An X-ray single-pixel camera based on X-ray computational correlated imaging, which belongs to the technical research fields of X-ray computational correlated imaging and X-ray single-pixel imaging. The X-ray single-pixel camera includes: an X-ray modulation system (3), an X-ray modulation control system (4), an X-ray single-pixel detector (5), a main control system unit (6), a time synchronization system (7) and a computational imaging system (8). The main control system unit (6) controls each module through software; the time synchronization system (7) controls synchronization of each module for automatic collection; and the computational imaging system (8) is configured to perform a second-order correlated computation or a compressed sensing computation or a deep learning computation on the signals collected by the X-ray single-pixel detector (5) and a preset modulation matrix, so as to obtain an image of an object under test. The X-ray single-pixel camera based on X-ray computational correlated imaging, provided by the present invention, realizes single-pixel imaging, greatly reduces the sampling number while ensuring the imaging quality, and reduces the X-ray radiation dose in an imaging process.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a sample inspection device and a sample inspection method, whereby noise is removed from a detection signal, and a generated electron beam is utilized effectively for inspection. A sample inspection device according to the present invention is provided with a light source for emitting frequency-modulated light, a photocathode for emitting an electron beam in response to receiving the frequency-modulated light, a detector for detecting electrons emitted from a sample irradiated by the electron beam and generating a detection signal, and a signal extractor for extracting a signal having a frequency corresponding to a modulation frequency of the frequency-modulated light from within the detection signal.

Systems and methods for robotic inspection of above-ground pipelines are disclosed. Embodiments may include a robotic crawler having a plurality of motors that are individually controllable for improved positioning on the pipeline to facilitate image acquisition. Embodiments may also include mounting systems to house and carry imaging equipment configured to capture image data simultaneously from a plurality of angles. Such mounting systems may be adjustable to account for different sizes of pipes (e.g., 2-40+ inches), and may be configured to account for traversing various pipe support structures. Still further, mounting systems may include quick-release members to allow for removal and re-mounting of imaging equipment when traversing support structures. In other aspects, embodiments may be directed toward control systems for the robotic crawler which assist in the navigation and image capture capabilities of the crawler.

A multi-degree-of-freedom sample holder, comprising a housing and a rotating shaft, is disclosed. A frame is provided between the housing and the rotating shaft, and the frame is coaxial with the housing and rotating shaft. The present invention has multiple degrees of freedom such as high-precision translational freedom of the sample along the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis, and 360° rotation of the sample around the axis, etc. The sample is always aligned with the sample holder shaft during the rotation, and the static electricity accumulated on the sample can be led out.

Apparatus for analysing a rod-shaped smoking article is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a source (10) of x-ray radiation arranged to irradiate an area of the article (30), one or more area image sensors (12) arranged to detect x-ray radiation from an area of the article and to produce two-dimensional image data therefrom, and a drive mechanism arranged to move the smoking article (30) or the sensor (12) in an axial direction. A processing unit (20) is arranged to process two-dimensional image data produced by the area image sensor (12) at a plurality of different axial positions and to produce an output in dependence thereon. The processing unit may be arranged to output a two-dimensional image to be displayed and/or to output processed dimensional or quality information.

Methods and systems for realizing a high radiance x-ray source based on a high density electron emitter array are presented herein. The high radiance x-ray source is suitable for high throughput x-ray metrology and inspection in a semiconductor fabrication environment. The high radiance X-ray source includes an array of electron emitters that generate a large electron current focused over a small anode area to generate high radiance X-ray illumination light. In some embodiments, electron current density across the surface of the electron emitter array is at least 0.01 Amperes/mm.sup.2, the electron current is focused onto an anode area with a dimension of maximum extent less than 100 micrometers, and the spacing between emitters is less than 5 micrometers. In another aspect, emitted electrons are accelerated from the array to the anode with a landing energy less than four times the energy of a desired X-ray emission line.

A nondestructive inspection apparatus makes a neutron beam incident on an inspection target, detects a specific gamma ray deriving from a target component in the inspection target, among gamma rays generated by the neutron beam, and determines a depth at which the target component exists, based on a result of the detecting. The nondestructive inspection apparatus includes a neutron source that emits a neutron beam to a surface of the inspection target, a gamma ray detection device that detects, as detection intensities, intensities of a plurality of types of specific gamma rays whose energy differs from each other, and a ratio calculation unit that determines a ratio between the detection intensities of a plurality of types of the specific gamma rays.

The invention relates to a method for characterizing a sample, by estimating a plurality of characteristic thicknesses, each being associated with a calibration material, comprising the following steps:

acquiring an energy spectrum (S.sup.ech) transmitted through this sample, located in an X and/or gamma spectral band, naled spectrum transmitted through the sample;

for each spectrum of a plurality of calibration spectra (S.sup.base(L.sub.k; L.sub.l)), calculating a likelihood from said calibration spectrum (S.sup.base(L.sub.k; L.sub.l)), and from the spectrum transmitted through the sample (S.sup.ech), each calibration spectrum (S.sup.base(L.sub.k; L.sub.l)) corresponding to the energy spectrum transmitted through a stack of gauge blocks, each formed of a known thickness of a calibration material;

estimating the characteristic thicknesses (L.sub.1, L.sub.2) associated with the sample according to the criterion of maximum likelihood.

A radiation transmission inspection method includes: when one side surface of the reel is a side end A and another side surface is a side end B, a first foreign body detection process in which radiation emitted from a first radiation source, incident from the side end A of the film reel, transmitted through the reel, and exited from the side end B is detected by a first detector, and information regarding a foreign body is obtained; and a second foreign body detection process in which radiation emitted from a second radiation source, incident from the side end B of the film reel, transmitted through the reel, and exited from the side end A is detected by a second detector, and information regarding a foreign body is obtained.

A cabinet X-ray image system for obtaining X-ray images and colorized or grey scale density X-ray images of a specimen includes a sampling chamber for containing the specimen, a display, an X-ray system including, an X-ray source, a photon counting X-ray detector, and a specimen platform, and a controller configured to selectively energize the X-ray source, control the photon counting X-ray detector to collect a projection X-ray image of the specimen when the X-ray source is energized, determine the density of different areas of the specimen from data collected from the photon counting X-ray detector of the projection X-ray image, create a density X-ray image of the specimen wherein different areas of the specimen are indicated as a density or range of densities based on the determined density of different areas of the specimen, and selectively display the density X-ray image of the specimen on the display.