Abstract: Depth sensors comprising a focal plane array with photosites (PSs) directed in different directions, each PS operable to detect light arriving from an instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of the PS, a readout-set of readout circuitries (ROCs), each ROC coupled to readout-group PSs by multiple switches and operable to output an electric signal indicative of an amount of light impinging on the readout-group PSs when the read-out group is connected to the respective ROC via at least one of the switches, a controller operable to change switching states of the switches, such that at different times different ROCs of the readout-set are coupled to the readout-group and are exposed to reflections from different distances, and a processor operable to obtain the electric signals from the readout-set indicative of detected levels of reflected light collected from the IFOVs of the readout-group and to determine depth information for an object.

Abstract: A system for the automatic grading of a cut/polished gemstone (SUT) includes an enclosure with a stage for mounting the cut/polished SUT. The enclosure further includes one or more sources of broadband visible (BBV) light, the sources of BBV light being controllable by a programmable controller; an image sensor for capturing a plurality of images of a mounted SUT, and one or more sources of UV light mounted within the enclosure. The controller captures images of the mounted SUT from one or more selected angles relative to the sensor elevation axis and relative to the position of the SUT on the stage rotation axis; an image capturing module is configured for processing the one or more images; and, a light grade calculation module is configured for grading the cut/polished SUT using light indicative parameters from at least a part of the one or more images captured.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the level of a compound in tissue, the device including: an illumination source operable to emit light from an optical opening into the tissue; a detector array having a plurality of photosites, each operable to detect light of the illumination source travelling through the tissue; wherein different photosites of the detector array are located at different distances from the optical opening; and a processor adapted for determining compound levels in the tissue based on differences in detected illumination levels at distinct wavelengths at different distances from the optical opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging in the short wave infrared (SWIR), photodetectors with low dark current and associated circuits for reducing dark currents and methods for generating image information based on data of a photodetector array. A SWIR imaging system may include a pulsed illumination source operative to emit radiation pulses in the SWIR band towards a target resulting in reflected radiation from the target; (b) an imaging receiver including a plurality of Ge PDs operative to detect the reflected SWIR radiation and a controller, operative to control activation of the receiver for an integration time during which the accumulated dark current noise does not exceed the time independent readout noise.

Abstract: Electro-optical (EO) systems comprising a photodetector array (PDA) comprising a plurality of photosites (PSs), each PS operative to output detection signals for different frames, the detection signal output for a frame by the respective PS being indicative of an amount of light impinging on the respective PS during a respective frame exposure time (FET); a usability filtering module operative to first determine for each PS that the PS is unusable based on a first FET, and to later determine that the PS is usable based on a second FET that is shorter than the first FET; and a processor operative to generate images based on frame detection levels of the plurality of PSs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging in the short wave infrared (SWIR), photodetectors with low dark current and associated circuits for reducing dark currents and methods for generating image information based on data of a photodetector array. A SWIR imaging system may include a pulsed illumination source operative to emit radiation pulses in the SWIR band towards a target resulting in reflected radiation from the target; (b) an imaging receiver including a plurality of Ge PDs operative to detect the reflected SWIR radiation and a controller, operative to control activation of the receiver for an integration time during which the accumulated dark current noise does not exceed the time independent readout noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detection of hazardous media on roads. A system may comprise a imaging receiver operating in the short wave infrared range (SWIR) and including a focal plane array (FPA) and a polarization filter array (PFA) comprising micro-polarizers, and an analysis module for analyzing SWIR image data obtained under passive or active illuminations conditions for detection of hazardous media on a road, wherein the hazardous media includes ice. In some embodiments, the FPA comprises germanium-on-silicon photodetectors (PDs). In some embodiments, the micro-polarizers are integrated with the PDs.

Abstract: Passively Q-switched lasers and short wave infrared (SWIR) electro-optical systems including such lasers. A passively Q-switched laser may include a gain medium (GM) having a stimulated emission cross section ?SE, a saturable absorber (SA) having an absorption cross section (?a) which is less than three times the ?SE of the GM, and an optical resonator within which the GM and the SA are positioned, the optical resonator comprising a high reflectivity mirror and an output coupler, wherein at least one of the high reflectivity mirror and the output coupler comprises a curved mirror, directing light within the optical resonator such that an effective cross-section of a laser mode within the SA (ASA) is smaller than a cross-section of a laser mode within a Rayleigh length of the pump (AGM).

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging in the short wave infrared (SWIR), photodetectors with low dark current and associated circuits for reducing dark currents and methods for generating image information based on data of a photodetector array. A SWIR imaging system may include a pulsed illumination source operative to emit radiation pulses in the SWIR band towards a target resulting in reflected radiation from the target; (b) an imaging receiver including a plurality of Ge PDs operative to detect the reflected SWIR radiation and a controller, operative to control activation of the receiver for an integration time during which the accumulated dark current noise does not exceed the time independent readout noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging in the short wave infrared (SWIR), photodetectors with low dark current and associated circuits for reducing dark currents and methods for generating image information based on data of a photodetector array. A SWIR imaging system may include a pulsed illumination source operative to emit radiation pulses in the SWIR band towards a target resulting in reflected radiation from the target; (b) an imaging receiver including a plurality of Ge PDs operative to detect the reflected SWIR radiation and a controller, operative to control activation of the receiver for an integration time during which the accumulated dark current noise does not exceed the time independent readout noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging in the short wave infrared (SWIR), photodetectors with low dark current and associated circuits for reducing dark currents and methods for generating image information based on data of a photodetector array. A SWIR imaging system may include a pulsed illumination source operative to emit radiation pulses in the SWIR band towards a target resulting in reflected radiation from the target; (b) an imaging receiver including a plurality of Ge PDs operative to detect the reflected SWIR radiation and a controller, operative to control activation of the receiver for an integration time during which the accumulated dark current noise does not exceed the time independent readout noise.

Abstract: A system for the automatic grading of a cut/polished gemstone (SUT) includes an enclosure with a stage for mounting the cut/polished SUT. The enclosure further includes one or more sources of broadband visible (BBV) light, the sources of BBV light being controllable by a programmable controller; an image sensor for capturing a plurality of images of a mounted SUT, and one or more sources of UV light mounted within the enclosure. The controller captures images of the mounted SUT from one or more selected angles relative to the sensor elevation axis and relative to the position of the SUT on the stage rotation axis; an image capturing module is configured for processing the one or more images; and, a light grade calculation module is configured for grading the cut/polished SUT using light indicative parameters from at least a part of the one or more images captured.

Abstract: A system for the automatic grading of a cut/polished gemstone (SUT) includes an enclosure with a stage for mounting the cut/polished SUT. The enclosure further includes one or more sources of broadband visible (BBV) light, the sources of BBV light being controllable by a programmable controller; an image sensor for capturing a plurality of images of a mounted SUT, and one or more sources of UV light mounted within the enclosure. The controller captures images of the mounted SUT from one or more selected angles relative to the sensor elevation axis and relative to the position of the SUT on the stage rotation axis; an image capturing module is configured for processing the one or more images; and, a light grade calculation module is configured for grading the cut/polished SUT using light indicative parameters from at least a part of the one or more images captured.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging in the short wave infrared (SWIR), photodetectors with low dark current and associated circuits for reducing dark currents and methods for generating image information based on data of a photodetector array. A SWIR imaging system may include a pulsed illumination source operative to emit radiation pulses in the SWIR band towards a target resulting in reflected radiation from the target; (b) an imaging receiver including a plurality of Ge PDs operative to detect the reflected SWIR radiation and a controller, operative to control activation of the receiver for an integration time during which the accumulated dark current noise does not exceed the time independent readout noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging in the short wave infrared (SWIR), photodetectors with low dark current and associated circuits for reducing dark currents and methods for generating image information based on data of a photodetector array. A SWIR imaging system may include a pulsed illumination source operative to emit radiation pulses in the SWIR band towards a target resulting in reflected radiation from the target; (b) an imaging receiver including a plurality of Ge PDs operative to detect the reflected SWIR radiation and a controller, operative to control activation of the receiver for an integration time during which the accumulated dark current noise does not exceed the time independent readout noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging in the short wave infrared (SWIR), photodetectors with low dark current and associated circuits for reducing dark currents and methods for generating image information based on data of a photodetector array. A SWIR imaging system may include a pulsed illumination source operative to emit radiation pulses in the SWIR band towards a target resulting in reflected radiation from the target; (b) an imaging receiver including a plurality of Ge PDs operative to detect the reflected SWIR radiation and a controller, operative to control activation of the receiver for an integration time during which the accumulated dark current noise does not exceed the time independent readout noise.

Abstract: A system for the automatic grading of a cut/polished gemstone (SUT) includes an enclosure with a stage for mounting the cut/polished SUT. The enclosure further includes one or more sources of broadband visible (BBV) light, the sources of BBV light being controllable by a programmable controller; an image sensor for capturing a plurality of images of a mounted SUT, and one or more sources of UV light mounted within the enclosure. The controller captures images of the mounted SUT from one or more selected angles relative to the sensor elevation axis and relative to the position of the SUT on the stage rotation axis; an image capturing module is configured for processing the one or more images; and, a light grade calculation module is configured for grading the cut/polished SUT using light indicative parameters from at least a part of the one or more images captured.

Abstract: An active imaging system comprising an illumination source for emitting a radiation pulse towards a target resulting in radiation reflected from the target, a receiver comprising one or more germanium photodiodes for receiving the reflected radiation, and a method for using same.

Abstract: An active imaging system comprising an illumination source for emitting a radiation pulse towards a target resulting in radiation reflected from the target, a receiver comprising one or more germanium photodiodes for receiving the reflected radiation, and a method for using same.

Abstract: An optical inspection system including a first multiplicity of cameras operative to image a second multiplicity of regions on an object, a third multiplicity of illumination sources and at least one illumination manager operative to combine illumination from the third multiplicity of illumination sources and thereafter to direct illumination therefrom to the second multiplicity of regions, the at least one illumination manager including a beam distributor receiving a composite input beam of a multiplicity of non-mutually coherent, spatially concentrated laser pulses and directing a multiplicity of composite output beams of a plurality of the non-mutually coherent, spatially concentrated laser pulses to a corresponding plurality of spatially distinct locations corresponding to the second multiplicity of regions.