Abstract: Examination of a microscopic specimen is described. Height information for a respective plurality of lateral regions of the specimen is obtained from each of multiple specimen recordings, in which the height information of each specimen recording is limited to a respective height measurement range and the height measurement ranges of different specimen recordings are different. An overall image is calculated from the specimen recordings, in which overall image height information of the different specimen recordings is combined.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a first column pair and a second column pair among a plurality of columns of a pixel array, an analog-to-digital converter pair, and a switch arrangement circuit configured to connect the first column pair with the analog-to-digital converter pair in response to first switch control signals such that two rows among a plurality of rows in the pixel array are read during a single access time.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a photosensing element for receiving infrared (IR) radiation and detecting the IR radiation and generating an electrical signal indicative of the IR radiation. A redistribution layer (RDL) is disposed under the photosensing element, the RDL comprising pattern of conductors for receiving the electrical signal. An IR reflection layer, an IR absorption layer or an isolation layer is disposed between the photosensing element and the RDL. The IR reflection layer, IR absorption layer or isolation layer provides a barrier to IR radiation such that the IR radiation does not impinge upon the RDL. As a result, a ghost image of the RDL is not generated, resulting in reduced noise and improved sensitivity and performance of the image sensor.

Abstract: An analytical instrument may have multiple distinct channels. Such may include one or more illumination sources and sensors. Illumination may be delivered to specific locations of a specimen holder, and returned illumination may be delivered to specific locations of a sensor array. Illumination may first pass a specimen, and a mirror or reflector may then return the illumination past the specimen. Optical splitters may be employed to couple pairs of fiber optics proximate a specimen holder. Such channels may further include a plurality of illumination sources positioned on one side of a specimen holder and a plurality of sensors on the other side. The plurality of sensor may capture image of a specimen and a spectrophotometer may concurrently scan the specimen. A plurality of specimens may be imaged and scanned in a single pass of a plurality of passes. Spherical or ball lenses may be placed in an optical path of the illumination to achieve a desired illumination pattern.

Abstract: A multilayer film or skin for free space optical data transmission includes a first outer layer. The first outer layer has a first laterally extending area that transmits optical data signals received over a range of incident angle. A second layer that includes a second laterally extending area underlies the first layer. At least a portion of the optical data signals received by the second layer from the first outer layer is focused or otherwise concentrated into a substantially reduced area. An optical detector receives the concentrated optical data signals from the second layer. An electrical connection extends from the optical detector to an external receiving device. The multilayer film or skin may be used, for example, in applications involving mobile free space optical communication platforms where low profile, volume and mass and/or enhanced platforms are important.

Abstract: A device is disclosed herein which may comprise a droplet generator producing droplets of target material; a sensor providing an intercept time signal when a droplet reaches a preselected location; a delay circuit coupled with said sensor, the delay circuit generating a trigger signal delayed from the intercept time signal; a laser source responsive to a trigger signal to produce a laser pulse; and a system controlling said delay circuit to provide a trigger signal delayed from the intercept time by a first delay time to generate a light pulse that is focused on a droplet and a trigger signal delayed from the intercept time by a second delay time to generate a light pulse which is not focused on a droplet.

Abstract: A motion sensor comprises: a plurality of first light emitting elements, which emit lights having mutually different characteristics in the region of movement of the object to be detected; a light receiving element, which receives reflected light that is emitted from the first light emitting elements and reflected by the object to be detected; a second light emitting element, which emits light towards the light receiving element; and a separation member. A light guiding part, which guides light emitted from the second light emitting element so as directly irradiate the light receiving element, without passing through the region of movement of the object to be detected, and light blocking parts, which block light so that light from the first light emitting elements does not directly irradiate the light receiving element, are formed integrally with the separation member.

Abstract: An image sensor including: light guides for irradiating light onto an irradiated object; a lens that focuses reflected light that was reflected by the irradiated object; a sensor that receives the reflected light that was focused by the lens; and a housing. The housing houses or holds the light guides, the lens, and the sensor, and is formed by integrating a housing metal portion and a housing resin portion.

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 method for sensing using a multi-band photovoltaic detector, the method including biasing the photovoltaic detector using a bias voltage at a mid-point of a detector substrate bias voltage range, selecting a first band of the multi-band photovoltaic detector, sensing a first current from a first diode of the multi-band photovoltaic detector, the first diode being associated with the first band, selecting a second band of the multi-band photovoltaic detector; and sensing a second current from a second diode of the multi-band photovoltaic detector, the second diode being associated with the second band.

Abstract: A transmissive optical encoder includes a light emitting element, a light receiving element, a rotatable disk provided with slits and rotatable together with an object of detection, and an optical waveguide having an inlet facing the light emitting element and an outlet facing the light receiving element. The light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged on the same side in relation to the rotatable disk. The optical waveguide is fixed independently of rotational movement of the rotatable disk.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a light out-coupling arrangement for a touch sensitive system comprising a light guide of a material with a refractive index ng and a top surface configured to be exposed to ambient light, and a bottom surface. The out-coupling arrangement comprises at least one detector arranged along the periphery of the light guide and configured to receive the light propagating in the light guide and an optical filter provided between the light guide and the at least one detector. The optical filter has a first side and a second side where the first side is arranged to face the at least one detector, and the second side is arranged to receive light from the light guide.

Abstract: Positioning precision between an image-acquisition device and an objective lens is enhanced by suppressing manufacturing errors. Provided is an endoscope image-acquisition unit equipped with an objective-lens-unit frame that holds an objective lens and an image-acquisition-device holding frame that is fitted to the objective-lens-unit frame and that holds an image-acquisition device, wherein the objective-lens-unit frame and the image-acquisition-device holding frame are attached and secured to each other by means of thermosetting resin that is applied to fitting portions therebetween and in which polar-molecule materials are mixed, and one of the objective-lens-unit frame and the image-acquisition-device holding frame, whichever one is positioned outside at the fitting portions, is formed of a material that allows microwaves to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An image sensor architecture provides an SNR in excess of 100 dB, without requiring the use of a mechanical shutter. The circuit components for an active pixel sensor array are separated and arranged vertically in at least two different layers in a hybrid chip structure. The top layer is preferably manufactured using a low-noise PMOS manufacturing process, and includes the photodiode and amplifier circuitry for each pixel. A bottom layer is preferably manufactured using a standard CMOS process, and includes the NMOS pixel circuit components and any digital circuitry required for signal processing. By forming the top layer in a PMOS process optimized for forming low-noise pixels, the pixel performance can be greatly improved, compared to using CMOS. In addition, since the digital circuitry is now separated from the imaging circuitry, it can be formed using a standard CMOS process, which has been optimized for circuit speed and manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An image sensor architecture provides an SNR in excess of 100 dB, without requiring the use of a mechanical shutter. The circuit components for an active pixel sensor array are separated and arranged vertically in at least two different layers in a hybrid chip structure. The top layer is preferably manufactured using a low-noise PMOS manufacturing process, and includes the photodiode and amplifier circuitry for each pixel. A bottom layer is preferably manufactured using a standard CMOS process, and includes the NMOS pixel circuit components and any digital circuitry required for signal processing. By forming the top layer in a PMOS process optimized for forming low-noise pixels, the pixel performance can be greatly improved, compared to using CMOS. In addition, since the digital circuitry is now separated from the imaging circuitry, it can be formed using a standard CMOS process, which has been optimized for circuit speed and manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus having pixels is provided. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion unit including a charge accumulation region, an output unit configured to output a signal based on a potential of a node electrically connected to the charge accumulation region, and a connection unit configured to electrically connect a capacitance to the node. The charge accumulation region includes a first portion and a second portion. Charge is configured to be first accumulated in the first portion, and, after the first portion is saturated, be accumulated in the second portion. The output unit is configured to output a first signal based on the potential of the node before the capacitance is connected thereto, and, then a second signal based on the potential of the node after the capacitance is connected thereto.

Abstract: A microscope for high spatial resolution imaging a structure of interest in a sample comprising a substance having a first state with first spectral properties and a second state with second spectral properties, the microscope comprising: an objective-lens assembly, a wave front modulating optical device adapted to spatially vary an intensity of a transfer light beam, a probe detector arranged to detect an optical measurement signal from a portion of the substance in the second state and placed in an area of the transfer light beam with an intensity adapted not to transfer the substance between the first and second states said microscope comprising a phase contrast microscopy system which includes an intensity detector arranged to detect an intensity of an illuminating light beam after said illuminating light beam has passed through the sample, the objective-lens assembly and the wave front modulating optical device.

Abstract: A unit pixel of a stacked image sensor includes a stacked photoelectric conversion unit, a first and second signal generating units. The stacked photoelectric conversion unit includes first, second and third photoelectric conversion elements that are stacked on each other. The first, second and third photoelectric conversion elements collect first, second and third photocharges based on first, second and third components of incident light. The first signal generating unit generates a first pixel signal based on the first photocharges and a first signal node and generates a second pixel signal based on the second photocharges and the first signal node. The second signal generating unit generates a third pixel signal based on the third photocharges and a second signal node. At least a portion of the second signal generating unit is shared by the first signal generating unit.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device including a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels are arranged. The pixels each includes a photoelectric conversion section, a transfer transistor, a plurality of floating diffusion sections that receive a charge from the photoelectric conversion section through the transfer transistor, a reset transistor that resets the floating diffusion sections, a separating transistor that performs on-off control of a connection between the plurality of floating diffusion sections, and an amplifying transistor that outputs a signal corresponding to a potential of the floating diffusion sections.

Abstract: An optical viewing apparatus may include an objective lens assembly and an one eye piece assembly connected to the objective lens assembly. The optical viewing apparatus may exhibit a field of view in the range of between 40° and, preferably beyond 80°, and an eye-relief of at least 15 mm, and the optical viewing apparatus may exhibit a foveated image for at least one field of view (FOV) wherein the optical on-axis resolution decays toward the periphery of the field of view.