Abstract: An apparatus includes a single photon avalanche diode pixel that includes a single photon avalanche diode and an output transistor configured to provide an analog output current from the single photon avalanche diode. The single photon avalanche diode pixel is configured to operate in a first mode to output a digital single photon detection event. The single photon avalanche diode pixel is further configured to operate in a second mode to output the analog output current indicating a level of illumination of the pixel.

Abstract: In a case made of resin and provided with a condensing lens through which light is transmitted, a circuit board on which a photoelectric element to be disposed at the focus position of the condensing lens is accommodated. The circuit board has a through hole through which the light having been transmitted through the condensing lens passes. Furthermore, the photoelectric element is mounted on the back face of the circuit board on the opposite side of the condensing lens and receives the light having passed through the through hole.

Abstract: A current conduction element includes an electrical conductor and an insulation of the electrical conductor. The insulation includes a light waveguiding unit. Furthermore, a system and method for insulation monitoring are described.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising at least one pair of first and second photodetectors, each photodetector of the photodetector pair comprising a channel member, respective source and drain electrodes configured to enable a flow of electrical current through the channel member between the source and drain electrodes, and a plurality of quantum dots configured to generate electron-hole pairs on exposure to incident electromagnetic radiation to produce a detectable change in the electrical current flowing through the channel member, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the first and second photodetectors of the photodetector pair generate electron-hole pairs which produce an increase and decrease in electrical current through the channel members respectively, the combined change in electrical current of the pair of first and second photodetectors being indicative of one or more of the presence and magnitude of the incident electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a photodetector element (11) that converts an optical signal into an electric current signal; a transimpedance amplifier (12a) that converts the electric current signal into a voltage signal; a differential amplifier (12d) that converts the voltage signal into a differential signal, by performing differential amplification of a difference between the voltage signal and a threshold voltage; an LOS detection circuit that detects a no-signal section of the optical signal; and an MCU that repeatedly executes offset cancellation processing, the offset cancellation processing including threshold voltage change processing in which the threshold voltage is changed such that an offset voltage of the differential signal is reduced, the MCU 13 skipping the threshold voltage change processing in the no-signal section.

Abstract: Local strain and optionally other properties of an optical sensing fiber are detected as a function of position along the optical sensing fiber. A light pulse with a plurality of simultaneous laser modes at mutually different wavelengths is transmitted into the optical sensing fiber. Light produced by backscattering of the light pulse in the optical fiber is fed to a multi-way coupler, via a first and second optical path with different optical path lengths. Intensities of different phase combinations of light from the paths are detected by detectors at the outputs of the multiway coupler. A data processing system computes relative phase values of light from the first and second paths for a series to time points with time delays corresponding to scattering at different positions along the fiber. In an embodiment, inelastically scattered light such as due to Brillouin scattering and/or Raman scattered light is selective passed to the detectors and detected.

Abstract: A light sensing circuit includes a photomultiplier in electrical communication with an array of capacitors or resistors. Each capacitor or resistor in the array having an associated switch and having a capacitance or resistance different from every other capacitor or resistor in the array. Each switch has an open state and a closed state, thus enabling each capacitor or resistor to be placed in electrical communication with the photomultiplier or be isolated from the photomultiplier. The switchable array may be in electrical communication with an analog to digital converter (ADC) or a transimpedance amplifier (TIA). The switchable array allows the ADC or TIA to be sensitive to low value signals and operate at a large dynamic range and operate at a fast rate.

Abstract: A dual-threaded bushing and spacer assembly capable of accepting standard adhesive staking and thereby enabling compliance with NASA space flight fastener staking requirements. The assembly comprises a bushing having a head with top and bottom surfaces, inner threads, and outer threads, and a spacer having top and bottom surfaces and arranged to accept the bushing. This is achieved by providing a counterbored countersink in the spacer which provides a countersunk surface within the spacer. The countersunk surface provides a contact surface for the bushing head's bottom surface when the bushing is installed in the spacer. The spacer is further arranged such that the countersunk surface is such that, when the bushing is installed, the bushing's top surface is below the spacer's top surface. When so arranged, adhesive staking can be placed between the bushing's top surface and the spacer's vertical counterbored surface.

Abstract: A summation circuit (1) for summing one or more signals received from a photomultiplier array is proposed. The summation circuit comprises one or more readout circuits (5) coupleable to one or more photodiodes of the photomultiplier array (2), respectively, and a channel summing module (50), coupled at one or more outputs of the one or more readout circuits, respectively, to sum the one or more signals provided by the one or more readout circuits. The one or more readout circuits are coupleable to the photodiode of the photomultiplier array. Each readout circuit (5) comprises one or more coefficient controllers (C1, C2) for controlling multiplying coefficients of the received signal. The coefficient controllers may be placed at the input and/or at the output of the readout circuits (5).

Abstract: A sensing system to process at least one valuable document is described herein. The system includes a light source to generate a light beam. The system also includes at least one light pipe having one or more diverting surfaces to direct the light beam at a predetermined angle of incidence onto the valuable document. At least one reflective surface, to receive a first portion of the light beam transmitted through the valuable document and to reflect off the first portion of the light beam towards the valuable document, is included. A light detector is configured to receive at least a second portion of the light beam re-transmitted through the valuable document.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate provided with an effective pixel region including a light receiving section that photoelectrically converts incident light; an interconnection layer that is provided at a plane side opposite to the light receiving plane of the semiconductor substrate; a first groove portion that is provided between adjacent light receiving sections and is formed at a predetermined depth from the light receiving plane side of the semiconductor substrate; and an insulating material that is embedded in at least a part of the first groove portion.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes: a photodiode provided in a silicon substrate, and configured to generate electric charge corresponding to an amount of received light, by performing photoelectric conversion; and a transfer transistor provided at an epitaxial layer on the silicon substrate, and configured to transfer the electric charge generated in the photodiode, wherein the transfer transistor includes a gate electrode and a channel region, the gate electrode being embedded in the epitaxial layer, and the channel region surrounding the gate electrode, and the channel region has, in a thickness direction, a concentration gradient in which a curvature of a potential gradient is free from a mixture of plus and minus signs.

Abstract: A method of detecting tampering with a conveyance medium may include determining a baseline brightness level detected at opposing ends of an optical fiber segment disposed proximate to the conveyance medium, determining whether a change in brightness above a threshold level occurs, and providing an output indicating that a breach in continuity of a shielding material that shields both the conveyance medium and the optical fiber segment from exposure to ambient light has occurred in response to the change in brightness being above the threshold level.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device capable of suppressing the generation of dark current and/or leakage current is provided. The solid-state image pickup device has a first substrate provided with a photoelectric converter on its primary face, a first wiring structure having a first bonding portion which contains a conductive material, a second substrate provided with a part of a peripheral circuit on its primary face, and a second wiring structure having a second bonding portion which contains a conductive material. In addition, the first bonding portion and the second bonding portion are bonded so that the first substrate, the first wiring structure, the second wiring structure, and the second substrate are disposed in this order. Furthermore, the conductive material of the first bonding portion and the conductive material of the second bonding portion are surrounded with diffusion preventing films.

Abstract: An analog signal bus driving circuit includes a plurality of signal sources, a plurality of signal output amplifiers, a plurality of shield drive amplifiers, and a time-division control circuit. The plurality of signal sources generate a plurality of analog signals. The plurality of signal output amplifiers output the plurality of analog signals to at least one signal line. The plurality of shield drive amplifiers output the plurality of analog signals to a shield line. The shield line extends along the at least one signal line to at least partially surround the at least one signal line. The time-division control circuit sequentially drives the plurality of signal output amplifiers in a time-division manner to sequentially output the plurality of analog signals in a time-division manner from the plurality of signal sources to the at least one signal line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical module for an optical unit, said method comprising: Arranging a tubular body including a casing manufactured in stainless steel, said casing defining an internal surface, a longitudinal axis (X), and a thickness (T), the cross-section of which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; Reducing a first thickness of a first section of said casing in a uniform manner for a segment of length (L) along a longitudinal axis (X) of said casing up to a first predetermined thickness (T1) by means of wire-cut electrical discharge machining; Inserting a support holding an electromagnetic radiation emitter and/or a receiver in said casing.

Abstract: A photographing optical lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element with negative refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power, and an object-side surface and an image-side surface thereof are aspheric. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface, wherein an object-side surface and the image-side surface thereof are aspheric, and at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface thereof has at least one inflection point.

Abstract: A system and method for visually monitoring an outrigger includes a camera assembly configured to monitor an outrigger and a control system operably and communicably connected to the camera assembly. The control system executes instructions to determine a presence, length, and/or position of the outrigger based by an image captured by the camera assembly. The outrigger may include a target to be detected by the camera assembly for monitoring of the outrigger. The target may be the outrigger itself, detected by the control system using edge detection, or a marker disposed on the outrigger. The system may be implemented with a crane having a carrier unit and a superstructure. The system may include a plurality of camera assemblies and a plurality of outriggers.

Abstract: Imaging sensors, imaging apparatuses, and methods of driving an image sensor are provided. An image sensor can include a semiconductor substrate with a photoelectric conversion element and a charge-conversion element. The sensor can further include a capacitance switch. A charge accumulation element is located adjacent the photoelectric conversion element. At least a portion of the charge accumulation element overlaps a charge accumulation region of the photoelectric conversion element. The charge accumulation element is selectively connected to the charge-voltage conversion element by the capacitance switch.

Abstract: A passive bias temperature compensation module for silicon photomultiplier, avalanche photodiodes and similar photodetectors that possess a moderately linear temperature coefficient of gain and that may be compensated by varying an applied bias voltage. The module includes an electrical circuit and a method for determining component values to provide a constant voltage source to stabilize the gain of one or more photodetector devices. A temperature sensor in the module is held in close thermal contact with the photodetector and a filter capacitor is electrically close to the photodetector. The module is based on the concept of temperature sensitive voltage division which is applicable to situations in which large numbers of photodetectors must be gain-compensated for temperature variations over a wide range while maintaining excellent gain matching. The passive bias temperature compensation method enables multiple photodetectors to share a single constant voltage supply without loss of matching performance.