Abstract: A system includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional and solar tracking information and detect a first amount of DHI and a first amount of DNI at a first specific point in time. If the first amount of SHI exceeds the first amount of DNI, the controller is programmed to calculate a first angle for the tracker to maximize an amount of irradiance received by the tracker. Otherwise, the controller is programmed to calculate the first angle for the tracker based on a position of the sun associated with the first specific point in time and the plurality of positional and solar tracking information.

Abstract: An optical filter, a sensor device including the optical filter, and a method of fabricating the optical filter are provided. The optical filter includes one or more dielectric layers and one or more metal layers stacked in alternation. The metal layers are intrinsically protected by the dielectric layers. In particular, the metal layers have tapered edges that are protectively covered by one or more of the dielectric layers.

Abstract: Solid-state spin sensor systems and methods of manufacturing are disclosed. A mounting structure may be provided in thermal contact with a solid-state spin sensor having a plurality of color center defects such that thermal energy flows from the solid-state spin sensor to the mounting structure. A microwave application structure may be disposed on a face of the mounting structure or a face of the solid-state spin sensor for applying microwave radiation to the solid-state spin sensor.

Abstract: An image sensor is provided to include: imaging pixels located at different locations to receive incident light and to produce pixel signals, each imaging pixel including a light-receiving area that receives a portion of the incident light and a photoelectric conversion element to convert received portion of incident into a pixel signal associated with part of the image; and a phase difference detection pixel located amongst the imaging pixels and structured to include an open part which receives a portion of the incident light and a photoelectric conversion element to convert the received light into a phase difference detection pixel signal, wherein the open part is eccentrically located in the phase difference detection pixel in a first direction, wherein the imaging pixels include a first imaging pixel that is adjacent to the phase difference detection pixel in the first direction and senses a first color.

Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser includes a gain layer configured to generate light; a distributed Bragg reflector below the gains layer; and a meta structure reflector above the gain layer and comprising a plurality of nano structures having a sub wavelength dimension.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including photosensor capable of imaging with high resolution is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes the photosensor having a photodiode, a first transistor, and a second transistor. The photodiode generates an electric signal in accordance with the intensity of light. The first transistor stores charge in a gate thereof and converts the stored charge into an output signal. The second transistor transfers the electric signal generated by the photodiode to the gate of the first transistor and holds the charge stored in the gate of the first transistor. The first transistor has a back gate and the threshold voltage thereof is changed by changing the potential of the back gate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a dual mode focal plane array having a background module including a first capacitor to integrate a first signal for a first amount of time, wherein the first signal comprises a background signal, and a signal module including a second capacitor to integrate a second signal for a second amount of time, wherein the second signal comprises a signal of interest and the background signal, wherein the first and second capacitors have impedance values in a first ratio, and wherein the first amount of time and the second amount of time define a second ratio corresponding to the first ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus for amplifying an electron signal caused by the impact of a particle with an electron emissive surface. The apparatus includes: a first electron emissive surface configured to receive an input particle and thereby emit one or more secondary electrons, a series of second and subsequent electron emissive surfaces configured to form an amplified electron signal from the one or more secondary electrons emitted by the first electron emissive surface, and one or more power supplies configured to apply bias voltage(s) to one or more of the emissive surfaces. The bias voltage(s) is sufficient to form the amplified electron signal. The apparatus is configured such that the terminal electron emissive surface(s) of the series of second and subsequent electron emissive surfaces draw a higher electrical current than that of the remainder electron emissive surface(s). The apparatus may be used as part of detector in a mass spectrometer, for example.

Abstract: An optical sensor for a delivery device having a piston that displaces a substance, such as a fluid, from a reservoir. The optical sensor has a light source and a detector array for imaging encoding features disposed along a plunger rod coupled to the piston. By virtue of the pattern of encoding features, an absolute position of the plunger rod relative to a fiducial position may be determined uniquely. Thus, the volume of fluid remaining in the reservoir, the rate of fluid delivery, and proper loading of the reservoir may be accurately ascertained. Additionally, the encoding may serve to uniquely identify a version of the reservoir which may be supplied in various versions corresponding, for example, to differing concentrations of a therapeutic agent to be dispensed.

Abstract: Shading correction is realized without sacrificing a noise characteristic and a sensitivity characteristic. A solid-state imaging element includes a plurality of pixels that are arranged two-dimensionally and each outputs analog voltage proportional to electron produced by photodiode and an AD conversion section that convert analog voltages output from the pixels into digital signals. First and second pixels included in the plurality of pixels differ in conversion efficiency with which a unit quantity of electrons output from the photodiodes are converted into the analog voltages.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses an electromagnetic driving module which includes a base, two magnetic elements, a wiring assembly, a reference element, and a sensor element. The two magnetic elements are arranged along a reference line and positioned at two sides of the base. The wiring assembly is connected to the base and arranged adjacent to the two magnetic elements. The reference element is positioned on the base. The sensor element is adjacent to the reference elements and configured to detect the movement of the reference element to position the base. A lens device using the electromagnetic driving module is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state image pickup apparatus, a correction method, and an electronic apparatus, enabled to suppress an apparent uncomfortable feeling of an image output from a solid-state image pickup apparatus in which pixels of different OCL shapes are mounted mixedly. A solid-state image pickup apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a pixel array in which a first pixel in which an OCL (On Chip Lens) of a standard size is formed and a second pixel in which an OCL of a size different from the standard size is formed are present mixedly, and a correction section that corrects a pixel value of the first pixel that is positioned in the vicinity of the second pixel among the first pixels on the pixel array. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a CMOS image sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for process and temperature compensation in a transimpedance amplifier using a dual replica and configurable impedances is disclosed and may include a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) circuit comprising a first TIA, a second TIA, a third TIA, and a control loop. The first TIA comprises a fixed feedback resistance and the second and third TIAs each comprise a configurable feedback impedance. The system may comprise a gain stage with inputs coupled to outputs of the first and second TIAs and with an output coupled to the configurable feedback impedance of the second and third TIAs. The circuit may be operable to configure a gain level of the first TIA based on the fixed feedback resistance and a reference current applied at an input to the first TIA, and configure a gain level of the second and third TIAs based on a control voltage generated by the gain stage.

Abstract: An encoder includes a base portion, a rotation portion that is provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis with respect to the base portion, a mark that is disposed around the rotation axis on the rotation portion, an imaging element that is disposed in the base portion and images the marks, a storage portion that stores a reference image, and a determination portion that performs template matching on the mark imaged by the imaging element by using the reference image, so as to determine a rotation state of the rotation portion with respect to the base portion.

Abstract: A device that includes an analog-to-digital converter circuit and a control circuit is disclosed. The analog-to-digital converter circuit converts at least one of analog pixel output signals from a pixel array, to at least one of digital signals. The analog-to-digital converter circuit includes a comparator which generates a comparator output signal for operatively enabling and disabling, in accordance with a reference signal and an analog pixel output signal from the pixel array, a counter generating a digital signal. The control circuit disables, in accordance with the comparator output signal, the comparator.

Abstract: An optical encoder 10 comprising: a light source 11; a splitter 12 splits a light from the light source 11, a light receiving unit 16; a scale 13 is arranged on a light path and movable in a measurement direction, a grating being arranged on a main surface of the scale; and an offset diffraction grating 14 includes a plurality of diffraction gratings arranged in the optical path from the splitter 12 to the light receiving unit 16, the plurality of diffraction gratings diffracting the split lights with different phases, wherein, the plurality of diffraction gratings 13 in the offset diffraction grating 14 are arranged in one plane parallel to the main surface of the scale and are offset each other in an offset direction orthogonal to the measurement direction, the light receiving unit 16 includes a plurality of light-receiving elements 16-11 to 16-23 arranged in the offset direction.

Abstract: A photodetector circuit is disclosed. The photodetector circuit includes an optical input configured to receive a source optical signal for detection by the photodetector circuit, an optical waveguide for coupling the optical input and at least one side of a plurality of sides of a photodiode, wherein the optical waveguide is configured to generate a first optical signal and a second optical signal from the source optical signal, and the photodiode coupled to the first optical waveguide, where the photodiode is illuminated on the at least one side by the first and second optical signals at different locations on the photodiode, where the photodiode generates a photocurrent based on the first and second optical signals reducing photocurrent saturation. Providing a delay between the first and second optical signals reduces an out-of-band frequency response of the photodiode circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical system. In one aspect, the optical system includes a plurality of imagers configured to emit an electromagnetic radiation, a plurality of optical sensors configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the imagers, and a beam splitting device disposed at an optical path between the imagers and the optical sensors. In one example, the beam splitting device is a multi-way beam splitter configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from one of the imagers and separate the received electromagnetic radiation into a plurality of portions, each separated portion of the received electromagnetic radiation being directed to one of the optical sensors.

Abstract: An obstacle detection system includes a first light emitter that emits a light signal and a first light detector configured to receive a portion of the light signal reflected back from an object. The obstacle detection system includes a second light emitter configured to emit a test signal toward the first light detector, and a second light detector configured to detect the light signal emitted by the first light emitter. The obstacle detection system includes a processor to determine, based on the light signal, whether an obstruction is detected and whether, by use of the second light emitter and the second light detector, the first light emitter and the first light detector are operable.

Abstract: A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second signal emitted in proximity to the first signal. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, wherein the detector module is arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.