Abstract: The invention relates to a beam combiner for a microscope, in particular a scanning microscope, which receives at least a first illuminating light bundle and a second illuminating light bundle and combines them into a collinear output light bundle, the first illuminating light bundle and the second illuminating light bundle having the same illuminating light wavelength but a different polarization, in particular linear polarization. The beam combiner is embodied as an acousto-optic beam combiner and is constructed and operated in such a way that by interaction with at least one mechanical wave, both the first illuminating light bundle and the second illuminating light bundle are diffracted and are thereby directed into a common optical axis.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus are disclosed for measuring illumination characteristics of a luminaire having unknown characteristics. The method includes steps of providing an array of calibrated photodetectors in known locations in proximity to a mounting location, and then illuminating the array with a luminaire having unknown illumination properties. The resulting data is used to calculate the luminous intensity vs. angle from the luminaire and the luminous flux of the luminaire. Methods of calibrating the measurement with a known luminaire are presented along with methods of determining the angular position of the detectors in the array. Color-sensitive detectors can be used to determine the angular distribution and average value of the luminaire's correlated color temperature.

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: Various embodiments relate to devices for measuring the state of devices and multi-stage rotary encoders as well as to associated sensors. In order to simplify the design of devices which can be read out electronically and multi-turn rotary encoders, according to some embodiments a device having at least one rotatable wheel, at least one light source and at least one polarization sensor is proposed, the wheel being at least partially transparent and polarization-maintaining, parts of the wheel being configured as pole filters, it being possible for light which exits the light source to be polarized by the pole filter and to be received by the polarization sensor.

Abstract: A photocell cover, including a jacket that defines a jacket cavity and a jacket opening, that is operable to be used by the user at any time of day and in any level of ambient light. The invention achieves this object by providing a photocell cover to cover a photocell and its housing, blocking any ambient light from reaching the photocell, in order to provide an environment in which the photocell can be tested. The jacket cavity and jacket opening receive a housing of a photocell and simulate a low level of ambient light in the area surrounding the photocell in order to test the functionality of the photocell. The method of using the photocell cover allows the user to test the photocell during any time of day or night, including from a ground level position.

Abstract: A CMOS imaging system with increased charge storage of pixels yet decreased physical size, kTC noise and active area. A storage node is connected to the transfer gate and provides a storage node for a pixel, allowing for kTC noise reduction prior to readout. The pixel may be operated with the shutter gate on during the integration period to increase the amount of time for charge storage by a pixel.

Abstract: A solar tracker system comprising a plurality of on sun trackers and a plurality of off sun tracker. Each tracker is selectively adjusted to achieve a desired power output of the solar power plant system in an example.

Abstract: An optical detecting device capable of increasing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and economizing power consumption is installed on a wearable device. The optical detecting device includes a base, an optical detecting component and a light emitting module. The optical detecting component is disposed on the base and has a detecting surface normal vector. The light emitting module is disposed on the base and outputs a sampling signal to project onto an external object, and the optical detecting component can receive the sampling signal reflected from the external object. The light emitting module is slanted toward the optical detecting component, and an optical axis of spatial distribution of the sampling signal and the detecting surface normal vector are crossed to form a deviated angle.

Abstract: A system and method for improved detection of lasers for use in laser guidance systems. By providing background illumination via one or more radiation sources the accuracy of the laser detection system can be improved. A closed loop system detects the background current on the detector and provides additional illumination when the back ground level is below a threshold current value thus providing for a faster detector response.

Abstract: A rotation calculating device comprising: a first rotating device; a first target device; an first optical characteristic acquiring device, configured to acquire optical characteristics for at least one feature of the first target device; and a calculating unit, configured to calculate rotation for the first rotating device based on the optical characteristics of the feature.

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 method of detecting a movement of a timepiece setting stem arranged to be moved axially along and/or rotated about its longitudinal axis. The method includes a light source illuminating a portion of the setting stem; a light detector receiving a reflected or diffracted light pattern from the setting stem; a processor forming a first pixel pattern representative of the reflected light pattern at a first time instant; the processor forming a second pixel pattern representative of the reflected light pattern at a second, later time instant; and determining that the setting stem has been moved, if the second pixel pattern is different or shifted with respect to the first pixel pattern.

Abstract: A rotation angle detector comprises a rotating body including a plurality of track parts, and an abnormality detecting unit for detecting an abnormality based on signals generated in detection units. The detection units generate a first signal based on a first track part and a second signal based on a second track part. The abnormality detecting unit includes a judgement unit for judging an occurrence of an abnormality when the difference between the fluctuation range of the first signal and the fluctuation range of the second signal is larger than a predetermined fluctuation range judgement value.

Abstract: An optical detecting device has gas emission and pressure reduction function and includes a holder, a light penetrating component, a light detecting component, a hole structure, and a. The light penetrating component is disposed on the holder to form an accommodating space whereinside the light detecting component is disposed. The hole structure is formed on the holder to connect with the accommodating space. The waterproofing and ventilating component is disposed on the holder and covers the hole structure to prevent liquid from leaking into the accommodating space via the hole structure. While an inner gas pressure of the accommodating space is decreased, part of the gas is exhausted from the accommodating space via the hole structure and the waterproofing and ventilating component.

Abstract: A gesture sensing device includes a multiple segmented photo sensor and a control circuit for processing sensed voltages output from the sensor. The control circuit processes the sensed voltage signals to determine target motion relative to the segmented photo sensor. The control circuit includes an algorithm configured to calculate one of more differential analog signals using the sensed voltage signals output from the segmented photo sensors. A vector is determined according to the calculated differential analog signals, the vector is used to determine a direction and/or velocity of the target motion.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for confocal imaging of a non-flat specimen comprising a coherent light source for producing a light beam, imaging optics adapted to focus the light beam into at least one spot on a surface of a specimen, and a detector adapted to receive and detect light reflected from the specimen surface. The imaging optics comprise at least one optical component located so that the light reflected from the specimen surface passes therethrough on its way to the detector. The optical component is movable so as to move the at least one spot, within a range of movement, to a number of distinct locations in a plane perpendicular to the apparatus' optical axis, within the detector's integration time.

Abstract: Superconducting nanowire avalanche photodetectors (SNAPs) have using meandering nanowires to detect incident photons. When a superconducting nanowire absorbs a photon, it switches from a superconducting state to a resistive state, producing a change in voltage that can be measured across the nanowire. A SNAP may include multiple nanowires in order to increase the fill factor of the SNAP's active area and the SNAP's detection efficiency. But using multiple meandering nanowires to achieve high fill-factor in SNAPs can lead to current crowding at bends in the nanowires. This current crowding degrades SNAP performance by decreasing the switching current, which the current at which the nanowire transitions from a superconducting state to a resistive state. Fortunately, staggering the bends in the nanowires reduces current crowding, increasing the nanowire switching current, which in turn increases the SNAP dynamic range.

Abstract: A pixel element for an imaging sensor comprises a semiconductor substrate, a radiation-sensitive element configured to generate electric charges in response to incident radiation, a charge accumulation region provided in the semiconductor substrate configured to accumulate at least a portion of the electric charges, and an electrode arranged on the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the charge accumulation region. The electrode is electrically insulated from the semiconductor substrate such as to form an inversion region in the semiconductor substrate that connects to the charge accumulation region when a voltage is applied to said electrode.

Abstract: An arrangement for measuring process variables of a medium. The arrangement includes a housing embodied for accommodating a measuring apparatus for determining the physical and/or chemical process variable(s), wherein arranged in the housing is at least one window and at least the window contacts the medium, and wherein an oscillatory transducer is provided for transmitting sound waves, characterized in that the window is connected rigidly with the housing, the oscillatory transducer is arranged in a peripheral module having a module housing. The peripheral module is so arranged that the oscillatory transducer transmits the sound waves toward the window, wherein the sound waves pass through the module housing at an exit area, and the peripheral module is so arranged that medium is located in the region of the window and exit area.

Abstract: A photoelectric module of the present disclosure includes an optical device including an optical function element array made of a first base material, and a plurality of light emitting/receiving elements made of a second base material, wherein the optical function element array includes an optical substrate and a plurality of optical function elements, the optical substrate having a first surface and a second surface, and the optical function elements being integrated with the optical substrate and being arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally, and the light emitting/receiving elements and their respective optical function elements face each other with the optical substrate in between to be located on a same axis in a direction perpendicular to the optical substrate, and the light emitting/receiving elements are disposed on the second surface with a space in between while being separated in units of a smaller number than array number in the optical function element array.