Abstract: A charge-coupled imaging device (FIG. 3) is thinned to allow for backside illumination. The device is further enhanced using ion implantation techniques to establish an electrical field (44) at the back surface, which functions to drive free electrons to potential wells generated beneath a gate structure (40) on the front surface. The device structure allows for both front side and backside illumination and is useful as an imaging device in applications where it is necessary to combine images from two different optical sources. The imaging device is particularly useful in terrestrial guidance systems (FIG. 5) where the imaging device is used to detect guide stars from a large guide star field. In such systems, the imaging device must be translated within an X-Y plane in order to cover the entire guide star field. In order to accurately know the position of the imaging device, optical fiducial marks are imaged onto a side of the imaging device opposite the side receiving the guide star photons.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip having bond pads formed on a peripheral ledge recessed below the active chip surface. Ultrasonic wire bonds are made with the pads to lie below the active chip surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new and improved combination operative with an image acquisition system wherein a field-of-view is panned over a fixed image format; said combination comprising a sensor, an optical system for imaging the field-of-view at the sensor, said sensor including four linear arrays disposed in quadrilateral configuration, two of said arrays being applied to each half of a beam splitter cube; row and column buffers which are continuously updated every integration period, and a controller which strobes the buffers into a frame store memory after one resolution element width or pixel has been traversed.

Abstract: An assembly for shielding a concrete structure from solar radiation comprising a plurality of heat-reflective, heat-insulative panels suspended above the surface of the concrete. The surface of the panels proximal to the concrete surface is non-planar.

Abstract: Pattern noise in the output signal produced by an array of solid state light responsive elements is reduced by adjusting the responses of a subset of elements towards an average element response, thereby reducing the standard deviation of the element response distribution. The elements receiving response adjustments have responses in the upper and lower extremes of the element response distribution as determined by measuring the output of the sensor under controlled illumination conditions.

Abstract: A solid state image sensing array has a plurality of imaging sensing elements comprising first and second charge coupled MOS capacitors and a floating gate FET. The floating gate of the FET is disposed beneath the electrode of the second capacitor. In operation, a potential well is formed under the first capacitor. When the element is exposed to radiation, photochargers are accumulated in the potential well. To readout the photocharge, the charge is shifted under the second capacitor, thereby modulating the conductivity of the floating gate FET to provide signal sensing and amplification at the image sensing element. After readout, the photocharge can be purged from the sensing element by removing the potential from both capacitors, or if nondestructive readout is desired, the photocharge can be shifted back under the first capacitor.