Abstract: An optical detector comprises a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising a photodiode operable to detect light incident on that pixel and to generate a signal indicative of an intensity of that light. The plurality of pixels comprises a plurality of pixel pairs, and for each pixel pair, in a configuration mode, the detector is arranged to compare the signal generated by a first pixel of the pair with the signal generated by a second pixel of the pair. A method of optical detection is also described, as is a system incorporating the described optical detector.

Abstract: A fiber optical superconducting nanowire detector with increased detector efficiency, fabricated directly on the tip of the input optical fiber. The fabrication on the tip of the fiber allows precise alignment of the detector to the fiber core, where the field mode is maximal. This construction maximizes the coupling efficiency to close to unity, without the need for complex alignment procedures, such as the need to align the input fiber with a previously fabricated device. The device includes a high-Q optical cavity, such that any photon entering the device will be reflected to and fro within the cavity numerous times, thereby increasing its chances of absorption by the nanowire structure. This is achieved by using dedicated cavity mirrors with very high reflectivity, with the meander nanowire structure contained within the cavity between the end mirrors, such that photons impinge on the nanowire structure with every traverse of the cavity.

Abstract: Described herein are technologies pertaining to computing the solar irradiance distribution on a surface of a receiver in a concentrating solar power system or glint/glare emitted from a reflective entity. At least one camera captures images of the Sun and the entity of interest, wherein the images have pluralities of pixels having respective pluralities of intensity values. Based upon the intensity values of the pixels in the respective images, the solar irradiance distribution on the surface of the entity or glint/glare corresponding to the entity is computed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sensing pixel and an image sensor including the same. The sensing pixel includes a determination region, which includes one or more floating body transistors, and an integration region that is adjacent to a floating body region of one of the one or more floating body transistors, absorbs light to generate an electron-hole pair including an electron and a positive hole, and transfers the electron or the positive hole to the floating body region of the one floating body transistor.

Abstract: A process is provided for mapping temperatures in an enclosure during a combustion process. A device setting of an image-capturing device is provided. An intensity-temperature mapping is generated by performing an intensity-temperature calibration based on an intensity of an image pixel in a field of view (FOV) generated by the image-capturing device, a corresponding temperature measurement, and a selected device setting. Each emitted radiation of selected regions is detected based on a first image in the FOV. At least one region is determined whether the region is poor responsive, based on the intensity-temperature mapping associated with the device setting. The at least one poor responsive region is replaced with acceptable regions unaffected by the saturation from at least one other image captured at a different device setting for higher temperature resolution.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical sensor module, an optical sensing accessory, and an optical sensing device. An optical sensor module comprises a light source, a photodetector, and a substrate. The light source is configured to convert electric power into radiant energy and emit light to an object surface. The photodetector is configured to receive the light from an object surface and convert radiant energy into electrical current or voltage. An optical sensing accessory and an optical sensing device comprise the optical sensor module and other electronic modules to have further applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for processing information delivered by a photon detector, comprising: an analogue circuit for generating a signal comprising a series of pulses, each pulse having an amplitude proportional to the energy freed by an interaction of a photon in the detector; an analogue circuit for determining the instant at which the amplitude of a pulse of the signal is maximal; and an element for capturing the value of the signal at said instant.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of photodiodes arranged in an array and disposed in a semiconductor material with pinning wells disposed between individual photodiodes in the plurality of photodiodes. The image sensor also includes a microlens layer. The microlens layer is disposed proximate to the semiconductor material and is optically aligned with the plurality of photodiodes. A spacer layer disposed between the semiconductor material and the microlens layer. The spacer layer has a concave cross-sectional profile across the array, and the microlens layer is conformal with the concave cross-sectional profile of the spacer layer.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an interposer on which an image sensor including a light reception section is disposed; a translucent member that is provided on the light reception section; and a mold that is formed in sides of the interposer having a rectangular shape and bonded to the translucent member to support the translucent member, the mold including a seal surface that is bonded to the translucent member, the seal surface being provided with a protrusion.

Abstract: Provided is an image sensor including a pixel array including a plurality of pixels and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to compare a reference voltage with an analog voltage output by the pixel array and latch and decode a comparison result. The ADC is controlled in response to clock information and a counter clock, which are obtained by expanding and encoding a master clock.

Abstract: A circuit is provided. The circuit includes a single-photon avalanche diode. The circuit further includes a delay element comprising a first regulator and a second regulator, each of which is independently selectable based on a selection signal applied to a selection terminal of the delay element. The delay element is configured to receive, at an inverting section, an event signal indicative of an avalanche event in the single-photon avalanche diode. Furthermore, the delay element is configurable in one of two distinct delay resolution regimes, each corresponding to only one edge of the event signal being actively delayed by the delay element when one of the first regulator and the second regulator is enabled and the other one of the first regulator and the second regulator is turned off.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a noise removing device includes a first difference detector and a second difference detector. The first difference detector detects a difference between a first reset signal at a first timing and a second reset signal at a second timing after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the first timing. The second difference detector subtracts the difference detected by the first difference detector from a main signal between the first reset signal and the second reset signal, and outputs a subtraction result.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical sensor module, an optical sensing accessory, and an optical sensing device. An optical sensor module comprises a light source, a photodetector, and a substrate. The light source is configured to convert electric power into radiant energy and emit light to an object surface. The photodetector is configured to receive the light from an object surface and convert radiant energy into electrical current or voltage. An optical sensing accessory and an optical sensing device comprise the optical sensor module and other electronic modules to have further applications.

Abstract: A spatial beam shaper structure and a corresponding optical system are provided. The spatial beam shaper structure comprises a light collecting surface configured for affecting light impinging thereon to provide a substantially smooth light profile of at least one optical property, the light collecting surface having a pattern in the form of multiple surface regions comprising regions of at least two different optical properties arranged in an alternating fashion, wherein an interface region between each two locally adjacent regions of the different optical properties has the at least two different optical properties, to provide substantially smooth transition of said different optical properties within the interface region.

Abstract: A gas detection apparatus includes a housing which carries a plurality of light emitting diodes which are coupled in parallel and which emit substantially the same wavelength of radiant energy. A closed loop control circuit maintains the radiant energy output of the diodes at substantially a predetermined value. The radiant light radiant light and a sample of a gas of interest are directed to a sensing position at which a gas responsive tape is positioned. Reflected light from the tape is detected at a sensor displaced from the tape. A light collecting element can be positioned between the coupled diodes and the sensing position.

Abstract: There is provided an image sensor including pixels each configured to include a transfer transistor configured as an embedded channel type MOS transistor and to output a pixel signal based on a charge transferred to a floating diffusion from a photodiode by the transfer transistor in an on state, and a determination unit configured to convert the output pixel signal to a digital value, then compare the converted digital value to a threshold value, and thereby make a binary determination on presence or absence of incidence of a photon on the pixel that has generated the pixel signal.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: multiple pixels. Each pixel is arranged at a surface layer portion of a semiconductor substrate, and includes: a photoelectric conversion portion that converts light incident into an electric charge; a charge holding portion that stores the electric charge, and is arranged in the semiconductor substrate; a multiplication gate electrode that is capacitively coupled with the charge holding portion, and is arranged on the semiconductor substrate via an insulation film; and a charge barrier portion that is arranged between the charge holding portion and the insulation film, and has a higher impurity concentration than the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A light sensing circuit for solving the problem of low reliability in illumination detection includes a photo transistor having a gate, a drain and a source; a first transistor electrically connecting between the gate and source of the photo transistor; a first capacitor electrically connecting between the gate and the drain of the photo transistor; a second transistor electrically connecting with the drain of the photo transistor, the first capacitor, and a data signal; a second capacitor electrically connecting between the source of the photo transistor and a ground contact; a third transistor electrically connecting with the photo transistor, the first transistor, and the second capacitor; and a switch adapted to alternatively connect the third transistor with a buffer or a zero signal. A control method of the above light sensing circuit is also disclosed. Therefore, the above identified problem can be surely solved.

Abstract: A spectral filter includes an assembly of filtering cells. Each cell has a same nanostructured pattern and a preferential direction of the pattern. This preferential direction is, for each cell, oriented approximately radially with respect to a single point of the spectral filter. Alternatively, this preferential direction is, for each cell, oriented approximately ortho-radially with respect to the single point of the spectral filter. The single point may be a center point. Alternatively, the single point may correspond to an optical axis of a lens element associated with the spectral filter.

Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging device capable of correcting a blackening phenomenon caused by intense light, with a small-scale circuit configuration. An AD converter 130 that performs sampling of an output voltage VS on a column signal line 111 includes a comparator 131 that compares the output voltage VS with a ramp-wave reference voltage during a sampling period; a judging circuit 132 that accepts as input an output from the comparator 131 and judges a voltage level of the output voltage VS; and a memory portion 133 that stores, as a digital value, a count value corresponding to the output voltage VS, based on an output from the judging circuit 132.