Embodiments relate to a hallow cathode with integral layers of radiation shielding. The hollow cathode includes an inner cathode tube that forms a gas feed to direct gas toward a downstream end, where the directed gas forms plasma. A heater element is positioned at the downstream end of the inner cathode tube, the heater element to heat the plasma. The hollow cathode further includes an outer cathode tube with a keeper electrode to sustain a bias voltage across a gap at a downstream end of the outer cathode tube for igniting the plasma. The integral layers of radiation shielding are connected by offset radial supports and are incorporated as a single element with either the inner or outer cathode tube, where the integral layers are nested with torturous conductive paths to reduce radiation and conduction losses from the downstream end of the inner cathode tube.

Presented is a simple, but highly energy efficient industrial heating device and method for rapid heating and high temperature gradient production whereby fermions and bosons are introduced into an adjoining fluid which may be boundary layered and consequently produce an amplifiable activated condition even at room pressure and high temperature. This heating device uses a comparatively long current carrying member which may have some curvature with penetration of the current carrying members into spaces that could have any cross-sectional geometry in a high temperature resistant stable material.

Presented is a simple, but highly energy efficient industrial heating device and method for rapid heating and high temperature gradient production whereby fermions and bosons are introduced into an adjoining fluid which may be boundary layered and consequently produce an amplifiable activated condition even at room pressure and high temperature. This heating device uses a comparatively long current carrying member which may have some curvature with penetration of the current carrying members into spaces that could have any cross-sectional geometry in a high temperature resistant stable material.

Presented is a simple, but highly energy efficient industrial heating device and method for rapid heating and high temperature gradient production whereby fermions and bosons are introduced into an adjoining fluid which may be boundary layered and consequently produce an amplifiable activated condition even at room pressure and high temperature. This heating device uses a comparatively long current carrying member which may have some curvature with penetration of the current carrying members into spaces that could have any cross-sectional geometry in a high temperature resistant stable material.

Embodiments relate to a hallow cathode with integral layers of radiation shielding. The hollow cathode includes an inner cathode tube that forms a gas feed to direct gas toward a downstream end, where the directed gas forms plasma. A heater element is positioned at the downstream end of the inner cathode tube, the heater element to heat the plasma. The hollow cathode further includes an outer cathode tube with a keeper electrode to sustain a bias voltage across a gap at a downstream end of the outer cathode tube for igniting the plasma. The integral layers of radiation shielding are connected by offset radial supports and are incorporated as a single element with either the inner or outer cathode tube, where the integral layers are nested with torturous conductive paths to reduce radiation and conduction losses from the downstream end of the inner cathode tube.

An apparatus and method provided a drug layer formed on a surface region of a medical device, the drug layer comprised of a drug deposition and a carbonized or densified layer formed from the drug deposition by irradiation on an outer surface of the drug deposition, wherein the carbonized or densified layer does not penetrate through the drug deposition and is adapted to release drug from the drug deposition at a predetermined rate.