly smooth sample surface. The comparison of calorimetrically and optically derived emittance performed in this study not only quantifies the errors introduced by insufficient fulfillment of the assumptions but also identifies which assumption causes the dominant error. The calorimetric emissometer, constructed for this study and based on a heat flow sensor, was ...
The Gigabit Link Interface Board (GLIB) is an evaluation platform and an easy entry point for users of high speed optical links in high energy physics experiments. Its intended use ranges from optical link evaluation in the laboratory to control, triggering and data acquisition from remote modules in beam or irradiation tests. The GLIB is an FPGA-based Advanced Mezzanine Card (AMC) conceived to serve a small and simple system residing either inside a Micro Telecommunications Computing Architecture (?TCA) crate, or on a bench with a link to a PC. This paper presents the architecture of the GLIB, its features as well as examples of its use in different setups.
A novel method of simultaneous realization of optical carrier-suppression and single-sideband modulation using fiber Fabry-Perot tunable filter is presented. In order to enhance transmission performance of radio over fiber links, we use a fiber Fabry-Perot tunable filter to filter out one sideband as well as suppress the optical carrier power. The results demonstrate 20.5dB and 14.2dB improvement in the signal noise ratios when 18GHz and 10GHz microwave signals carrying 5Mbit/s quadrature-phase-shift-keyed (QPSK) format data is transmitted over 35 km single mode fiber, respectively.
The optical spectroscopy measurements of gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) crystals doped with Yb show evidence of the presence of non-equivalent optical centers with very similar radiative decay rates. The energy level schemes of those centers have been determined on the basis of optical absorption, luminescence and Raman experiments. Crystal field fitting resulted in two sets of slightly different crystal field parameters for two non-equivalent Yb centers. Both sets of parameters describe perfectly the experimentally detected Y b3+ energy levels. Correlation between systematic trends in the experimental energy level schemes and crystal field parameters is discussed.
Remote detection of chemicals using LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) utilizing DIAL (Differential Absorption LIDAR) is now a standard detection technique for both military and civilian activities. We have developed a novel nonlinear optical phase conjugation system that can reduce the effects of speckle noise and atmospheric turbulence on DIAL remote detection systems. We have shown numerically and experimentally that it is possible to increase the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio for LIDAR systems under certain conditions using optical phase conjugation. This increase in S/N can result in more accurate detection of chemical effluents while simultaneously reducing the time necessary to acquire this information.
We assess the accuracy and relevance of the numerical algorithms based on the principles of Geometrical Optics (GO) and Physical Optics (PO) in the analysis of reduced-size homogeneous dielectric lenses prone to behave as open resonators. As a benchmark solution, we use the Muller boundary integral equations discretized with trigonometric Galerkin scheme that has guaranteed and fast convergence as well as controllable accuracy. The lens cross-section is chosen typical for practical applications, namely an extended hemiellipse whose eccentricity satisfies the GO focusing condition. The analysis concerns homogeneous lenses made of rexolite, fused quartz, and silicon with the size varying between 3 and 20 wavelengths in free space. We consider the 2-D case with both E- and H-polarized plane waves under normal and oblique incidence, and compare characteristics of the near fields.
Abstract. The pathogenesis of normal (intraocular) pressure glaucoma has remained unclear so far. As hospital-based studies showed an association of normal-pressure glaucoma with low systemic blood pressure, particularly at night, and with vasospastic symptoms, it has been hypothesized that a vascular factor may play a primary role in the pathogenesis of normal-pressure glaucoma. That assumption may, however, be contradicted by the morphology of the optic nerve head. Eyes with normal-pressure glaucoma and glaucomatous eyes with high-intraocular pressure can show a strikingly similar appearance of the optic nerve head, including a loss of neuroretinal rim, a deepening of the optic cup, and an enlargement of parapapillary atrophy. These features, however, are not found in any (other) vascula...
A compact storage ring NIJI-IV free electron laser (FEL) is being developed as a tunable light source which covers a wide wavelength range from the VUV to the IR. To shorten the FEL wavelength in the VUV region, the optical cavity mirror was improved and the original loss of Al_2O_3/SiO_2 multilayer mirror around 195nm was decreased 30% compared with that of the previous one. New optical cavity system equipped with two remotely interchangeable mirrors was installed for the UV/VUV FEL to stabilize the laser and also to extend the tuning range. As for construction of the IR FEL, modification of the beam transport system to make space for installation of the optical cavity was completed. (author)
The photoluminescence intensity of an optical emitter changes when placed in close proximity to a noble-metal nanoparticle, due to two contributions. First, the optical near-field of the nanoparticle leads to a change in excitation rate of the emitter. Secondly, the emission efficiency is changed due to an optical energy transfer from the emitter to the metal nanoparticle, which provides additional radiative and non-radiative decay channels. In this work we investigate the photoluminescence of Sm{sup 3+} ions, which are embedded in SiO{sub 2}. The photoluminescence spectrum of ions in proximity to single silver and gold nanoparticles is measured. The influence of the spectral position of the nanoparticle plasmon peak on the photoluminescence yield will be discussed and compared with model calculations.
Non-linear optics encompasses a range of optical phenomena, including two- and three-photon fluorescence, second harmonic generation (SHG), sum frequency generation (SFG), difference frequency generation (DFG), third harmonic generation (THG), coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS). The combined advantages of using these phenomena for imaging complex pharmaceutical systems include chemical and structural specificities, high optical spatial and temporal resolutions, no requirement for labels, and the ability to image in an aqueous environment. These features make such imaging well suited for a wide range of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical investigations, including material and dosage form characterisation, dosage form digestion and drug rele...
Multi-fiber WDM networks are becoming the major telecommunication platforms for transmitting exponentially increasing data traffic. While today's networks are mainly providing circuit-switched connections, optical packet-switching technologies have been investigated for years, aiming at achieving more efficient utilizations of network resources. In this paper, we have evaluated, for the first time, the packet-loss performance of multi-fiber optical packet switches (MOPS). Our main contributions are threefold. Firstly, we have proposed simple and accurate analytical models for analyzing packet-loss performance of (i) the most fundamental MOPS configuration, (ii) MOPS equipped with fiber delay lines (FDLs) and (iii) shared wavelength converters (SWCs). Secondly, we have shown that the MOPS n...
A time-reversal-violating spin-correlation coefficient in the total cross section for polarized neutrons incident on a tensor rank-2 polarized target is calculated by assuming a time-reversal-noninvariant, parity-conserving ``five-fold" interaction in the neutron-nucleus optical potential. Results are presented for the system $n + {^{165}{\\rm Ho}}$ for neutron incident energies covering the range 1--20 MeV. From existing experimental bounds, a strength of $2 \\pm 10$ keV is deduced for the real and imaginary parts of the five-fold term, which implies an upper bound of order $10^{-4}$ on the relative $T$-odd strength when compared to the central real optical potential.
Nonrelativistic band calculations of Mattheiss for Nb and Petroff and Viswanathan for Mo are used to calculate the imaginary part epsilon_2 of the dielectric function for these metals. The structure resulting from interband transitions in the frequency range 0.1--0.5 Ry is found to give fairly good agreement with experiment. The calculation indicates that structure in epsilon_2 can arise from transitions away from symmetry points and lines in the Brillouin zone. The difficulty in distinguishing between the direct and indirect transition models for epsilon_2 is shown to arise from a lack of strong optical critical points. Predictions of the rigid-band model for the optical properties of Nb-Mo alloys are presented.
The electronic structure and optical properties in tetragonal ceramics PbTiO_3, are studied by using full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method in density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation by WIEN2K package. The theoretical calculated optical properties and energy loss spectrum yield a static refractive index of 2.59 and a plasmon energy of 22.7eV for the tetragonal phase. The effective electron number at low energy saturates near 22-23eV with the value of 50 for the effective electron number. The results show a indirect band gap of 2.2eV at the I' point in the Brillouin zone. The :calculated band structure and density of states of PbTiO_3 agree with previous experimental and theoretical results.
In this paper, we study the optical properties of indium sulfide thin films to establish the best conditions to obtain a good solar cell buffer layer. The In2S3 buffer layers have been prepared by chemical bath deposition (CBD) and thermal evaporation (PVD). Optical behavior differences have been found between CBD and PVD In2S3 thin films that have been explained as due to structural, morphological and compositional differences observed in the films prepared by both methods. The resultant refractive index difference has to be attributed to the lower density of the CBD films, which can be related to the presence of oxygen. Its higher refractive index makes PVD film better suited to reduce overall reflectance in a typical CIGS solar cell.
While radiation-pressure cooling is well known, the Brillouin scattering of light from sound is considered an acousto-optical amplification-only process. It was suggested that cooling could be possible in multi-resonance Brillouin systems when phonons experience lower damping than light. However, this regime was not accessible in traditional Brillouin systems since backscattering enforces high acoustical frequencies associated with high mechanical damping. Recently, forward Brillouin scattering in microcavities has allowed access to low-frequency acoustical modes where mechanical dissipation is lower than optical dissipation, in accordance with the requirements for cooling. Here we experimentally demonstrate cooling via such a forward Brillouin process in a microresonator. We show two regimes of operation for the Brillouin process: acoustical amplification as is traditional, but also for the first time, a Brillouin cooling regime. Cooling is ...
Details of the interaction of photons with tissue phantoms are elucidated using Monte Carlo simulations. In particular, photon sampling volumes and photon pathlengths are determined for a variety of scattering and absorption parameters. The Monte Carlo simulations are specifically designed to model light delivery and collection geometries relevant to clinical applications of optical biopsy techniques. The Monte Carlo simulations assume that light is delivered and collected by two, nearly-adjacent optical fibers and take into account the numerical aperture of the fibers as well as reflectance and refraction at interfaces between different media. To determine the validity of the Monte Carlo simulations for modeling the interactions between the photons and the tissue phantom in these geometries, the simulations were compared to measurements of aqueous suspensions of polystyrene microspheres in the wavelength range 450-750 nm.
In this study, we use electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), optical absorption, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies to determine the various Ce environments in SrS phosphor materials and how these affect absorption and emission properties. As the Ce concentration is increased from 450 to 7500 ppm, the total EPR-active Ce"3"+ and optical absorption signals increase linearly with Ce concentration; by contrast, the PL intensity saturates at fairly low Ce concentrations (1000 ppm Ce). We suggest that the nonlinear behavior of the PL arises from the presence of nonradiative deexcitation pathways such as defects associated with Ce sites, or Ce endash Ce pairs. copyright 1996 American Institute of Physics.
The Multiconjugate Adaptive optics Demonstrator (MAD) has successfully demonstrated on sky both Star Oriented (SO) and Layer Oriented (LO) multiconjugate adaptive optics techniques. While SO has been realized using 3 Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors (WFS), we designed a multi-pyramid WFS for the LO. The MAD bench accommodates both WFSs and a selecting mirror allows choosing which sensor to use. In the LO approach up to 8 pyramids can be placed on as many reference stars and their light is co-added optically on two different CCDs conjugated at ground and to an high layer. In this paper we discuss LO commissioning phase and on sky operations.
Both simulations and recent experiments conducted at the Advanced Photon Source showed that the performance of liquid-nitrogen-cooled single-silicon crystal monochromators can degrade in a very rapid nonlinear fashion as the power and for power density is increased. As a further step towards improving the performance of silicon optics, we propose cooling with liquid helium, which dramatically improves the thermal properties of silicon beyond that of liquid nitrogen and brings the performance of single silicon-crystal-based synchrotrons radiation optics up to the ultimate limit. The benefits of liquid helium cooling as well as some of the associated technical challenges will be discussed, and results of thermal and structural finite elements simulations comparing the performance of silicon monochromators cooled with liquid nitrogen and helium will be given.
This paper summarizes the IHY and BSS activities in West Asia and their importance in many Arab countries, such as Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc. BSS future plans for some of these countries are as follows: It is proposed by the astronomers from the Arabian Gulf Region to build the Gulf Observatory on top of Jabal Shams (2980 msl) which will have a 2-3 m optical telescope. Libya signed a contract with a French company for building an observatory which will have a 2-m optical robotic telescope. It is also proposed to rebuild the Iraqi National Astronomical Observatory (INAO) which was destroyed during the two wars. It is planned to build a 5-6 m optical telescope and a small solar telescope on the top of Korek mountain, which has excellent observing conditions.
A wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer having optical path lengths between a fiber array and a Fourier transform lens, and between a dispersion grating and the lens equal to the focal length of the lens. The optical path lengths reduce losses due to angular acceptance mismatch in the multiplexer. Close orientation of the fiber array about the optical axis and the use of a holographic dispersion grating reduces other losses in the system. Multi-exposure holographic dispersion gratings enable the multiplexer/demultiplexer for extremely broad-band simultaneous transmission and reflection operation. Individual Bragg plane sets recorded in the grating are dedicated to and operate efficiently on discrete wavelength ranges.
The effect of both dopant and neutron radiation on the optical and thermal properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been studied. The doped samples with Pb and Cd were irradiated with a 14 MeV-neutron fluence in the range 7-28.8 x 10"9 n/cm"2. The optical energy gap E_o_p exhibits a significant dependence on the type of additive and the neutron irradiation fluence. The specific heat at constant pressure C_p showed a nonmonotonical change with radiation fluence. The results of this study show that PVC:Pb behaves as a crystalline structure which is only slightly affected by neutron irradiation, while PVC:Cd is highly affected. (author).
Abstract Here we propose a software for the estimation of the occupied area and volume of fungal cultures. This software was developed using a Matlab platform and allows analysis of high-definition images from optical, electronic or atomic force microscopes. In a first step, a single hypha grown on potato dextrose agar was monitored using optical microscopy to estimate the change in occupied area and volume. Weight measurements were carried out to compare them with the estimated volume, revealing a slight difference of less than 1.5%. Similarly, samples from two different solid-state fermentation cultures were analyzed using images from a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an environmental SEM (ESEM). Occupied area and volume were calculated for both samples, and the results obtained w...
Electronic energy bands of LaH"2 and NdH"2 have been calculated by the composite-wave variational version of the augmented plane wave method. Crystal potentials for both the hydrides were constructed by the superposition of the atomic potentials of Herman and Skillman. From the band structure data, density of states, joint density of states, optical absorption spectra and Fermi surfaces of these two hydrides have been calculated. The results of the optical studies have been successfully compared with the experimental results of Weaver et al. From the theoretical point of view the present results for LaH"2 have been satisfactorily compared with the results of Gupta et al. Since no theoretical calculation exists for ndH"2, theoretical comparison, in this case, was not possible for NdH"2. (author).
Calculations relating to two experiments that demonstrate coherent control of preformed rubidium-85 molecules in a magneto-optical trap using ultrafast laser pulses are presented. In the first experiment, it is shown that pre-associated molecules in an incoherent mixture of states can be made to oscillate coherently using a single ultrafast pulse. A novel mechanism that can transfer molecular population to more deeply bound vibrational levels is used in the second. Optimal parameters of the control pulse are presented for the application of the mechanism to molecules in a magneto-optical trap. The calculations make use of an experimental determination of the initial state of molecules photoassociated by the trapping lasers in the magneto-optical trap and use shaped pulses consistent with a standard ultrafast laser system.
We study the ground state of an ideal coupled two-component gas of ultracold atoms in a one dimensional optical lattice, either bosons or fermions. Due to the internal two-level structure of the atoms, the Brillouin zone is twice as large as imposed by the periodicity of the lattice potential. This is reflected in the Bloch dispersion curves, where the energy bands regularly possess several local minima. As a consequence, when the system parameters are tuned across a resonance condition, a non-zero temperature topological first order phase transition occurs which arises from an interplay between initernal and kinetic atomic energies. It is shown that these phenomena are also captured for two and three dimensional optical lattices.
In the present study the optical properties of co-evaporated indium sulfide thin films are investigated. Before being optically characterized, the composition as well as the crystalline properties of the film have been checked with the help of energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The optical absorption coefficient ? of this indium sulfide film has been deduced from reflectivity R(?) and transmission T(?) measurements. The fit of the curve representing ?(h?) suggests that the ?-In2S3 has an indirect bandgap of 2.01?eV. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed on this indium sulfide compound, using TB-LMTO code. Through these band structure investigations, an indirect bandgap is predicted as observed experimentally. The top of the valen...
Linear-optical passive (LOP) devices and photon counters are sufficient to implement universal quantum computation with single photons, and particular schemes have already been proposed. In this paper we discuss the link between the algebraic structure of LOP transformations and quantum computing. We first show how to decompose the Fock space of N optical modes in finite-dimensional subspaces that are suitable for encoding strings of qubits and invariant under LOP transformations (these subspaces are related to the spaces of irreducible unitary representations of U (N). Next we show how to design in algorithmic fashion LOP circuits which implement any quantum circuit deterministically. We also present some simple examples, such as the circuits implementing a cNOT gate and a Bell state generator/analyser.
Thienyl oxazoles and thienyl isoxazoles, are composite molecules having two subsystems thiophene and oxazole molecules connected together by a single bond that they have 13 isomers. They are potential candidates for many kinds of applications such as OLED and nonlinear optical materials. Initially equilibrium geometries of title compounds have been obtained without any restriction using density functional theory with 6-311++g(2d,p) basis set. We obtained structural parameters, dipole moment and electronic energy. At the second stage, we have calculated some electronic and nonlinear optical properties such as HOMO and LUMO energies, polarizability, anisotropic polarizability and hyper polarizability using same level of theory.
The quantum nature of the electromagnetic field imposes a fundamental limit on the sensitivity of optical precision measurements such as spectroscopy, microscopy, and interferometry. The so-called quantum limit is set by the zero-point fluctuations of the electromagnetic field, which constrain the precision with which optical signals can be measured. In the world of precision measurement, laser-interferometric gravitational wave (GW) detectors are the most sensitive position meters ever operated, capable of measuring distance changes on the order of 10^-18 m RMS over kilometer separations caused by GWs from astronomical sources. The sensitivity of currently operational and future GW detectors is limited by quantum optical noise. Here we demonstrate a 44% improvement in displacement sensitivity of a prototype GW detector with suspended quasi-free mirrors at frequencies where the sensitivity is shot-noise-limited, by ...
Purpose. To validate a protocol for creating virtual models to be used in the construction of solid prototypes useful for the planning-simulation of maxillo-facial surgery, in particular for very complex anatomical and pathologic problems. To optimize communications between the radiology, engineering and surgical laboratories. Methods and materials. We studied 16 patients with different clinical problems of the maxillo-facial district. Exams were performed with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and single slice computed tomography (SDCT) with axial scans and collimation of 0.5-2 mm, and reconstruction interval of 1 mm. Subsequently we performed 2D multiplanar reconstructions and 3D volume-rendering reconstructions. We exported the DICOM images to the engineering laboratory, to recognize and isolate the bony structures by software. With these data the solid prototypes were generated using stereolitography. To date, surgery has been ...
Colerectal cancer (CRC) is the second commonest cancer in the Western World. Successful treatment relies significantly on accurate detection and staging of primary disease as well as the early identification of the presence and extent of recurrence. Morphological imaging techniques, particularly computed tomography (CT), are well established and widely available to carry out these tasks in addition to predicting and monitoring response to therapy. This review analyses the current inadequacies for imaging CRC and critically assesses the potential role of functional imaging with positron emission tomography (PET). It was reviewed the current literature, to use the experience from the firs 1000 PET studies carried out at the institution and the perspective of surgical colleagues. It was found little evidence for the use of 2-["1"8F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET for screening asymptomatic individuals and current modalities appear better suited ...
The seismic reflection exploration technique which is one of the geophysical methods for oil exploration became effectively to image the subsurface structure with rapid development of computer. As a tool to perform seismic inversion, seismic forward modeling program using ray tracing should be developed. In this study, we have developed the algorithm that is to calculate the travel time of the complex geological structure using ray tracing by subdividing the geologic model into triangular element (finite element) having the constant velocity. We can analytically calculate Jacobian with some information by this current ray tracing. With this Jacobian, we will develop new algorithm which is to obtain geological properties and to image the subsurface. After subdividing subsurface into triangular element we shoot off the ray into subsurface by the Snell`s law. And then after taking the ray path which is similar to proper assumption we can calculate travel time. With this new ray tracing ...
A real-time neutron radiography facility was constructed including the capability of neutron tomography. The neutron beam was measured for total neutron flux ((1.0 +/- 0.2) x 10/sup 11/ m/(m/sup 2/-sec)), gold cadmium ratio (52 +/- 3) and effective neutron temperature (83/sup 0/C +/- 8/sup 0/C). The angular divergence or nonparallelism of the neutron beam was measured to be 2.3/sup 0/ +/- 0.1/sup 0/ thereby providing a means of quantifying the collimator effectiveness. The resolution capabilities of both static film and real-time neutron radiographs were quantified using a Fourier transform algorithm to calculate the modulation transfer function of both types of radiographs. The contrast sensitivity of both types of radiographs. The contrast sensitivity of both types of radiographs was measured as 3.1% for film and 4.0% for real-time radiographs. Two tomography algorithms, the simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique (SIRT) and the ...
A real-time neutron radiography facility was constructed including the capability of neutron tomography. The neutron beam was measured for total neutron flux ((1.0 +/- 0.2) x 10"1"1 m/(m"2-sec)), gold cadmium ratio (52 +/- 3) and effective neutron temperature (83"0C +/- 8"0C). The angular divergence or nonparallelism of the neutron beam was measured to be 2.3"0 +/- 0.1"0 thereby providing a means of quantifying the collimator effectiveness. The resolution capabilities of both static film and real-time neutron radiographs were quantified using a Fourier transform algorithm to calculate the modulation transfer function of both types of radiographs. The contrast sensitivity of both types of radiographs. The contrast sensitivity of both types of radiographs was measured as 3.1% for film and 4.0% for real-time radiographs. Two tomography algorithms, the simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique (SIRT) and the convolution method, were ...
Computerized tomography-guided neurolytic splanchnic nerve block is a technique for relieving abdominal cancer pain; the goal is the alcoholic neurolytic interruption of the sensitive structures in retroperitoneal space. Computerized tomography yields accurate anatomical detailing and the course for needle placement and alcohol spread. January, 1993, to July, 1996, twenty-one bilateral splanchnic nerve blocks were performed through the posterior access. Forty-eight hours after alcoholism. 14 patients (66%) had complete pain regression; 52% of the patients needed no analgesics for 6 to 54 days and only 9 patients (42%) needed another low opioid therapy. Complications included hypotension and diarrhea in all cases. One had a cardiac arrest and diet 8 days after the procedure. There were no other complications. The whole procedure usually lasted 60 min (range: 45 to 90 min). Splanchnic nerve neurolysis is a useful treatment in the patients with ...
The authors investigated the role of Computerized Tomography in guiding fine needle biopsy (FNB) in small (2 2 cm in diameter for CT-guided FNB sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy. Cytologic specimens were positive for malignancy in 40/52 cases (76.9%) and negative in 12 (23.1%). Clinical-surgical follow-up confirmed all the positive cytologic findings (40 cases), while 2 of the extant 12 cases were false negatives (95.20% sensitivity, 100% specificity and 96.15% diagnostic accuracy). 158 of 195 nodules > 2 cm in diameter and with clinical surgical follow-up (81.3%) were positive for malignancy and 34 were negative (17.43%) (98.75% sensitivity, 97.14% specificity and 98.46% diagnostic accuracy). Pneumothorax occurred in 33 patients (16.5%) with nodules > 2 cm in diameter as a complication of biopsy. Hemoptysis occurred in 15 patients (7.5%). In the whole group of lung lesions, the complications were pneumothorax in 80 patients (4.1%), hemoptysis ...
The WIDeField telescope for Gamma-ray burst Early Timing (WIDGET) is used for a fully automated, ultra-wide-field survey aimed at detecting the prompt optical emission associated with Gamma-ray Bursts (GRBs). WIDGET surveys the HETE-2 and Swift/BAT pointing directions covering a total field of view of 62 degree x 62 degree every 10 secounds using an unfiltered system. This monitoring survey allows exploration of the optical emission before the gamma-ray trigger. The unfiltered magnitude is well converted to the SDSS r' system at a 0.1 mag level. Since 2004, WIDGET has made a total of ten simultaneous and one pre-trigger GRB observations. The efficiency of synchronized observation with HETE-2 is four times better than that of Swift. There has been no bright optical emission similar to that from GRB 080319B. The statistical analysis implies that GRB080319B is a rare event. This paper summarizes the design and operation of the ...
This paper reports on the protection of opening that are exposed to the environment in nuclear facilities which presents an almost overwhelming engineering challenge. Intakes and outflows must permit the passage of large volumes of air or water without impeding their flow, and they are often exposed to corrosive salt and chemicals. An intrusion detection sensor that is intended to protect these openings must be capable of operating reliably under environmentally harsh conditions, and at the same time either provide a physical delay barrier or attach to an existing barrier. A new fiber optic sensor technology has now been developed specifically for protecting environmentally exposed openings. This sensor uses a fiber optic cable embedded in a neoprene rubber frame which is reinforced with Kevlar threads or braided steel cable. The sensor is configured in a mesh pattern with openings sufficiently large to permit air or water to flow unimpeded, ...
Apr 20, 2009 ... "YY" is the 2-digit filter identifier .... In our example you can see a point- like optical/UV source in each of the filters at the ... The "sigma" paramter gives the detection threshold in terms of Gaussian sigma. ...
We report results of the 2006 April multi-wavelengths campaign of SS 433, focusing on X-ray data observed with Suzaku at two orbital phases (in- and out-of- eclipse) and simultaneous optical spectroscopic observations. By analyzing the Fe25 K_alpha lines originating from the jets, we detect rapid variability of the Doppler shifts, dz/dt ~ 0.019/0.33 day^-1, which is larger than those expected from the precession and/or nodding motion. This phenomenon probably corresponding to "jitter" motions observed for the first time in X-rays, for which significant variability both in the jet angle and intrinsic speed is required. From the time lag of optical Doppler curves from those of X-rays, we estimate the distance of the optical jets from the base to be ~(3-4) \\times 10^14 cm. Based on the radiatively cooling jet model, we determine the innermost temperature of the jets to be T_0 = 13 +/- 2 keV and 16 +/- 3 keV (the average of ...
The highly irradiated transiting exoplanet, HAT-P-7b, currently provides one of the best opportunities for studying planetary emission in the optical and infrared wavelengths. We observe six near-consecutive secondary eclipses of HAT-P-7b at optical wavelengths with the EPOXI spacecraft. We place an upper limit on the relative eclipse depth of 0.055% (95% confidence). We also analyze Spitzer observations of the same target in the infrared, obtaining secondary eclipse depths of 0.098+/-0.017%, 0.159+/-0.022%, 0.245+/-0.031% and 0.225+/-0.052% in the 3.6, 4.5, 5.8 and 8.0 micron IRAC bands respectively. We combine these measurements with the recently published Kepler secondary eclipse measurement, and generate atmospheric models for the day-side of the planet that are consistent with both the optical and infrared measurements. The data are best fit by models with a temperature inversion, as expected from the high incident ...
Microstructure of the teeth of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus was investigated using optical microscopy, SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and SIMS (secondary ion mass...Full Text Available
The simple device for scanning image is described. It has much in common with usual TV camera, with an electron beam replaced by an optical one. After the general description of the device, we present a simple experimental illustration.
PurposeTo investigate the different components of full-field flash electroretinogram (ERG) responses in adult albino and pigmented rats at various time intervals following optic...Full Text Available
tion and the Copenhagen symposium in many regards heralded the birth of modern marine bio-optics and the .... given to conducting a pigment intercomparison based on .... assignment of personnel and equipment, so the Hout Bay deployments were suspended. ...... submarine light field. Upwelling radiance is measured at ...
Radiation damage of the final optical components in an Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) reactor is a crucial issue for development of a laser-fusion reactor. To some extent, this problem will be encountered in the National Ignition Facility (NIF), but there, the integrated radiation dose will be considerably less than that encountered in a future reactor. This extremely harsh radiation environment necessitates shielding the ICF optics from direct neutron and x-ray bombardment. Several approaches have been suggested, such as the use of grazing incidence metal mirrors or fused silica wedge deflectors. While metal mirrors can withstand a larger radiation dose, their focusing qualities pose problems. Therefore wedge deflectors, originally suggested by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) staff, represent a promising alternative. Radiation hardening of the fused silica deflectors using a new combined thermal/optical ...
ASTROSAT, India's first dedicated astronomy satellite is slated for launch in 2007. The primary science objective of ASTROSAT is to explore the Universe using broad-band instruments covering optical, UV, soft X-ray and hard X-ray studies
We demonstrate by using low-temperature high-resolution spectroscopy that red-shifted mutants of green fluorescent protein are photo-interconverted among three conformations and are, therefore, not...Full Text Available
Laser-induced change is studied of the optical absorption and luminescence due to F-H pairs generated by an electron pulse in SrF_2. It is found that laser irradiation near 2.34 eV at a delay of 26 #mu#s after an electron pulse by which F-H pairs are generated reduces the component I of the pairs that has a decay time of 59 #mu#s and optical absorption bands at 2.34 and 4.13 eV and enhances the component II that has a decay time of 7.7 ms and has optical absorption bands at 2.7 and 3.35 eV. Laser irradiation near 2.7 eV at a delay of 4 ms after the electron pulse is found to induce the reverse reaction. Studies of dichroism of the laser-induced reduction and enhancement of the optical absorption bands and the luminescence reveal that the direction of the #SIGMA#-#SIGMA# transition of the F_2"- molecular ion is converted by the transformation from I to II and vice versa. It is suggested that the ...
One of the most challenging topics in the area of organic electronic devices is the growth of transparent electrodes onto flexible polymeric substrates that will be characterized by enhanced conductivity in combination with high optical transparency. An essential aspect for these materials is their synthesis and/or microstructure which define the transparency, the stability and the interfacial chemistry which in turn determine the performance and stability of the organic electronic devices, such as organic light emitting diodes, organic photovoltaics, etc. In this work, we will discuss the latest advances in the growth of organic (e.g. PEDOT:PSS) and inorganic (e.g. zinc oxide-ZnO, indium tin oxide-ITO) conductive materials and their deposition onto flexible polymeric substrates. We will compare the optical, structural, nano-mechanical and nano-topographical properties of the inorganic and organic materials and we investigate the effect of ...
Scanning confocal laser microscopy (SCLM) was used to visualize fully hydrated microbial biofilms. The improved rejection of out-of-focus haze and the increased resolution of SCLM made it preferable...Full Text Available
The optical properties and microstructure of germanium (Ge) films, prepared by ion-assisted deposition (IAD) process, were investigated. The Ge films were deposited on sapphire and silicon substrates, with and without simultaneous Ar+ bombardment. Higher index films, with a refractive index 7.7% larger than that of the single crystalline Ge wafer, were obtained with the IAD process. The density of the IAD film could be 1.5% greater than that of the e-beam film. The results of the heat treatment indicated that the optical and structural properties of the IAD films were more stable. Ge nano-crystallites could be observed under high ion power density, which induced a crystalline structure in the Ge thin films. The average size of the nano-crystallites, as determined from both the X-ray diffraction data and the transmission electron microscopy images, showed that no systematic change had occurred. The results presented in this work suggest that the ...
Cadmium telluride single crystals were subjected to multiple-energy boron ion implants with total doses up to 1.5 x 10 sq cm. Various diagnostic techniques were used to assess the structural and electronic properties of these crystals in their as-implante...
Objectives1. The study of the automatic alignment of electrically charged optical fibres.~%~~%~2. The design and construction of a prototype system for assembly of the fibres.~%~~%~3. The fabrication of a proof-of-principle 4-by-4 fibre array.~%~~%~4. The test and characterisation of the prototype fibre bundle in terms of translational and angular positioning accuracy.~%~~%~5. A paper design of a full-scale automated system.~%~~%~6. Enable commercial exploitation.~%~DescriptionThis multidisciplinary programme aims to investigate and develop an 'adventurous' process for manufacturing 2-D optical fibre arrays, with at least an order of magnitude improvement in the positional and angular tolerances of the mono-mode fibres compared to conventional techniques. Manufacturable, dense 2-D optical fibre arrays are essential for a wide variety ...
A new gadolinium chelating NIR fluorescent molecular probe increases T1 relaxivity of water protons, facilitating combined optical and magnetic resonance imaging.
To evaluate the yield of SPIR sequences with fat suppression in the diagnosis of optic nerve lesions. T1 and T2 weighted fat suppressed SPIR imaging of the optic nerve improves anatomical definition, lesion detection and characterization in optic nerve conditions. [Italian] L'articolo analizza i vantaggi ricavabili dall'utilizzazione delle sequenze SPIR nella documentazione del decorso del nervo ottico e delle sue alterazioni nei pazienti con sospetto clinico e strumentale di malattia retrobulbare. L'utilizzo delle sequenze SPIR consente ottimale visualizzazione del nervo ottico e delle sue eventuali alterazioni senza gli artefatti che limitavano la qualita' delle immagini nelle prime sequenze RM con soppressione del segnale del grasso.
The ability of both human and hen egg white lysozymes to lyse Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4 was investigated. Lysis was followed optically at 540 nm by measuring the percent reduction in turbidity...Full Text Available
The composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) was examined in the developing lens and optic cup (stages 11-16) of the long-tailed monkey (Macaca fascicularis) using peroxidase immunocytochemistry....Full Text Available
BackgroundRecent research highlights the promise of remotely sensed aerosol optical depth (AOD) as a proxy for ground-level particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤...Full Text Available
New developments in fluorophores as well as in detection methods have fueled the rapid growth of optical imaging in the life sciences. Commercial widefield microscopes generally use arc lamps, excitation/emission...Full Text Available
The major activities of the various Institute's departments are highlighted. The following departments are included: (i) Tokamak; (ii) Pulse plasma systems; (iii) Thermal plasma; (iv) Materials engineering; (v) Laser plasma; and (vi) Optical diagnosis. (P.A.)
In vivo two-photon imaging through the pupil of the primate eye has the potential to become a useful tool for functional imaging of the retina. Two-photon excited fluorescence images...Full Text Available
Electronic and structural properties of antiphase boundaries in group III-V semiconductor compounds have been receiving increased attention due to the potential to integration of optically-active III-V...Full Text Available
Elastic scattering of 27.2 MeV #alpha# particles on "4"0Ca has been investigated. Differential cross sections have been measured in the angular range from 10 deg to 175 deg in the lab. system. The theoretical analysis has proceeded from the proposition that the results of a calculation based on the optical model in the range of small angles (less than 20 deg for "4"0Ca) are independent of parameters and shape of the potential employed. Elastic scattering of #alpha# particles at angles up to 50 deg has been calculated using three sets of the optical potential parameters in the energy range 23.37-28.92 MeV. In the range of small angles a rather similar behaviour of the calculated curves can be observed whereas in the range of medium and large angles these curves behave very differently. The success in the reproduction of the angular distributions for the entire energy range is indicative of the weak energy dependence of the ...
A two-channel optical system has been developed to provide spatially resolved simultaneous imaging of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) phosphorescence and photosensitizer (PS) fluorescence...Full Text Available
Various physico-chemical tissue optical clearing (TOC) methods have been suggested to maximize photon density in tissue. In order to enhance photon density, a compression-controlled low-level...Full Text Available
Photon migration provides sensitive tissue oximetry in which the optical pathlength is known. Phase array gives the precise location of a subnanomolar amount of hidden absorber in highly scattering medium. PMID:8079713
Quantitative metallography is often used to confirm the proper processing of aerospace metallic materials. A microstructural feature of great importance for titanium alloys processed in the alpha-beta phase field is the volume fraction of primary alpha. S...
The development of modern techniques for the cooling and the manipulation of atoms in recent years, and the possibility to create Bose-Einstein condensates and degenerate Fermi gases and to load them into regular optical lattices or disordered optical potentials, has evoked new interest for the disorder-induced localization of ultra-cold atoms. This work studies the transport properties of matter waves in disordered optical potentials, which are also known as speckle potentials. The effect of correlated disorder on localization is first studied numerically in the framework of the Anderson model. The relevant transport parameters in the configuration average over many different realizations of the speckle potential are then determined analytically, using self-consistent diagrammatic perturbation techniques. This allows to make predictions for a possible experimental observation of coherent transport phenomena for cold atoms ...
Laser devices are currently in widespread use in particular by armed forces for different tasks. Electro-optical sensors as well as unprotected human eyes are extremely sensitive to laser radiation and can be permanently damaged from direct or reflected beams. Laser damage depends on the interaction between the laser beam and the atmosphere in which it traverses. The atmospheric conditions, including the range, terrain features, turbulence, and atmospheric particulates, may alter the laser's effect on different electro-optical devices and systems. When a laser beam passes through the atmosphere the optical turbulence affects the beam. As a result, temporal intensity fluctuations (scintillations) or spatial variations in intensity within a beam cross-section occur. Atmospheric scintillations pose a safety problem because an observer or sensor can be subjected to the risk of a localized irradiance (local focusing effect) much ...
This paper presents experimental investigations of the all-optical synchronization of a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) laser self-pulsating at 40GHz on various injected bit-rate signals. Even though there is no modulation applied to this laser, it exhibits a modulation of its output emission, measured at 39.7GHz with a linewidth of 30MHz. Such performance is exploited in all-optical clock recovery for a return-to-zero data stream at 40Gbit/s. The SP-DBR laser wavelength and the injected signal wavelength are 10nm apart. All-optical synchronization is demonstrated at 40Gbit/s with a linewidth of less than 20MHz for injected signals at 10 and 20Gbit/s, respectively. Thus the SP-DBR laser proves to be very versatile and can be synchronized on various bit-rate data signals.
... and technology-. The United States National Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors [ 11 still ... Moreover, higher volumes of production, better manufacturing capabilities and ... energy-efficient, reliable, high-performance, embedded (real-time), highly miniaturized, .... Optical Computing, Storage, and Communications. ...
Because of its high price, the extra virgin olive oil is frequently target for adulteration with lower quality oils. This paper presents an innovative optical technique capable of quantifying the adulteration of extra virgin olive oil caused by lowergrade olive oils. It relies on spectral fingerprinting the test liquid by means of diffuse-light absorption spectroscopy carried out by optical fiber technology in the wide 400-1700 nm spectral range. Then, a smart multivariate processing of spectroscopic data is applied for immediate prediction of adulterant concentration.
The previously unknown property of the optical speckle pattern reported. The interference of a speckle with the counterpropagating phase-conjugated (PC) speckle wave produces a randomly distributed ensemble of a twisted entities (ropes) surrounding optical vortex lines. These entities appear in a wide range of a randomly chosen speckle parameters inside the phase-conjugating mirrors regardless to an internal physical mechanism of the wave-front reversal. These numerically generated interference patterns are relevant to the Brillouin PC mirrors and to a four-wave mixing PC mirrors based upon laser trapped ultracold atomic cloud.
The phase space beam analyzer is a measurement instrument that is applied in laser technology to perform analyses of the spatial and angular distribution of rays. We are interested in this instrument as a means to characterize non-coherent light sources. In this context, a closer look at the tolerances of this optical instrument was considered useful. Having a so-called quadrupole lens as a key element, the phase space beam analyzer is a device that features anamorphic optical properties. To describe these anamorphic properties, recurrence was made to a description by extended ray-transfer matrices. This formalism allows for an analysis of the alignment tolerances of the phase space beam analyzer and facilitates a study of the sensitivities of the instrument. The analysis is complemented using numerical ray tracing.
During the last few years radio and X-ray astronomers have produced high-resolution imagery of the remnant of Cas A. Since the most recent published optical photographs of Cas A date back to 1975 it seemed worthwhile to present new optical results based on plates obtained with the 5-m Hale telescope in 1976, 1977, and 1980. The major changes that have taken place in Cas A during the last decade are: (1) A broken shell of fast-moving knots has formed along the southern and SW rim of the remnant and (2) A number of blue (oxygen-rich) filaments have developed to the north of the centre of Cas A. (Auth.).
Magnetic materials such as yttrium iron garnet (YIG) are of great importance for its magneto-optic properties and for their potential applications in the domain of optical telecommunications. The deposition of thin films of YIG, on quartz or GGG (gadolinium gallium garnet) substrate, was performed using radio frequency non reactive magnetron sputtering, followed by high temperature annealing which is needed to enhance the crystallinity of the layers. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry RBS was used to determine the thickness and stoichiometry of the performed layers in order to investigate correlations between growth conditions and the quality of the final material. RBS measurements showed the influence of the deposition time and the temperature substrate on the film growth and its stoichiometry. (author)
Atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition system is built. The electrical and optical characteristics of the APPECVD system is given. The system is used to deposit conductive polymers and nano composites onto glass and metal surfaces. The morphological, optical, chemical and electrical characteristics of deposited surfaces are investigated using SEM, AFM four probe deposition purposes. The photovoltaic applications of plasma deposited polymers and nonconsumption are compared with deposited with electrochemical methods show different results. The electrical, chemical and morphological structures of the samples will be given.
This letter describes the first lasing experiment of the heterostructure semiconductor Raman laser with lateral confinement of both the Stokes and pump fields. It has a GaP Raman active layer with thickness of 10 ..mu..m and Al/sub 0.1/Ga/sub 0.9/P cladding layers. The stripe of the active layer has been fabricated by a plasma etching technique. Steps should be taken to realize the semiconductor Raman laser pumped by an injection laser, applicable to wideband optical communication.
We have developed a novel laser ray-tracing method to measure aberrations in optical systems. It consists of delivering narrow laser pencils (by a laser scanner), recording the spots that are formed on the image plane (with a CCD camera), and computing the position of each centroid. This approach could be considered an experimental (approximate) implementation of standard numerical ray tracing. Several tests and experiments, including a direct comparison with a Hartmann-Shack wave-front sensor, provided highly satisfactory results that confirmed the validity of the method and revealed potential advantages. PMID:18073906
Abstract. The modification of kaon and antikaon properties in the interior of (proto-)neutron stars is investigated using a chiral SU(3) model. The parameters of the model are fitted to nuclear-matter saturation properties, baryon octet vacuum masses, hyperon optical potentials and low-energy kaon-nucleon scattering lengths. We study the kaon/antikaon medium modification and explore the possibility of antikaon condensation in (proto-)neutron star matter at zero as well as finite temperature/entropy and neutrino content. The effect of hyperons on kaon and antikaon optical potentials is also investigated at different stages of the neutron star evolution.
A possible birefringence effect that arises in quantum gravity leads to a frequency-dependent rotation of the polarization angle of linearly polarized emission from distant sources. Here we use the UV/optical polarization data of the afterglows of GRB 020813 and GRB 021004 to constrain this effect. We find an upper limit on the Gambini & Pulin birefringence parameter $| \\eta | <2\\times 10^{-7}$. This limit is of 3 orders better than the previous limits from observations of AGNs and of the Crab pulsar. Much stronger limits may be obtained by the future observation of polarization of the prompt $\\gamma$-rays.
The feasibility of a high-energy electron cooling device has been studied through tests on a prototype of the electron device. The apparatus consists of a pulsed ((20-60) keV, 2#mu#s) electron gun, a drift region 1 m long and of a depressed collector for recovering the electron energy. Tests on beam optics and energy recovery have been performed, a high-energy recovery efficiency has been attained. Experimental results are discussed in this paper.
The half-metallic Heusler alloy Ni{sub 2}MnIn is of high interest for use in spin electronics since at the Ni{sub 2}MnIn/InAs interface a spin polarization of 100% is predicted. We prepare high-quality thin films of 20-60nm thickness by co-evaporation and DC magnetron sputtering. Point-contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy yields a spin polarization of up to 54%. By spectral generalized magneto-optical ellipsometry, the dielectric and magneto-optical properties are determined and ferromagnetic behavior below the Curie temperature T{sub C}=318K is proved.
Long cylindrical mirror sections with an 'Alliptical' cross- section and an interfoci distance of approximately 1 m can be produced by means of diamond fly cutting. However, because of the finite tool radius, the generated profile is basically not an ellipse, but an equidistant ellipse or 'Allipse'. By numerical ray tracing analysis two unique conjugated 'A-points' can be found that are optically nearly equivalent with pure elliptical focal points. A reversed modeling procedure is used to predict the optimum machine configuration for producing just the required ellipse sections. Optical figure quality, focal line position and straightness are tested by a simple deflectometer set-up.
In this project we determined primary production and optical variability in the shelf and slope waters off of Cape Hatteras, N.C. These processes were addressed in conjunction with other Ocean Margins Program investigators, during the Spring Transition period and during Summer. We found that there were significant differences in measured parameters between Spring and Summer, enabling us to develop seasonally specific carbon production and ecosystem models as well as seasonal and regional algorithm improvements for use in remote sensing applications.
The existence of characteristic longitudinal optical and transverse optical phonons of cubic ZnO in ZnO nano-tetrapods is determined by Raman spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. Stacking sequence change at the boundary of the core and legs is also identified by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Based on this experimental and theoretical evidence, we demonstrate that the lattice structure of ZnO nano-tetrapods is hierarchical with a zinc blende core connecting to four wurtzite legs. Furthermore, we establish the atomic configuration and propose a formation mechanism induced by Laplace pressure in the initial growth stage of ZnO nano-tetrapods.
All-optical envelope detection of a 5 GHz 200 Mbit/s modulated radio frequency signal is achieved using a 650 nm resonant cavity light emitting diode. Error-free transmission is achieved over a 50 m-long link of 1 mm diameter graded index polymer optical fibre (POF). The presented system has potential applications in low cost and low complexity short range wireless and wireline POF-based transmission links.