Compound Transparent Ceramics and Methods of Preparation Thereof
Joel P. Hollingsworth, Joshua D. Kuntz, Thomas F. Soules, Richard L. Landingham
U.S. Patent 8,329,090 B2
December 11, 2012
In one method of preparing a composite transparent ceramic preform, a suspension of oxide particles is first formed in a solvent that includes a dispersant but does not include a gelling agent. The suspension is added to a shaped mold, and the mixture is uniformly cured until stable. A second suspension of oxide particles is formed in a second solvent that includes a second dispersant but does not include a gelling agent. This suspension is added to the stable first suspension in a second shaped mold, and the mixture is uniformly cured until stable. Other methods of preparing a composite transparent ceramic preform are also described.
Systems for Increasing the Sensitivity of Gamma-Ray Imagers
Lucian Mihailescu, Kai M. Vetter, Daniel H. Chivers
U.S. Patent 8,330,114 B2
December 11, 2012
These systems increase the imaging resolution and granularity of double-sided, segmented semiconductor detectors. The detectors are used as either Compton cameras or position-sensitive radiation detectors in imaging systems such as single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography. They are also used in coded apertures, multipinhole imagers, and other spatial or temporal modulated imagers.
Hybrid Fiber-Rod Laser
Raymond J. Beach, Jay W. Dawson, Michael J. Messerly, Christopher P. J. Barty
U.S. Patent 8,335,420 B2
December 18, 2012
Single or near-single transverse-mode waveguide definition is produced using a homogeneous medium to transport both the pump excitation light and the generated laser light. When the pump deposition and resulting thermal power generation in the waveguide device are properly configured, a thermal focusing power is established that supports perturbation-stable guided wave propagation of an appropriately configured single or near-single transverse-mode laser beam or pulse.
Radial Reflection Diffraction Tomography
Sean K. Lehman
U.S. Patent 8,335,555 B2
December 18, 2012
A wave-based tomographic imaging method and apparatus are used for nondestructive evaluation. The apparatus includes one or more oriented transmitting and receiving elements that rotate radially outward. At successive angular locations at a fixed radius, a predetermined transmitting element can launch a primary field, and one or more predetermined receiving elements can collect the backscattered field in a “pitch and catch” operation. A Hilbert space inverse wave algorithm can construct images of the received scattered energy waves using operating modes chosen for a particular application. Applications include improved intravascular imaging, borehole tomography, and nondestructive evaluation of parts with existing access holes.
Transparent Ceramics and Methods of Preparation Thereof
Joel P. Hollingsworth, Joshua D. Kuntz, Zachary M. Seeley, Thomas F. Soules
U.S. Patent 8,338,322 B2
December 25, 2012
In one method of preparing a transparent ceramic preform, a suspension of oxide particles is formed in a solvent. The suspension includes a dispersant but does not include a gelling agent. The suspension is uniformly cured to form a preform of gelled suspension. In another method, a mixture is created of inorganic particles—a solvent and a dispersant—that have a mean diameter of less than about 2,000 nanometers. A gelling agent is not added. The mixture is agitated, added to a mold, and cured.