Abstract: A high charge capacity readout cell in a hybrid focal plane detector array on a complementary metal oxide semiconductor integrated circuit chip. An input transistor that provides a buffer for the detectors of the array, couples to a source of bias voltage, which controls the operation of the transistor. An integrating capacitor uses a variable source of terminating voltage to increase the amount of charge it integrates. A read signal causes an output transistor to read the charge from the capacitor to a readout line and to initialize the capacitor. The termination voltage of the integrating capacitor is changed during the time that the detector current is integrated, thus increasing the change in total voltage across the capacitor. This allows a greater amount of charge to be integrated with the capacitor which improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the focal plane array.

Abstract: An automatic focusing telescope capable of automatic focusing.

Abstract: A dynamic random access memory cell with a stacked capacitor comprises a switching transistor shifted between on and off states, an inter-level insulating film covering the switching transistor and having a contact window and a storage capacitor provided on the inter-level insulating film and coupled to the switching transistor through the contact window, and the storage capacitor includes a lower electrode having a generally convex top surface and a pug portion penetrating through the contact window so as to electrically connect with the switching transistor, a thin dielectric film covering the generally convex top surface of the lower electrode and an upper electrode formed on the thin dielectric film, since the thin dielectric film extends along the generally convex top surface, a conformal coverage takes place for producing uniform electric field across the thin dielectric film, thereby decreasing undesirable leakage current flowing between the lower and upper electrodes.

Abstract: An optical device includes a substrate, an optical waveguide provided on a surface of the substrate, and an electroluminescence element including a first electrode layer, a first insulator layer, a light emitting layer for emitting light, a second insulator layer and a second electrode layer which are successively stacked. The light emitted from the light emitting layer is emitted from an end surface of the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide has a refractive index which increases from an outer periphery to a center portion of a cross section which is approximately parallel to the end surface, and the electroluminescence element is provided within the optical waveguide.

Abstract: An encoder is provided with a light emitting device for emitting irradiating light, a first scale on which a substantially light transmitting portion and light shielding portion are periodically provided, a second scale which is adapted to be displaced relatively to the first scale and on which V-shape groove and light transmission plane portions are periodically provided at a first surface facing the first scale, a light receiving device, arranged to face a second surface of the second scale, for receiving light having passed through the first and second scales and a detecting device for detecting the relative displacement of the two scales based on the output signals from the light receiving device.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed trackball cursor pointing device in which the cursor movement ball and function switches or buttons are respectively positioned to allow movement of the ball by the thumb while simultaneously operating the switches. More particularly, the switches are placed at the top of the trackball and the ball is placed at the side, to complement the natural placement of the thumb and fingers of the operator thereover.

Abstract: Automatic focusing of an interference microscope is accomplished by directly sensing an interference pattern produced by a white light source with an auxiliary point detector. A beamsplitter intercepts part of the interference beam and directs it to the point detector. A narrow band filter filters light passing through the beam splitter on its way to a main detector array. An objective of the interference microscope is rapidly moved to an initial position between a sample surface and a fringe window by operating a position sensor to sense when the objective is a predetermined safe distance from the sample surface and turning off a motor moving the objective. The objective then moves rapidly from the initial position until the presence of fringes is detected by the point detector. Momentum of the microscope causes the objective to overshoot beyond a fringe window.

Abstract: The transmission line is coupled to a charging circuit and to a series circuit including a terminating resistor, the source and drain electrodes of a MOSFET and laser diode. Trigger signals are applied to the gate electrode of the MOSFET to rapidly discharge the transmisson line to provide currents of about 10 amps through the laser diode to provide pulses of light having durations of about 3 nanoseconds.

Abstract: A photomultiplier tube in which the a semiconductor photodiode serves as the anode and receives the electrons from the photocathode. The particular geometry for the focusing electrodes in the tube involves a two part structure with one part, the anode focus electrode, in close proximity to the semiconductor photodiode. The second part of the focus structure is a grid focus electrode with two different diameters, located approximately midway between the photodiode and the photocathode and operating on a low voltage. Together the electrodes create a focusing electric field so that the electrons from the large area photocathode are efficiently delivered to the small area of the semiconductor photodiode. The mounting of the photodiode is also designed to act as a termination to furnish superior timing characteristics.

Abstract: A sequence of random numbers of a desired length is produced using an algorithm for shifting a binary code M bits and adding 0 or 1 so that all produced codes are different from each other. An absolute encoder of a desired resolution is provided using such a sequence of random numbers. Where a slit pattern of M-series random number codes is employed, a circuit for generating a pattern comprising a combination of the M-series random number codes and 0s is employed to provide an absolute encoder having a resolution of 2.sup.k.

Abstract: Optoelectronic positioning tap circuit arrangements of the type in which a beam from a light source irradiates two adjacently arranged diodes connected at their cathode ends and further including an element that is perpendicularly movable with respect to the beam path to partially shade the beam and supply a signal proportional to the difference between the diode currents, such signal characterizing the position of the shading element in the light beam. Sensitivity is increased by utilizing both diode currents to achieve a deflection-proportional output signal by short-circuit current meansurement. Existing current sum points are decoupled as each of the (three) terminals of the series diode circuit is connected to a single current/voltage converter stage. The current sum is directly detected at the input of the voltage converter stage that is connected to the (coupled) cathodes to control the operating point of the light source.

Abstract: An angular displacement detecting device is provided with a tubular casing having a chamber in which a liquid is sealed, a floating body disposed in the liquid sealed in the chamber and supported for rotation about a predetermined rotational axis, and a detector for detecting the relative angular displacement between the floating body and the tubular casing about the rotational axis. This device employs a fluoroliquid as the aforesaid liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting register marks includes one or more linear arrays of sensors (19, 20) arranged transverse to the direction of relative movement of a web (3) and the apparatus. Where there is more than one linear array (19, 20), they are arranged so that they are substantially non-parallel to allow both longitudinal and transverse monitoring of register marks on the web (3). A signal is generated on detection of a mark and processing means determine the sensor (19) or group of sensors which detected a mark and whether the marks are in register with those of other webs (3).

Abstract: A resonant beam sensor is excited into resonance by directing onto it a drive signal comprising light which has been amplitude modulated at the resonant frequency. A portion of the drive signal reflected by the sensor is demodulated by a photodetector to provide a measurement signal.

Abstract: A web of photographic film or the like having an optical property to be inspected and measured (such as exposure density or reflectance) is transported through a flasher chamber at a predetermined nominal speed and is exposed to radiation in the flasher to produce a series of longitudinally spaced, transversely oriented exposure bands separated by unexposed bands on the web. The transport speed of the web through the exposure chamber is selected for a given exposure period for each band such that the web moves only a minor fraction of the longitudinal width of each band during exposure of the band. Subsequent inspection of the web, for example, in a densitometer, produces a pulsed output signal waveform in which the peak amplitudes of the pulses are proportional to the optical property being measured independent of any perturbations in transport speed of the web through the exposure chamber.

Abstract: A radiation detector, including, a photodiode, has improved uniformity of sensitivity over the field of view because the receiving surface is provided by an optical diffusing layer, and the field of view is defined by a baffle arrangement, each internal surface of whichy is reflective. The baffle arrangement also defines a volume and the diffusing layer conforms to a part of the volume adjacent to the apex thereof. The diffusing layer may be provided by material, initially in liquid form, solidified in situ within the baffle arrangement. The receiving surface may be provided within a receiving head of the detector, spaced from the photodiode. Radiation may be transmitted from the receiving surface, whether part of a separate receiving head or not, to the photodiode by an optical fibre. An assembly of four consituent detectors, each having three orthogonally arranged mirrors, may together define a hemispherically shaped volume.

Abstract: In an integrated optical arrangement, such as a photoelectric position measuring arrangement, a diffraction grid is scanned by light beam diffraction by a scanning unit having a laser. A light beam bundle emanating from the laser is split by the diffraction grid into two diffraction beam bundles, which are inserted into the top input waveguides of a waveguide coupler by two coupling elements. The two diffraction beam bundles interfere in the waveguide coupler and impinge on three detectors located at three output waveguides of the waveguide coupler for obtaining measured values. For readjustment of the optimal emission wavelength of the laser, an additional diffraction beam bundle emanating from the diffraction grid is entered into said integrated optical sensor arrangement by an additional coupling element. The additional beam bundle triggers a detector for generating a control signal to control the optimal emission wavelength of the laser.

Abstract: A rotary stand (11) having a half-mirror (8) and a photodetector (10) mounted thereon, is continuously rotated around a first rotary shaft (A) passing through a sample (S), and set to a predetermined scattering angle. Simultaneously, a rotary reflecting mirror (7) is rotated at a predetermined angle to direct a reference li8ght (LR) to the half-mirror (8) at all times. The half-mirror (8) is also rotated at its own axis at a predetermined angle so that the direction of a scattering light (LS) at the light emitting side of the half-mirror (8) is identical with the direction of the reference lilght (LR). Accordingly, the reference light may be composed with the scattered light at an arbitrary scattering angle, enabling observation of the Doppler shift in the scattered light direction (FIG. 1).

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus utilizing a light emitting semiconductor device which has a pumped region and an unpumped absorber region and in which an active layer has a quantum well structure.In this light emitting semiconductor device, driving current/light output characteristics have dependence on the pulse width of a driving current. A logic unit or a noise reducing apparatus is realized utilizing this property.Furthermore, in the above described light emitting semiconductor device, the central wavelength of emitted light has dependence on a driving current or dependence on driving time. A light beam scanner can be realized utilizing this property.

Abstract: A method for detection of the edge and/or shape of transparent films, wherein the incident rays from a light source enter a polarizer to yield the linearly polarized light for irradiation to a transparent film with a property of rotatory polarization, and the rotatorily polarized light therefrom is transmitted through an analyzer with a polarization axis orthogonal to that of the polarizer, allowing the transmitted light to indicate the edge position and/or shape of the transparent film. An apparatus for detection of the edge and/or shape of transparent films, which is furnished with a polarizer, analyzer and detector to utilize the property of rotatory polarization of a transparent film placed between the polarizer and the analyzer, wherein the polarizer linearly polarizes the incident rays from a light source, emitting the light to be fed to the analyzer, a polarization axis of which is orthogonal to that of the polarizer, and the detector recognizes the output of the analyzer.