Abstract: According to one implementation, an optical observation system includes an optical fiber and at least one detection system. The optical fiber has at least one curved portion as a sensor for inputting light which has occurred in a test region. The optical fiber inputs the light from the at least one curved portion and transmits the light. The at least one detection system detects the light transmitted by the optical fiber. Further, according to one implementation, an optical observation method includes: inputting light, which has occurred in a test region, from at least one curved portion of an optical fiber and transmitting the light; and detecting the light transmitted by the optical fiber.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a light-emitting diode arrangement is provided. The light-emitting diode arrangement includes a first substrate with a first light-emitting diode which is arranged on the first substrate such that light emitted by it radiates in a main emission direction of the light-emitting diode arrangement, and a second substrate with a second light-emitting diode which is arranged on the second substrate such that light emitted by it radiates in the main emission direction of the light-emitting diode arrangement. The second substrate is arranged above the first substrate, such that the second substrate at least partly covers the first substrate.

Abstract: An image sensor controls the gain of a pixel signal on a pixel-by-pixel basis and extends a dynamic range while maintaining a S/N ratio at a favorable level. A column unit in an image sensor is independently detects a level of each pixel signal and independently sets a gain for level of the signal. A photoelectric converting region unit has pixels arranged two-dimensionally with a vertical signal line for each pixel column to output each pixel signal. The column unit is on an output side of the vertical signal line. The column unit for each pixel column has a pixel signal level detecting circuit, a programmable gain control, a sample and hold (S/H) circuit. Gain correction is performed according to a result of a detected level of the pixel signal.

Abstract: A proximity sensing device includes: a light source, a sensing unit, a light guide unit, and a window. The light source emits light, which is guided by the light guide unit to the window. The emitted light reflected by an object is received by the same window. The light guide unit includes a partial-transmissive-partial-reflective (PTPR) optical element, whereby the light emitted from the light source is reflected by the PTPR optical element, while the light reflected by the object passes through the PTPR optical element. There is only one window required.

Abstract: An image sensor package includes an image sensor chip on a package substrate, a logic chip on the package substrate and perpendicularly overlapping the image sensor chip, and a memory chip on the package substrate and perpendicularly overlapping the image sensor chip and logic chip. The logic chip processes a pixel signal output from the image sensor chip. The memory chip is electrically connected to the image sensor chip through a conductive wire and stores at least one of the pixel signal from the image sensor chip or a pixel signal processed by the logic chip. The memory chip receives the pixel signal output from the image sensor chip through the conductive wire and receives the pixel signal processed by the logic chip through the image sensor chip and the conductive wire.

Abstract: A method for operating a photoelectric barrier as well as a photoelectric barrier with at least one first and one second optoelectronic machine guard. The first optoelectronic machine guard has a first transmitter and the second optoelectronic machine guard has a second transmitter and receiver unit. The transmitters of the first optoelectronic machine guard are successively activated during a run of a first cycle so as to emit a single light pulse, and the transmitters of the second optoelectronic machine guard are successively activated during a run of a second cycle so as to emit a single light pulse. The cycles occur substantially simultaneously. A duration of the first cycle is lengthened or shortened by the duration of a first phase offset ?A and that the duration of the second cycle is lengthened or shortened by the duration of a second phase offset ?B.

Abstract: An opto-mechanical fuse is provided. The opto-mechanical fuse includes a chassis component, an extrusion disposed on a monitored component proximate to the chassis component and a sensor. The sensor includes an optical conductor mounted to the chassis component to assume one of an optically transmitting state and an optically non-transmitting state in both power-on and power-off conditions. An assumption of the optically non-transmitting state by the optical conductor occurs due to an interaction of the optical conductor and the extrusion resulting from a predefined magnitude of deflection of the monitored component.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring amplitude of a scanning mirror are disclosed. The device includes a light source (20) for outputting an optical signal; a diaphragm (21) for modifying size and shape of a light spot of the optical signal output by the light source (20); a scanning mirror retainer for placing a scanning mirror (22) to be measured, the scanning mirror, after being retained, being able to periodically reflect the optical signal; a photoelectric sensor (23) including three or more sensing elements and configured to detect and collect the optical signal reflected by the scanning mirror (22); and a signal acquisition and processing unit (24) for processing a signal collected by the photoelectric sensor (23) to derive an amplitude of the scanning mirror (22). Therefore, it is possible to characterize the scanning mirror (22) before the scanning mirror (22) is used, determining performance of the scanning mirror (22).

Abstract: A method of controlling the performance of a night vision device includes storing, in memory of the night vision device, a plurality of performance configuration parameters, and after the storing, applying at least one of a hardware lock and a software lock to the night vision device such that at least some of the plurality of performance configuration parameters stored in the memory cannot be changed.

Abstract: A light intensity detection method includes: determining whether light intensity detection needs to be performed; detecting whether there is a finger touch in an optical detection region of an optical fingerprint sensor if light intensity detection needs to be performed, wherein the optical detection region is located in at least one part of a display region of a display; enabling a light intensity detection function if no finger touch is detected, and collecting light intensity data by using the optical fingerprint sensor; and processing the collected light intensity data, and calculating a value of current ambient light intensity according to the light intensity data.

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 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: 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: 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: 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 image sensor includes: a photoelectric conversion film that performs photoelectric conversion on light having entered therein; at least two electrodes, including a first electrode and a second electrode, disposed at a surface of the photoelectric conversion film; and at least two electrodes, including a third electrode and a fourth electrode, disposed at another surface of the photoelectric conversion film.

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: 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.