Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including an electrochromic element, wherein the electrochromic element includes a complementary-type EC layer including a solvent and an anodic redox substance and a cathodic redox substance dissolved in the solvent, and image processing is performed based on a charge imbalance current flowing between a first electrode and a second electrode when a voltage lower than the voltage causing a substantial change in the transmittance of the EC layer is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses and methods for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and quantifying a relative contribution of each component to the supercurve.

Abstract: An electromagnetic signal detector includes a photonic crystal substrate, an antenna disposed on the substrate and having an active feed region and a ground region spaced apart from one another by a gap, a photonic crystal disposed on the substrate at the gap, and an electro optic polymer disposed on the photonic crystal.

Abstract: A light sensor and a ranging method are provided. The light sensor includes a light source, a sensing sub-pixel, and a control circuit. The sensing sub-pixel includes a diode. The control circuit operates the diode in a Geiger mode or an avalanche linear mode. The control circuit includes a time-to-digital converter, and the time-to-digital converter includes a counting circuit. The counting circuit includes a plurality of counting units. When the time-to-digital converter receives a sensing signal provided by the sensing sub-pixel, the control circuit generates a plurality of count values according to the sensing signal through the counting units of the counting circuit, where the count values are histogram data corresponding to a distance sensing result.

Abstract: A control system for a solar tracker assembly installation including a plurality of solar tracker assemblies, each of the plurality of solar tracker assemblies including a table supporting photovoltaic modules and rotatable through an angle of inclination. The solar tracker control system includes: a plurality of solar tracker controllers periodically outputting table angle of inclination data and solar tracker assembly operating data for the associated solar tracker assembly; a plurality of weather sensors, each outputting weather condition data; and an array controller in direct, wireless communications with each solar tracker controller and each weather sensor.

Abstract: Display with high visibility without impairing rigidity of a housing is performed. A light curtain includes: a housing in which one element of a pair of elements disposed inside along a longitudinal direction in order to form the plurality of optical axes at intervals, the housing including a metal case and end members connected to both ends of the metal case; a cover that transmits light from a light projecting element, which is the one element, and is attached to the housing so as to cross the optical axe; an indicator lamp that is a light diffusing member disposed outside an outer surface of at least one of the cover and the housing along the longitudinal direction or formed in series with the cover; and an indicator lamp light source that is accommodated in the housing and supplies light for displaying toward the indicator lamp.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to accessing a quantum communication channel undetected and/or characterizing this communication channel based upon attempted access. An example method includes accessing a quantum communication channel transmitting one or more qubits. The method includes the introduction of a noise signal to the quantum communication channel and then applying in its absence one or more weak or variable-strength measurements to the quantum communication channel. A strength of at least one measurement of the one or more measurements is based at least in part upon the current noise signal. The method further includes obtaining information associated with the one or more qubits based on the one or more measurements.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided comprising an imaging probe and at least one delivery device. The imaging probe comprises an elongate shaft, a rotatable optical core and an optical assembly. The elongate shaft comprises a proximal end, a distal portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal portion. The rotatable optical core is positioned within the lumen of the elongate shaft and comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The rotatable optical core is configured to optically and mechanically connect with an interface unit. The optical assembly is positioned in the elongate shaft distal portion and proximate the rotatable optical core distal end. The optical assembly is configured to direct light to tissue and collect reflected light from the tissue. The imaging probe is constructed and arranged to collect image data from a patient site. The at least one delivery device is constructed and arranged to slidingly engage the imaging probe.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention in which a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a gate electrode of a transistor, and a second substrate including a peripheral circuit portion are placed upon each other. The first substrate does not include a high-melting-metal compound layer, and the second substrate includes a high-melting-metal compound layer.

Abstract: A method for operating at least one optoelectronic button or operating element arranged behind an optically transparent control panel of a field device of automation technology for detecting an actuation of the optoelectronic button or operating element by an operator of the field device includes detecting whether the field device of automation technology is located in an interior area or in an exterior area; defining an evaluation condition which is used to detect the actuation of the optical button or control element; and detecting or evaluating whether an actuation of the optoelectronic button or control element is present based on the defined evaluation condition.

Abstract: A larvae counter comprising a first container for receiving water, eggs of insects and/or larvae, a second container in fluid communication with the first container for receiving water and larvae from the first container, and a larvae counting module in fluid communication with the second container for receiving water and larvae from the second container and counting the larvae.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensing (FOS) system may include a Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analyzer (BOTDA) unit, a first fiber optical cable optically connected to the BOTDA interrogator unit at a first end, and an optical feedthrough system (OFS) optically connected the first fiber optical cable at a second end of the first fiber optical cable. The FOS system may further comprise a fiber optic cable forming a loop within a wellbore that is optically connected to the first fiber optical cable at the OFS and a second fiber optical cable optically connected to the loop at the OFS and wherein the second fiber optical cable is optically connected to the BOTDA interrogator unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pinhole camera, an electronic apparatus and a manufacturing method, an electronic apparatus and a manufacturing method by which further reduction in profile can be achieved. The pinhole camera includes a semiconductor substrate on which a pixel array unit on which a plurality of pixels are arranged in an array is formed, a protective substrate stacked on an on-chip lens arranged corresponding to a pixel array unit of the semiconductor substrate through a seal resin, and a light shielding film formed on the protective substrate and configured to block light to be irradiated upon the semiconductor substrate. A pinhole is formed in the light shielding film. The present technology can be applied, for example, to a CMOS image sensor of the stacked type.

Abstract: A slight movement of the ground is detected. A cable, which includes an optical fiber, is provided to have friction with the ground in such a way that the optical fiber is expanded and contracted in accordance with the movement of the ground. An optical output unit outputs a monitoring light to the optical fiber. A partial reflection unit is provided on a path of the optical fiber in the cable and partially reflects the monitoring light. An optical reception unit receives a reflection light reflected by the partial reflection unit. A calculation unit measures the length of the optical fiber to the partial reflection unit based on a round-trip propagation time of the reflection light that has been received and monitors its changes over time.

Abstract: A light source device includes a plurality of light emitters, an optical system configured to combine light from the light emitters, a wavelength selective filter located on an optical path of the optical system, and an optical sensor configured to receive light from one light emitter among the light emitters through an optical filter. The optical filter has a wavelength selection characteristic corresponding to a wavelength selection characteristic of the wavelength selective filter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of recovering performance of a radiation detector, the radiation detector comprising: a radiation absorption layer configured to absorb radiation particles incident thereon and generate an electrical signal based on the radiation particles; an electronic system configured to process the electrical signal, the electronic system comprising a transistor, the transistor comprising a gate insulator with positive charge carriers accumulated therein due to exposure of the gate insulator to radiation; the method comprising: removing the positive charge carriers from the gate insulator by establishing an electric field across the gate insulator.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface; a photonic transmitter supported by the first surface of the substrate; a photonic receiver supported by the first surface of the substrate; a microfluidic volume positioned in the second surface of the substrate; a waveguide positioned to direct photonic signal from the photonic transmitter to the photonic receiver, wherein at least a portion of the waveguide is positioned between the first surface of the substrate and at least a portion of the microfluidic volume; and a working fluid in the microfluidic volume to receive heat from the waveguide.

Abstract: A night vision system along with an image intensifier tube having a microchannel plate and method of forming the microchannel plate are provided. The microchannel plate comprises a plurality of spaced channels extending through the microchannel plate, wherein each channel sidewall surface near the input face of the microchannel plate comprises a series of layers formed thereon. The input face of the microchannel plate, as well as the sidewall surfaces of each channel near the input surfaces, are configured with an electron backscatter layer arranged between a contact metal layer and a secondary electron booster layer. When formed partially into the channel openings near the input face, the electron backscatter layer and overlying secondary electron booster layer are configured circumferentially around the sidewall surfaces and extend radially inward toward a central axis of each channel.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments relate to a plasmonic metamaterial structure, applications and devices including that plasmonic metamaterial structure, and a method of forming that plasmonic metamaterial structure. Aspects and embodiments provide a plasmonic metamaterial structure which comprises: a plurality of optical antenna elements. The plurality of optical antenna elements comprise: a first electrode, a second electrode and a plasmonic nanostructure element located between the first and second electrode to form an electron tunnelling junction between the first and second electrodes. The plurality of optical antenna elements are configured such that the electromagnetic field of one optical antenna element spatially overlaps that of adjacent optical antenna elements and adjacent optical antenna elements are electromagnetically coupled to allow the plurality of optical antenna elements to act as a plasmonic metamaterial.

Abstract: A secondary electron emissive layer resistant to infiltration and fouling. A barrier layer is formed by atomic layer deposition. The barrier layer may be an emissive layer and/or an interlayer. The barrier layer may form an interlayer that is a part of an electron amplifier positioned between an emissive layer and a resistive layer. The barrier layer is resistive to fluorine migration from either the emissive layer or the resistive layer.