Abstract: A focal-plane array includes an array of pixels. Each pixel includes an avalanche-type diode on a first layer, a read-out circuit (ROIC) on a second layer, and a power-supply circuit on a middle layer stacked between the first layer and the second layer. Since each pixel includes the avalanche-type diode, the ROIC, and the power-supply circuit on different layers circuitry for each pixel is in a top-down footprint of the pixel. Thus a consistent bias voltage to each pixel, decouples the avalanche-type diodes of the different pixels to eliminate crosstalk between adjacent pixels, and allows for individual control of each pixel.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a solid-state light detection and ranging (LiDAR) transmitter includes a tunable optical metasurface to selectively steer incident optical radiation long an azimuth axis. In some embodiments, different subsets of lasers in an array of lasers are activated to generate optical radiation for incidence on the metasurface at different angles of incidence on an elevation axis for unsteered deflection by the metasurface at corresponding angles of elevation. In some embodiments, a prism is positioned relative to the tunable optical metasurface to deflect the optical radiation from the optical assembly by the optical radiation source for incidence on the metasurface at an angle of incidence that is between the first steering angle and the second steering angle, such that the optical radiation incident on the metasurface and the steered output optical radiation from the metasurface spatially overlap within the prism.

Abstract: A sensor window may include a substrate and a set of layers disposed onto the substrate. The set of layers may include a first subset of layers of a first refractive index and a second set of layers of a second refractive index different from the first refractive index. The set of layers may be associated with a threshold transmissivity in a sensing spectral range. The set of layers may be configured to a particular color in a visible spectral range and may be associated with a threshold opacity in the visible spectral range.

Abstract: A sensor comprising a light emitter and light detector coupled directly with or formed directly on a lead frame and directly covered and encapsulated by a layer of light transmissive compound. A gap in the light transmissive compound between the light emitter and the light detector wherein in some embodiments the gap can be filled with a light blocking barrier material.

Abstract: A transmitting unit of a LIDAR device includes at least two radiation sources for generating and emitting punctiform or linear electromagnetic beams into a scanning range, at least one of the radiation sources including an operating temperature settable as a function of an emission angle of the electromagnetic beams generated by the at least one radiation source. The different operating temperatures can generate beams having angle-dependent emission wavelengths, which can result in an improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio of a LIDAR device.

Abstract: This invention provides devices for use in various analytical applications including single-molecule analytical reactions. Methods for detecting analytes optically by propagating optical energy by waveguides within a substrate are provided. Analytical devices are provided which have both shallow and deep waveguides in which illumination light is transported through the deep waveguides and coupled into the shallow waveguides. The shallow waveguides provide evanescent field illumination to analytes, such as single-molecule analytes, within nanometer scale wells. Integrated devices including integrated detectors such as CMOS detectors are included.

Abstract: A bi-static optical system utilizing a separate transmit and receive optical train that are identically steerable in azimuth-over-elevation fashion while accommodating an autoboresight technique and function. Further provided may be a common elevation assembly with two opposite-facing elevation fold mirrors on either side that are controlled by the same motor assembly allowing for common elevation control without overlapping or combining the apertures.

Abstract: Example aspects are directed to operating a SPAD receiver such as may be used in a light detection and ranging (Lidar) system. In one example, the SPAD receiver has SPAD circuitry for multiple photon detections using a single-channel TDC (time-to-digital converter), and such photon detection is quenched after detection so as to establish an effective pre-defined OFF period. In response, the SPAD circuitry is recharged for a subsequent ON period during which the SPAD circuitry is unquenched (or armed) for further photon detection and processing.

Abstract: A reflective spatial light modulator includes an electro-optic crystal having an input surface to which input light is input and a rear surface opposing the input surface, a light input/output unit being disposed on the input surface of the electro-optic crystal and having a first electrode through which the input light is transmitted, a light reflection unit including a substrate including a plurality of second electrodes and an adhesive layer for fixing the substrate to the rear surface and being disposed on the rear surface of the electro-optic crystal, and a drive circuit applying an electric field between the first electrode and the plurality of second electrodes.

Abstract: An avalanche photo-diode (APD) circuit includes a first APD and a bias circuit. The first APD is configured to detect light. The bias circuit is configured to control a gain of the first APD. The bias circuit includes a second APD, a reference voltage source, a bias voltage generation circuit, and a metal layer configured to shield the second APD from the light. The reference voltage source is configured to bias the second APD. The bias voltage generation circuit is configured to generate a bias voltage for biasing the first APD based on dark current output by the second APD.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to enable a system for wide-range scanning of objects in three-dimensions. A broad-beam, laser-based transmitter is provided that is adapted to generate a scanning signal to be transmitted in a scanning direction toward an object to be scanned, a portion of the scanning signal being reflected by the object to be scanned. Additionally, a scanning signal collection lens is provided that is adapted to receive the portion of reflected scanning signal and to direct the reflected scanning signal to a mirror array, the mirror array adapted to selectively direct a directed portion of the reflected scanning signal as well as a detector lens adapted to receive the directed scanning signal, the collection lens adapted to focus the directed scanning signal resulting in a focused directed signal and a photoelectric detector adapted to convert the focused directed scanning signal into at least one electronic representation of a two-dimensional image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for implementing a technique for adaptively assigning weighting factors to position and orientation determinations in an electromagnetic or hybrid tracking system having multiple transmitters or multiple receivers. The apparatus may reduce the impact of eddy current distortion to the position and orientation determinations.

Abstract: An exemplary wearable brain interface system includes a head-mountable component and a control system. The head-mountable component includes an array of photodetectors that includes a photodetector comprising a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) and a fast-gating circuit configured to arm and disarm the SPAD. The control system is for controlling a current drawn by the array of photodetectors.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a light receiving element and a ranging module that can improve characteristics. A light receiving element includes: light receiving regions each including a first voltage application unit to which a first voltage is applied, a first charge detection unit provided around the first voltage application unit, a second voltage application unit to which a second voltage different from the first voltage is applied, and a second charge detection unit provided around the second voltage application unit; and an isolation portion that is arranged at a boundary between the light receiving regions adjacent to each other, and isolates the light receiving regions from each other. The present technology can be applied to a light receiving element.

Abstract: A time of flight sensor has an image region and a storage region on a device which may be a CCD. A pulse of light illuminates an object, and an image illumination stripe is recorded on the image region. In a distance determining step, the image region is clocked after emitting the pulse of light and the row in which the image illumination stripe is illuminated gives a measure of the distance to the object. The apparatus can self calibrated by emitting a pulse of light without clocking the image region.

Abstract: An optical sensor device has a transmission unit for emitting light, a receiving unit for light emitted by the transmission unit, and an evaluation unit for evaluating a receive signal, which is based on the received light, wherein the emitted light is designed as a light pulse which is based on a transmission signal, which has a signal shape with a rising and/or falling flank, wherein the receive signal has substantially the same signal shape as the transmission signal, wherein the evaluation unit is suitable for scanning the receive signal at at least one scanning point in its rising and/or falling flank.

Abstract: An optical device includes: a light source that emits laser light; an optical waveguide element positioned on the optical path of the laser light; a first member positioned on the optical path, and has a bottom surface that faces the optical waveguide element, and a side surface that is rotationally symmetric about the optical path; and a control circuit. The optical waveguide element includes: a first grating that includes a plurality of portions arranged in the radial direction and having mutually different refractive indices, and that causes a portion of the laser light that is incident to be propagated in the radial direction within the optical waveguide element; and a second grating that includes a plurality of portions arranged outside the first grating, arranged in the radial direction, and having mutually different refractive indices, and that causes light to be emitted from the optical waveguide element.

Abstract: A first SPAD array on which at least one first light beam that is at least one pulse light beam is incident and which is operated in Geiger mode, a second SPAD array on which at least one second light beam resulting from the at least one first light beam reflected by a detection object is incident and which is operated in Geiger mode, a voltage generation unit that applies a reverse bias voltage to the first SPAD array and the second SPAD array, and a SPAD photon detection rate controller that adjusts and controls a SPAD photon detection rate in accordance with a first photon detection rate indicating a rate of the number of at least one pulse signal output by the second SPAD array upon incidence of the at least one second light beam relative to the number of the at least one pulse light beam are included.

Abstract: Examples relate to a method for determining distance information of an object using a Time of Flight (ToF) system and to a ToF system. The method includes emitting modulated light towards the object using a light source. The method includes measuring a reflection of the modulated light using a ToF sensor module. The reflection of the modulated light is generated by successive reflections of the modulated light by the object and by an additional reflective surface. The method includes determining the distance information of the object based on the measured reflection of the modulated light.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image element and an optical radar device that have low cost and are capable of detecting a distance to a measurement object at a close distance before a final result of counting the number of pulses is acquired are realized. A pixel storage element has a plurality of binary counters that integrate the number of electrical pulses at mutually different timings and the reading of data by a signal processing circuit and the integration are able to be performed in parallel.