Abstract: A method and a circuit arrangement are disclosed for determining radiation intensity using counting detectors or detector elements, in which x-ray radiation photons, which are either absorbed or absorbed in part, generate electrical signals, the pulse number and pulse height of which is correlated to an incident radiation intensity, and the radiation intensity is at least determined by counting the pulses. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the signal pulses incident on at least one detector or detector element are detected simultaneously by at least one continuously operating pulse height discriminator and by at least one pulse height discriminator operating in a clocked fashion, with the number of incident signal pulses being determined with the aid of these two items of detection information.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining individual quantum absorption events in a radiation converter which counts quanta. In at least one embodiment of the method, temporally continuous analog-to-digital conversion of electrical signals generated by a quantum absorption event to a digital signal is carried out first of all by the radiation converter. The digital signal is then processed to determine the number of quanta of the underlying quantum absorption event absorbed in the radiation converter.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring neural network activity with a textured semiconductor substrate. Sensor elements have a respective detection electrode on the substrate surface for detecting neural network signals, and the detected neural signals are a basis for outputting electrical sensor output signals via respective sensor element outputs. Each amplifier element has an input and an output. Each of the sensor elements has associated therewith one of the amplifier elements whose input is connected to the sensor output of the respective sensor element. The amplified sensor output signal is output the amplifier output as an amplifier output signal. An activity evaluator has an input, which is connected to at least one of the amplifier outputs, and an output. The activity evaluation device produces an activity signal, which is a measure of activity of the neural network, based on the amplifier output signal, and outputs the amplifier output signal via the evaluation output.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement and method of operating the sensor arrangement are described. The sensor arrangement has sensor devices formed on or in a substrate and a calibration device for calibrating a respective sensor device. Each sensor device has an electrical signal converter which is a field-effect transistor (FET) having a gate terminal coupled to a sensor element that is coupled to the signal converter, a device that keeps constant the electrical voltage between source and drain terminals of the FET, and a device for detecting the value of the electric current flowing through the signal converter. The sensor element characteristically influences the electrical conductivity of the signal converter on account of a sensor event on the sensor element. The calibration device brings the gate region of the FET to an electrical calibration potential such that the electric current is independent of parameter fluctuations of the FET.

Abstract: A method and a circuit arrangement are disclosed for determining radiation intensity using counting detectors or detector elements, in which x-ray radiation photons, which are either absorbed or absorbed in part, generate electrical signals, the pulse number and pulse height of which is correlated to an incident radiation intensity, and the radiation intensity is at least determined by counting the pulses. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the signal pulses incident on at least one detector or detector element are detected simultaneously by at least one continuously operating pulse height discriminator and by at least one pulse height discriminator operating in a clocked fashion, with the number of incident signal pulses being determined with the aid of these two items of detection information.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining individual quantum absorption events in a radiation converter which counts quanta. In at least one embodiment of the method, temporally continuous analog-to-digital conversion of electrical signals generated by a quantum absorption event to a digital signal is carried out first of all by the radiation converter. The digital signal is then processed to determine the number of quanta of the underlying quantum absorption event absorbed in the radiation converter.

Abstract: A radiation converter is disclosed. In order to improve the detection of x-ray radiation or gamma radiation, at least one embodiment of the invention provides that, in the case of the radiation converter with a plurality of converter elements for converting x-ray radiation or gamma radiation to light, in each case one light outlet window is formed on a light outlet side of the converter elements such that, on the light outlet side, the converter elements are covered in part by reflector material in a layered fashion.

Abstract: Sensor arrangement having row and column lines arranged in first and second directions, respectively, sensor arrays arranged in crossover regions of the row and column lines, a detector, and a decoding device. The sensor arrays have a coupling device for electrically coupling respective row and column lines, and a sensor element to influence electric current flow through the coupling device. The detector is electrically coupled to a respective end section of at least a portion of the row and column lines, and detects a respective accumulative current flow from the individual electrical current flows provided by the sensor arrays of the respective lines. The decoding device is coupled to the row and column lines, and evaluates at least a portion of the accumulative electric current flows fed to the decoding device via the row and column lines to determine at which of the sensor elements a sensor signal is present.

Abstract: Biochip for capacitive stimulation and/or detection of biological tissues. The biochip has a carrier structure, at least one stimulation and/or sensor device, which is arranged in or at the carrier structure, and at least one dielectric layer, one layer area of which is arranged at the stimulation and/or sensor device and the opposite layer area of which forms a stimulation and/or sensor area for capacitive simulation and/or detection of biological tissues, wherein the dielectric layer comprises TiO2.

Abstract: A measuring cell for recording an electrical potential of an analyte situated on the measuring cell. The measuring cell has a sensor, a layer arranged above the sensor and electrically insulating the analyte from the sensor, and an amplifier circuit connected to the sensor on a substrate and having an input stage containing a field-effect transistor or a bipolar transistor, the sensor being at least indirectly connected to a control terminal of the field-effect transistor or of the bipolar transistor. An operating point of the amplifier circuit is set by means of a voltage or a current applied at the control terminal of the field-effect transistor or of the bipolar transistor of the input stage of the amplifier circuit.

Abstract: Biosensor circuit arrangement including a substrate, a sensor element formed in or on a surface region of the substrate with a physical parameter, which is coupled to a substance to be examined, the type of coupling having a resistive component, the sensor element having an electrically conductive sensor electrode that is coupled to the substance to be examined, the sensor element having a measuring transistor the gate terminal of which is coupled to the electrically conductive sensor electrode, and the physical parameter being the threshold voltage of the measuring transistor, and a calibration device formed in or on the substrate, the calibration device being set up such that it is used to at least partly compensate for an alteration of the value of the physical parameter of the sensor element.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement and method of operating the sensor arrangement are described. The sensor arrangement has sensor devices formed on or in a substrate and a calibration device for calibrating a respective sensor device. Each sensor device has an electrical signal converter which is a field-effect transistor (FET) having a gate terminal coupled to a sensor element that is coupled to the signal converter, a device that keeps constant the electrical voltage between source and drain terminals of the FET, and a device for detecting the value of the electric current flowing through the signal converter. The sensor element characteristically influences the electrical conductivity of the signal converter on account of a sensor event on the sensor element. The calibration device brings the gate region of the FET to an electrical calibration potential such that the electric current is independent of parameter fluctuations of the FET.

Abstract: Sensor arrangement having sensor arrays arranged in crossover regions of row and column lines, each of the sensor arrays having a coupler and a sensor element, which influences current flow between a row and column line through the coupler, an accumulative current flow detector that detects accumulative current flow from individual electric current flows provided by the sensor arrays, and a decoder that determines a sensor element at which a sensor signal is present from the accumulative electric current flows. Accumulative current flows which satisfy a predetermined first criterion can be determined from the detected accumulative current flows, and from the accumulative current flows determined an accumulative current flow can be selected as an accumulative current flow which represents a sensor signal and which satisfies a predetermined second criterion, and the sensor element at which a sensor signal is present can be determined from the selected accumulative current flow.

Abstract: Biochip for capacitive stimulation and/or detection of biological tissues. The biochip has a carrier structure, at least one stimulation and/or sensor device, which is arranged in or at the carrier structure, and at least one dielectric layer, one layer area of which is arranged at the stimulation and/or sensor device and the opposite layer area of which forms a stimulation and/or sensor area for capacitive simulation and/or detection of biological tissues, wherein the dielectric layer comprises TiO2.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring neural network activity with a textured semiconductor substrate. Sensor elements have a respective detection electrode on the substrate surface for detecting neural network signals, and the detected neural signals are a basis for outputting electrical sensor output signals via respective sensor element outputs. Each amplifier element has an input and an output. Each of the sensor elements has associated therewith one of the amplifier elements whose input is connected to the sensor output of the respective sensor element. The amplified sensor output signal is output the amplifier output as an amplifier output signal. An activity evaluator has an input, which is connected to at least one of the amplifier outputs, and an output. The activity evaluation device produces an activity signal, which is a measure of activity of the neural network, based on the amplifier output signal, and outputs the amplifier output signal via the evaluation output.

Abstract: Semiconductor device having a substrate, at least one adhesion promoter core, which is deposited on a part of the substrate, and a deposit, which completely surrounds the adhesion promoter core, of a material of poor adhesion which is different than the adhesion promoter material and is in direct contact with the substrate, as well as methods-for the production thereof.

Abstract: Sensor arrangement having row and column lines arranged in first and second directions, respectively, sensor arrays arranged in crossover regions of the row and column lines, a detector, and a decoding device. The sensor arrays have a coupling device for electrically coupling respective row and column lines, and a sensor element to influence electric current flow through the coupling device. The detector is electrically coupled to a respective end section of at least a portion of the row and column lines, and detects a respective accumulative current flow from the individual electrical current flows provided by the sensor arrays of the respective lines. The decoding device is coupled to the row and column lines, and evaluates at least a portion of the accumulative electric current flows fed to the decoding device via the row and column lines to determine at which of the sensor elements a sensor signal is present.

Abstract: Biosensor circuit arrangement including a substrate, a sensor element formed in or on a surface region of the substrate with a physical parameter, which is coupled to a substance to be examined, the type of coupling having a resistive component, the sensor element having an electrically conductive sensor electrode that is coupled to the substance to be examined, the sensor element having a measuring transistor the gate terminal of which is coupled to the electrically conductive sensor electrode, and the physical parameter being the threshold voltage of the measuring transistor, and a calibration device formed in or on the substrate, the calibration device being set up such that it is used to at least partly compensate for an alteration of the value of the physical parameter of the sensor element.

Abstract: A measuring cell for recording an electrical potential of an analyte situated on the measuring cell. The measuring cell has a sensor, a layer arranged above the sensor and electrically insulating the analyte from the sensor, and an amplifier circuit connected to the sensor on a substrate and having an input stage containing a field-effect transistor or a bipolar transistor, the sensor being at least indirectly connected to a control terminal of the field-effect transistor or of the bipolar transistor. An operating point of the amplifier circuit is set by means of a voltage or a current applied at the control terminal of the field-effect transistor or of the bipolar transistor of the input stage of the amplifier circuit.