Abstract: A detection system for light communications comprises a total internal reflection (TIR) waveguide and a light sensor adjacent to the TIR waveguide. The TIR waveguide comprises a TIR structure, a diffusive element, and a waveguide entrance. The TIR structure is configured to internally propagate light associated with optical signaling along the TIR waveguide. The diffusive element is disposed at an internal edge of the TIR structure opposite the light sensor. The diffusive element is configured to disrupt the propagation of the light such that at least some of the light is directed to the light sensor. The waveguide entrance is offset from the diffusive element along the TIR structure and configured to collect the light into the TIR structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an optical source; a photoconductive switch triggered by the optical source; and an enclosure unit that contains the optical source and the photoconductive switch in a single integrated package. The optical source may output a laser. The optical source may be a diode. The enclosure unit may be conductive. The enclosure unit may be non-conductive. The device may include an electrical connector operatively connected to the optical source. The electrical connector may provide power and control signals to the optical source. The electrical connector may be attached to an outer surface of the enclosure unit.

Abstract: A system is described wherein multiple lasers are used to irradiate particles in a flow cytometer's flow stream. In certain embodiments, a light source having a first laser configured for continuous irradiation of a flow stream and one or more second lasers configured for irradiation of the flow stream in discrete intervals where each discrete interval of irradiation by the second laser is triggered by irradiation of one or more particles in the flow stream with the first laser. Methods for modulating the laser irradiation and measuring light intensity are also described. Also described is the computations and systems required to operate the one or more second lasers.

Abstract: Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate, a light emitter mounted on the substrate, and a light receiver, including a light sensitive region, mounted on the substrate. The substrate includes one or more light blocking vias arranged to prevent at least some light produced by the light emitter from traveling through the substrate and thereby generating optical cross-talk in the light receiver.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for determining a parameter of a photodetector (e.g., a photodetector in a particle analyzer). Methods according to certain embodiments include irradiating a photodetector positioned in a particle analyzer with a light source (e.g., a continuous wave light source) at a first intensity for a first predetermined time interval, irradiating the photodetector with the light source at a second intensity for a second predetermined time interval, integrating data signals from the photodetector over a period of time that includes the first predetermined interval and the second predetermined interval and determining one or more parameters of the photodetector based on the integrated data signals. Systems (e.g., particle analyzers) having light source and a photodetector for practicing the subject methods are also described.

Abstract: A photodetector includes a metal layer that shields incident light and generates surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), a light absorbing layer that absorbs the generated SPPs and allows charges excited by the absorbed SPPs and a localized electric field effect to tunnel, a dielectric formed at nanoholes in which at least a part of the metal layer is opened, and a semiconductor layer that induces the photocurrent based on an electric field effect of tunneled electrons. The SPPs form localized surface plasmons (LSPs) at an interface where the metal layer meets the dielectric.

Abstract: A laser module includes: a laser diode bar including a plurality of emitters configured to emit laser light from a front surface and leak light from a rear surface; a housing including a reflecting surface configured to surround a space together with the laser diode bar and reflect, toward the space, light leaked from the rear surface, in a scattering manner; and a detector configured to detect light reflected by the reflecting surface. A laser module includes: a laser diode bar including a plurality of emitters configured to emit laser light from a front surface and leak light from a rear surface; a condenser lens on which light leaked from rear surfaces of all of the plurality of emitters impinges; and a detector configured to detect light transmitted through the condenser lens.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) sensing apparatus together with a projector subassembly is provided. The 3D sensing apparatus includes two cameras, which may be configured to capture ultraviolet and/or near-infrared light. The 3D sensing apparatus may also contain an optical filter and one or more computing processors that signal a simultaneous capture using the two cameras and processing the captured images into depth. The projector subassembly of the 3D sensing apparatus includes a laser diode, one or optical elements, and a photodiode that are useable to enable 3D capture.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a focus detecting device and an electronic device that can adjust the maximum value and the minimum value of sensitivity in phase detection pixels. The focus detecting device and an electronic device each include a microlens, a photoreceptor configured to receive light entering through the microlens, a light shield film provided between the microlens and the photoreceptor and configured to limit an amount of light on the photoreceptor, and a light shield wall provided vertical to the light shield film. The light shield wall or the light shield walls having a predetermined height are provided on any one or both of surfaces of the light shield film facing the photoreceptor and the microlens. The present technology can be applied to an imaging device configured to detect a focus by detection of phase difference.

Abstract: An a system and method for chaos transfer between multiple detuned signals in a resonator mediated by chaotic mechanical oscillation induced stochastic resonance where at least one signal is strong and where at least one signal is weak and where the strong and weak signal follow the same route, from periodic oscillations to quasi-periodic and finally to chaotic oscillations, as the strong signal power is increased.

Abstract: The computer system and computer-implemented method of generating and providing skin care product recommendations to a subject, wherein the method comprises determining, by a computing device, a UV-B exposure of the subject; determining, by the computing device, a vitamin D intake due to the UV-B exposure; determining, by the computing device, a target vitamin D of the subject; and providing, by the computing device, a skin care product recommendation to the subject when the vitamin D intake due to the UV-B exposure is less than the vitamin D target of the subject.

Abstract: A photometer and a method of performing photometric measurements with this photometer are described. The photometer comprises a photodetector providing a detector signal corresponding to an intensity of light received by the photodetector; and measurement electronics including: an amplifier and a signal processing device configured to determine and to provide a measurement result based on a measurement signal determined by the signal processing device as or based on an amplified detector signal provided by the amplifier. The signal processing device is configured to determine the measurement signal: a) as or based on the amplified detector signal provided by the amplifier being a multistage amplifier including a transimpedance converter and a voltage to current amplifier; and/or b) in form of a noise reduced signal determined by subtracting a previously determined noise offset included in the amplified detector signal from the amplified detector signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical apparatus for imaging and/or manipulating micro-objects in a microfluidic device, such as a light-actuated microfluidic (LAMF) device, and related systems and methods. The optical apparatus can comprise a structured light modulator, a first and a second tube lens, an objective lens, a dichroic beam splitter, and an image sensor. The structured light modulator can be configured to receive unstructured light beams and transmit structured light beams for illuminating micro-objects located within an enclosure of the microfluidic device and/or selectively activating one or more of a plurality of dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrodes of the microfluidic device. The image light beams received by the image sensor can be used to form an image of at least a portion of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to fabricate a multifunctional collimator structure In one embodiment, an optical collimator, includes: a dielectric layer; a substrate; and a plurality of via holes, wherein the dielectric layer is formed over the substrate, wherein the plurality of via holes are configured as an array along a lateral direction of a first surface of the dielectric layer, wherein each of the plurality of via holes extends through the dielectric layer and the substrate from the first surface of the dielectric layer to a second surface of the substrate in a vertical direction, wherein the substrate has a bulk impurity doping concentration equal to or greater than 1×1019 per cubic centimeter (cm?3) and a first thickness, and wherein the bulk impurity doping concentration and the first thickness of the substrate are configured so as to allow the optical collimator to filter light in a range of wavelengths.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an optical instrument, a method of converting an optical input to a digital signal output, and a spectrometer. In one embodiment, the optical instrument includes: (1) an optical sensor configured to receive an optical input and convert the optical input to electrical signals, and (2) a conversion system having conversion circuitry having multiple parallel signal channels that are configured to receive and modify the electrical signals to analog outputs, an analog switch configured to select one of the parallel signal channels according to an operating mode of the optical instrument, and an analog to digital converter configured to receive and convert the analog output from the selected parallel signal channel to a digital signal output.

Abstract: A CMOS type semiconductor image sensor module wherein a pixel aperture ratio is improved, chip use efficiency is improved and furthermore, simultaneous shutter operation by all the pixels is made possible, and a method for manufacturing such semiconductor image sensor module are provided. The semiconductor image sensor module is provided by stacking a first semiconductor chip, which has an image sensor wherein a plurality of pixels composed of a photoelectric conversion element and a transistor are arranged, and a second semiconductor chip, which has an A/D converter array. Preferably, the semiconductor image sensor module is provided by stacking a third semiconductor chip having a memory element array. Furthermore, the semiconductor image sensor module is provided by stacking the first semiconductor chip having the image sensor and a fourth semiconductor chip having an analog nonvolatile memory array.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved optical systems for particle processing (e.g., cytometry including microfluidic based sorters, drop sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous micro-lens array optical detection assemblies for particle (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) processing systems and methods (e.g., for analyzing, sorting, processing, purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching particles).

Abstract: According to one aspect, an ambient-light sensor includes a photodiode configured to generate an electrical signal according to an ambient light, a capacitive-feedback transimpedance amplifier connected at its input to the photodiode for receiving a signal generated by the photodiode and for generating as an output an amplified signal from the signal generated by the photodiode, and an auto-zero switch at the input of the capacitive-feedback transimpedance amplifier. The ambient-light sensor further includes a control circuit including a bootstrap circuit configured to receive an initial positive- or zero-voltage logic control signal, and then generate, from this initial logic control signal, an adapted logic control signal having a first positive voltage level and a second negative voltage control level for controlling the auto-zero switch.

Abstract: A light sensing module including a photodiode array substrate, a distance increasing layer, and a light converging element array is provided. The photodiode array substrate includes a plurality of light sensing units arranged in an array and a circuit region. The circuit region is disposed on the periphery of the light sensing units. Each of the light sensing units includes a plurality of adjacent photodiodes arranged in an array. The distance increasing layer is disposed on the photodiode array substrate. The light converging element array is disposed on the distance increasing layer, and includes a plurality of light converging units arranged in an array. Reflected light from an outside is converged by the light converging elements on the light sensing units, respectively.