Abstract: The present application is directed to a self-pixelating focal plane array and includes a photodetection portion having a body defining a self-pixelating active detection region, and a readout device in electrical communication with the photodetection portion and configured to capture electrical charges from the photodetection portion. During use, the photodetection portion is configured to operate in Geiger mode. As such, the application of one or more electrical fields to the photodetection portion results in the photodetection portion operating in a self-pixelating manner. The readout device may be used to capture the electrical charges and signals generated by the photodetection portion due to the incidence of one or more photons on the photodetection portion.

Abstract: An image sensor package (10) includes a housing (34) defining a top opening, an image sensor (14) received in the housing, and a converging lens (36) covering the opening to hermetically seal the housing and form a window for light to pass through into the housing. The image sensor has an active area which faces the converging lens and which is responsive to light. The converging lens not only provides hermetic sealing for the housing, but also converges light before the light strikes the active area of the image sensor. Accordingly, a focal length F is reduced, and a size of the image sensor package and the image sensor system can be reduced.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device has a support body constructed of a disk-shaped section and a columnar body formed in a central portion of this disk-shaped section, one set of leads fit to this support body in an integrated manner, a semiconductor laser element mounted on a reference surface of the columnar body, and a wire for electrically connecting this semiconductor laser element with one of the leads. The disk-shaped section of the support body has an opening therethrough. The one set of leads are inserted through the opening, placed in position, and integrated with the support body via a resin block filling the opening.

Abstract: A bond separation inspection method using an optical fiber sensor. The method includes a step of embedding a sensor part of an optical fiber sensor in an adhesive joining a plurality of members together. The sensor part is embedded in the adhesive in such a way that the sensor part undergoes a compressive strain. Separation of the bond is detected on the basis of an optical characteristic of the sensor part when light from a light source is directed into the optical fiber sensor.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device 100 is constructed in which a waveguide 15 is formed in an insulating layer on a light-receiving sensor portion 2, a side wall 161 of the waveguide 15 is covered with a reflective film 17 made of an Al film deposited by a CVD method, an underlayer film 19 is formed between the reflective film 17 and the side wall 161 of the waveguide 15 and the underlayer film 19 is made of a VIb-group element. It is possible to obtain a solid-state image pickup device including a waveguide in which hydrogen supplied to the light-receiving sensor portion 2 can be restrained from being absorbed by the underlayer film 19 and which has the reflective film 17 of high reflectivity with satisfactory surface condition, satisfactory coverage and excellent adhesion.

Abstract: An optical rotary encoder for acquiring rotation information regarding a shaft includes a light source located on or in the vicinity of the axis of rotation of the shaft for emitting light rays and a code wheel mounted on the shaft for rotation about the axis of rotation. The code wheel has a plurality of alternating light transmissive and non-light transmissive areas in a circumferential direction. A reflector is spaced a distance from the code wheel for reflecting the light rays emitted from the light source so that they are turned into a parallel beam of light. The parallel beam of light illuminates the light transmissive areas of the code wheel so that light passing through the light transmissive areas is directed toward a peripheral region of the light source. The encoder also includes one or more light-detecting element for detecting the light passing through the light transmissive areas.

Abstract: An optical device, including a monolithically integrated diode laser and semiconductor optical amplifier, that has reduced linewidth and improved side mode suppression for a given output power target. In a preferred embodiment, the diode laser is detuned from a gain peak wavelength to an emission wavelength. The semiconductor optical amplifier has an active region that is bandgap shifted to move its gain peak towards the emission wavelength of the laser diode, thus reducing its linewidth enhancement factor. The diode laser is preferably either a gain-coupled or index-coupled distributed feedback laser. The bandgap shift can be effected by known bandgap shifting methods, such as ion implantation, dielectric cap disordering, and laser induced disordering.

Abstract: An optical distance measuring device has an objective lens that condenses light from a light emission element to irradiate a measuring object and to form on the measuring object a light spot having a diameter not smaller than 10 ?m and not larger than 30 ?m. A light receiving lens condenses light reflected from the light spot on the measuring object to make the light incident on a photodetector through a pinhole having a diameter not smaller than 10 ?m and not larger than 50 ?m. With movement of the measuring object, detection signal of which an amplitude and an output level change according to a distance to the measuring object is obtained from the photodetector.

Abstract: During a robot is taking workpieces out of a workpiece container 2, a safety fence 2 and a photoelectric sensor 1 are valid and the robot is stopped when the safety fence 2 is opened or a beam from the photoelectric sensor 1 is cut off. A safety fence 1 and a photoelectric sensor 2 are invalid and do not hinder operation of the robot. Operation feasible state indicating lamps of workpiece feeding lamp/switch boxes 1 and 2 are turned on and off, respectively. If an operator replaces a workpiece container 1, he/she actuates an operating area entrance switch or the box 1 into an ON state to make OFF state an operation feasible signal for the robot RB on a side of the workpiece container 1. When the robot is operating on the side of the workpiece container 1, the robot can continue to operate while similarly ensuring safety of the operator.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for a photomultiplier tube (PMT) is disclosed that reduces power consumption to a point where the PMT may be powered for extended periods with a battery. More specifically, the invention concerns a PMT circuit comprising a low leakage switch and a high voltage capacitor positioned between a resistive divider and each of the PMT dynodes, and a low power control scheme for recharging the capacitors.

Abstract: A micro piezo-optic composite transducer comprises: dielectric material; electrodes situated over opposing surfaces of the dielectric material; an optical fiber embedded in the dielectric material, the optical fiber configured to have a wavelength response as a function of material strain; and piezoelectric fibers embedded in the dielectric material and situated on opposing sides of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for measuring runout of a rotating tool are provided. A rotating tool is illuminated with a coherent electromagnetic radiation. The tool has an axis and a reflective surface, and completes a rotation in one period. The surface has a radial displacement from the axis of the rotating tool. A path, of coherent electromagnetic radiation reflected from the reflective surface is sensed. A maximum radial displacement is determined based upon the sensed path and a minimum radial displacement is determined based upon the sensed path. A runout is determined based upon the difference between the maximum radial displacement and the minimum radial displacement. A tool edge margin can be measured by analysis of specific areas of the rotating tool.

Abstract: There is described an image reading apparatus that reads image information from a document, such as a negative film, a photographic prints, etc., on which image information is recorded. The image-apparatus includes a plurality of light sources for emitting lights, wavelengths of which are different relative to each other; an image-reading section to read the image by detecting either transmitted lights or reflected lights, which are obtained by irradiating the lights emitted from the plurality of light sources onto the image recorded on a document; and a light-amount adjusting section to independently adjust each amount of the lights emitted by the plurality of light sources, when the image-reading section reads the image.

Abstract: A laser receiver for detecting the position of incidence of a beam of laser light thereon includes a first photodetector and a second photodetector aligned in series with each other and spaced apart from each other by a gap. If the laser is evenly distributed between the two photodetectors, then the laser position will be set as the correct position and a corresponding signal will be displayed. However, if the first photodetector detects more light than the second photodetector, then a signal will also be displayed to inform the user that more laser is being projected onto the first photodetector. On the other hand, if the second photodetector detects more light than the first photodetector, then a signal will be displayed to inform the user that more laser being projected onto the second photodetector. These signals will assist users to adjust the laser receiver to accurately position the laser.

Abstract: A photon source comprising: a quantum dot (21) having a first confined energy level capable of being populated with an electron and a second confined energy level capable of being populated by a hole; and supply means (23) for supplying carriers to the said energy levels, wherein the supply means are configured to supply a predetermined number of carriers to at least one of the energy levels to allow recombination of a predetermined number of carriers in said quantum dot to emit at least one photon.

Abstract: The presence or absence and the intensity of refractive index distribution are easily controlled with high reproducibility without depending on the fabricating process accuracy. InGaAs well layers (14a) and (14b), which have a narrow bandgap and a high refractive index, are enclosed by a lower barrier layer (13), an intermediate barrier layer (15), an upper barrier layer (16) and a buried layer (18) of GaAsN-based materials of a wide bandgap. Then, by adjusting the nitrogen crystal mixture ratio of the GaAsN-based materials that constitute the barrier layers (13), (15) and (16) and the buried layer (18), the presence or absence and the intensity of the refractive index distribution are controlled. Thus, the refractive index distribution is easily controlled with high reproducibility without considering the configuration of a diffraction grating (17), a refractive index balance with respect to the buried layer (18) and so on, i.e., without depending on the fabricating process accuracy.

Abstract: A control system is provided for controlling the shape of a flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. The control system includes a plurality of actuators and a plurality of computational elements. Each of the plurality of actuators is coupled to a portion of the radiation structure and can be selectively actuated by the plurality of computational elements. Thus, the plurality of actuators and the plurality of computational elements provide control of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure shape. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of computational elements controls one section of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. Thus each of the plurality of computational elements receives controls the one or more of the plurality of actuator within its section. Together, the plurality of computational elements provide a distributed control network for the radiation structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a photomultiplier power supply having a transformer with multiple secondary windings forming cells that can provide voltage ratios to a photomultiplier element in which the ratios can be adjusted by the method of connection to the cell, by the number of turns in the transformer, or by a combination of both.

Abstract: A dual-axis optical encoder device is disclosed. The optical encoder includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and a first optical encoder on the first surface of a substrate and a second optical encoder on the second surface of the substrate. Each optical encoder includes an optical emitter and an optical detector. The dual-axis optical encoder device provides, within a single device, the ability to acquire movement information on two different axes.

Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor device for detecting precipitation on an outer surface of a transparent pane. The sensor device includes a beam guide attached to an inner surface of the pane and a circuit board offset from the inner pane surface. A beam transmitter is arranged on the circuit board to transmit, along a transmission beam path, a light beam toward the pane via the beam guide. A beam receiver is arranged on the circuit board to receive, along a reception beam path, a light beam reflected from the outer surface of the pane via the beam guide. A circuit substrate, electrically connected to the circuit board, is arranged parallel to the pane between the pane and the circuit board. An installation space separates the circuit substrate from the inner pane surface. A heating device is arranged on the circuit substrate in an area lying outside of the beam paths.