An apparatus includes an ion chamber and a valve assembly. The ion chamber may include a housing enclosing a gas and one or more electrodes. The valve assembly is coupled to the ion chamber allowing control of replacement of the gas within the housing.

An apparatus includes an ion chamber and a valve assembly. The ion chamber may include a housing enclosing a gas and one or more electrodes. The valve assembly is coupled to the ion chamber allowing control of replacement of the gas within the housing.

A muon detector includes: a chamber having a maximum cross-sectional dimension of 30 cm or less; a gas sealed inside the chamber ionized by the passage of atmospheric muons to form ions in the chamber; a cathode in the chamber at a first position; an anode in the chamber displaced from the first position, the anode including a mesh of wires; a micropattern gaseous detector arranged between the cathode and the anode and proximate to the anode and configured to receive the ions formed in the chamber between the anode and the cathode and generate electrons in response to each ion sufficient to generate a current in one or more of the mesh wires of the anode; and readout electronics in electrical communication with the anode to detect signals in response to the current generated in the mesh wires.

An apparatus includes an ion chamber and a valve assembly. The ion chamber may include a housing enclosing a gas and one or more electrodes. The valve assembly is coupled to the ion chamber allowing control of replacement of the gas within the housing.

Components of scientific analytical equipment. More particularly, ion detectors of the type which incorporate electron multipliers and modifications thereto for extending the operational lifetime or otherwise improving performance. The ion detector may be embodied in the form of a particle detector having one or more electron emissive surfaces and/or an electron collector surface therein, the particle detector being configured such that in operation the environment about the electron emissive surface(s) and/or the electron collector surface is/are different to the environment immediately external to the detector.

The present invention relates to generally to components of scientific analytical equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to ion detectors of the type which incorporate electron multipliers and modifications thereto for extending the operational lifetime or otherwise improving performance. The invention may be embodied in the form of a particle detector having one or more electron emissive surfaces and/or an electron collector surface therein, the particle detector being configured such that in operation the environment about the electron emissive surface(s) and/or the electron collector surface is/are different to the environment immediately external to the detector.

A direct ion storage (DIS) radiation detector or dosimeter has a design that is easy and low cost to manufacture using semiconductor processing techniques. The detectors include internal communications interfaces so they are easy to read. Different interfaces, including wired, e.g. USB ports, and wireless interfaces, may be used, so that the dosimeters may be read over the internet. The detectors can thus be deployed or used in a variety of detection systems and screening methods, including periodic or single time screening of people, objects, or containers at a location by means of affixed dosimeters; screening of objects, containers or people at a series of locations by means of affixed dosimeters, and surveillance of an area by monitoring moving dosimeters affixed to people or vehicles.

Components of scientific analytical equipment. More particularly, ion detectors of the type which incorporate electron multipliers and modifications thereto for extending the operational lifetime or otherwise improving performance. The ion detector may be embodied in the form of a particle detector having one or more electron emissive surfaces and/or an electron collector surface therein, the particle detector being configured such that in operation the environment about the electron emissive surface(s) and/or the electron collector surface is/are different to the environment immediately external to the detector.

Various configurations of electrically conductive, gas-sealed connections between two pieces of aluminum are described along with methods of making an electrically conductive, gas-sealed connection between two pieces of aluminum.

Various configurations of electrically conductive, gas-sealed connections between two pieces of aluminum are described along with methods of making an electrically conductive, gas-sealed connection between two pieces of aluminum.