Abstract: A superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) device includes a substrate, a distributed Bragg reflector on the substrate, a seed layer of a metal nitride on the distributed Bragg reflector, and a superconductive wire on the seed layer. The distributed Bragg reflector includes a plurality of bi-layers, each bi-layer including lower layer of a first material and an upper layer of a second material having a higher index of refraction than the first material. The wire is a metal nitride different from the metal nitride of the seed material.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for detecting time-resolved optical data, the device comprising a sensor comprising a number of detection elements configured to detect a light signal in a single photon regime, a timing circuit connected to said number of detection elements though a common line, and a control module connected to the sensor, the control module being configured to selectively enable the detection elements of the sensor according to a set of enabling patterns. The timing circuit is configured to measure a time of arrival of an output signal from the detection elements on the common line, the output signal being indicative of the detection of a photon of the light signal by any of the enabled detection elements.

Abstract: An image sensor includes organic photodetectors and an angular filter less than 20 ?m away from the photodetectors. Further, a method of manufacturing an image sensor includes the forming of organic photodetectors and of an angular filter less than 20 ?m away from the photodetectors.

Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: a) observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; c) matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; d) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c). The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: a photoelectric conversion film that performs photoelectric conversion on light having entered therein; at least two electrodes, including a first electrode and a second electrode, disposed at a surface of the photoelectric conversion film; and at least two electrodes, including a third electrode and a fourth electrode, disposed at another surface of the photoelectric conversion film.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an electronic device and a method, the device comprising: a capacitive sensor, a heart rate sensor including at least one light-emitting unit, a first light receiving unit, and a second light receiving unit; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: measure capacitance for a user wearing the electronic device by using the capacitive sensor; emit light by using the light-emitting unit according to the capacitance; measure a first amount of light which is said light reflected by the user's body tissue through the first light receiving unit, and a second amount of light which is said light reflected by the body tissue through the second light receiving unit; determine that the electronic device is worn by the user when at least one amount of light of the first amount of light and the second amount of light satisfies an amount of light in a specified range; and determine that the electronic device is detached from the user when the first amount of light and the second am

Abstract: One embodiment provides a pyranometer, including: a dome enclosing a cavity; at least one light emitting source arranged such that light exterior to the dome does not directly impinge on the at least one light emitting source; a diffusor; wherein the at least one light emitting source is configured to emit light substantially directed to a portion of the diffusor, and wherein the diffusor is configured to diffuse the light emitted from the at least one light emitting source on an inner surface of the dome; and one or more first light detecting sensors arranged in the cavity and configured to measure an intensity of the light reflected from the dome and impinging on the one or more first light detecting sensors. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: There are provided a circuit and a method for regulating a gate voltage, and a sensor applying the circuit. In the circuit, an input end of the storage module is connected to a first end of a signal storage unit, an output end thereof is connected to an input end of the comparison module, an output end of the comparison module is connected to an input end of the voltage regulation module, and an output end of the voltage regulation module is connected to a transmission gate. The storage module stores electrical signals outputted by the signal storage unit. The comparison module compares at least two of the electrical signals correspond to different gate voltages to obtain a comparison result. The voltage regulation module regulates, based on the comparison result, an output voltage according to a predetermined rule to change the gate voltage.

Abstract: A combining network for an array of SPAD devices includes: synchronous sampling circuits, wherein each synchronous sampling circuit is coupled to an output of a corresponding SPAD device and is configured to generate a pulse or an edge each time an event is detected; and a summation circuit coupled to an output of each of the synchronous sampling circuits and configured to count a number of pulses or edges to generate a binary output value.