Abstract: A method for determining the thermal donor concentration of a test sample made of a semiconductor material, includes providing a reference sample made of the same semiconductor material and having a known thermal donor concentration; measuring a photoluminescence signal of the reference sample for a photon energy comprised between 0.65 eV and 0.8 eV, the photoluminescence signal of the reference sample exhibiting an intensity peak in a photon energy range of 0.65 eV to 0.8 eV; determining, from the photoluminescence signal, an experimental relationship between the thermal donor concentration and a parameter representative of the intensity peak; measuring a photoluminescence signal of the test sample for at least one photon energy comprised between 0.65 eV and 0.8 eV; determining from the photoluminescence signal a specific value of the parameter; and determining the thermal donor concentration from the specific value of the parameter by using the experimental relationship.

Abstract: Imagers and associated devices and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager includes a pixel array and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array. The pixel array includes an imaging pixel configured to produce a reset signal and a non-imaging pixel configured to produce a nominal reset signal. The control circuitry is configured to produce an output signal based at least in part on one of (a) the nominal reset signal when distortion at the imaging pixel exceeds a threshold and (b) the reset signal when distortion does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: Imagers and associated devices and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager includes a pixel array and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array. The pixel array includes an imaging pixel configured to produce a reset signal and a non-imaging pixel configured to produce a nominal reset signal. The control circuity is configured to produce an output signal based at least in part on one of (a) the nominal reset signal when distortion at the imaging pixel exceeds a threshold and (b) the reset signal when distortion does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: Imagers and associated devices and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager includes a pixel array and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array. The pixel array includes an imaging pixel configured to produce a reset signal and a non-imaging pixel configured to produce a nominal reset signal. The control circuity is configured to produce an output signal based at least in part on one of (a) the nominal reset signal when distortion at the imaging pixel exceeds a threshold and (b) the reset signal when distortion does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: A method for determining the thermal donor concentration of a test sample made of a semiconductor material, includes providing a reference sample made of the same semiconductor material and having a known thermal donor concentration; measuring a photoluminescence signal of the reference sample for a photon energy comprised between 0.65 eV and 0.8 eV, the photoluminescence signal of the reference sample exhibiting an intensity peak in a photon energy range of 0.65 eV to 0.8 eV; determining, from the photoluminescence signal, an experimental relationship between the thermal donor concentration and a parameter representative of the intensity peak; measuring a photoluminescence signal of the test sample for at least one photon energy comprised between 0.65 eV and 0.8 eV; determining from the photoluminescence signal a specific value of the parameter; and determining the thermal donor concentration from the specific value of the parameter by using the experimental relationship.

Abstract: Imagers and associated devices and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager includes a pixel array and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array. The pixel array includes an imaging pixel configured to produce a reset signal and a non-imaging pixel configured to produce a nominal reset signal. The control circuitry is configured to produce an output signal based at least in part on one of (a) the nominal reset signal when distortion at the imaging pixel exceeds a threshold and (b) the reset signal when distortion does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: Imagers and associated devices and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager includes a pixel array and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array. The pixel array includes an imaging pixel configured to produce a reset signal and a non-imaging pixel configured to produce a nominal reset signal. The control circuitry is configured to produce an output signal based at least in part on one of (a) the nominal reset signal when distortion at the imaging pixel exceeds a threshold and (b) the reset signal when distortion does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: Imagers and associated devices and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager includes a pixel array and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array. The pixel array includes an imaging pixel configured to produce a reset signal and a non-imaging pixel configured to produce a nominal reset signal. The control circuitry is configured to produce an output signal based at least in part on one of (a) the nominal reset signal when distortion at the imaging pixel exceeds a threshold and (b) the reset signal when distortion does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: Imagers and associated devices and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager includes a pixel array and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array. The pixel array includes an imaging pixel configured to produce a reset signal and a non-imaging pixel configured to produce a nominal reset signal. The control circuity is configured to produce an output signal based at least in part on one of (a) the nominal reset signal when distortion at the imaging pixel exceeds a threshold and (b) the reset signal when distortion does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: An cable that is flexible and watertight by means of a metallic water resistant barrier has at least two protective layers 20, 30 of metal tape wound to a cable core 10 with small gaps 50 between each turn of the tape, and where each layer is displaced 50% relative to each other thus covering the gaps in the layers 20, 30, and where the gaps 50 are filled with a water resistant material.

Abstract: Imagers and associated devices and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager includes a pixel array and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array. The pixel array includes an imaging pixel configured to produce a reset signal and a non-imaging pixel configured to produce a nominal reset signal. The control circuitry is configured to produce an output signal based at least in part on one of (a) the nominal reset signal when distortion at the imaging pixel exceeds a threshold and (b) the reset signal when distortion does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: A low loss cable system adapted for use as a cable landfall system. The cable system comprises a cable having a plurality of cores. Each core comprises a conductor, a first insulating layer, a second electrically conductive layer and a third layer. The cable comprises two sections, connected at a connection point CP. A first section of the cable is arranged to be exposed to a landfall area and a second section of the cable is arranged to be exposed to a submarine area. The cable is arranged such that circulating currents are prevented or reduced in the second conductive layers of the cable in the section exposed to the landfall area, thus assisting in maintaining the ampacity of the cable in this section without, or by reducing, the need to increase the cross sectional area of the cable in the landfall area. This is accomplished by electrically connecting the second conductive layers of the cores to each other at the connection point.

Abstract: A low loss cable system adapted for use as a cable landfall system. The cable system comprises a cable having a plurality of cores. Each core comprises a conductor, a first insulating layer, a second electrically conductive layer and a third layer. The cable comprises two sections, connected at a connection point CP. A first section of the cable is arranged to be exposed to a landfall area and a second section of the cable is arranged to be exposed to a submarine area. The cable is arranged such that circulating currents are prevented or reduced in the second conductive layers of the cable in the section exposed to the landfall area, thus assisting in maintaining the ampacity of the cable in this section without, or by reducing, the need to increase the cross sectional area of the cable in the landfall area. This is accomplished by electrically connecting the second conductive layers of the cores to each other at the connection point.

Abstract: Imagers and associated devices and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager includes a pixel array and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array. The pixel array includes an imaging pixel configured to produce a reset signal and a non-imaging pixel configured to produce a nominal reset signal. The control circuitry is configured to produce an output signal based at least in part on one of (a) the nominal reset signal when distortion at the imaging pixel exceeds a threshold and (b) the reset signal when distortion does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: Imagers and associated devices and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager includes a pixel array and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array. The pixel array includes an imaging pixel configured to produce a reset signal and a non-imaging pixel configured to produce a nominal reset signal. The control circuitry is configured to produce an output signal based at least in part on one of (a) the nominal reset signal when distortion at the imaging pixel exceeds a threshold and (b) the reset signal when distortion does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: Imagers and associated devices and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an imager includes a pixel array and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array. The pixel array includes an imaging pixel configured to produce a reset signal and a non-imaging pixel configured to produce a nominal reset signal. The control circuity is configured to produce an output signal based at least in part on one of (a) the nominal reset signal when distortion at the imaging pixel exceeds a threshold and (b) the reset signal when distortion does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: An anti-eclipse circuit for an imager is formed from pixel circuitry over the same semiconductor substrate as the imaging pixels. More specifically, two adjacent pixel circuits are modified to form an amplifier. One input of the amplifier is adapted to receive a reset signal from one of the pixel circuits while another input is adapted to be set at a predetermined offset voltage from the output of the amplifier. The amplifier is preferably a unity gain amplifier, so that the output of the amplifier set to a voltage level equal to the predetermined offset from the voltage level of the reset signal. Accordingly, the anti-eclipse circuit outputs a reference voltage at predetermined level from the reset voltage of a pixel and does not need to be calibrated for fabrication related variances in reset voltages.

Abstract: An imager and a method for real-time, non-destructive monitoring of light incident on imager pixels during their exposure to light. Real-time or present pixel signals, which are indicative of present illumination on the pixels, are compared to a reference signal during the exposure. Adjustments, if necessary, are made to programmable parameters such as gain and/or exposure time to automatically control the imager's exposure to the light. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, only a selected number of pixels are monitored for exposure control as opposed to monitoring the entire pixel array.

Abstract: An cable that is flexible and watertight by means of a metallic water resistant barrier has at least two protective layers 20, 30 of metal tape wound to a cable core 10 with small gaps 50 between each turn of the tape, and where each layer is displaced 50% relative to each other thus covering the gaps in the layers 20, 30, and where the gaps 50 are filled with a water resistant material.

Abstract: Low headroom line driver circuits are disclosed. In several embodiments, the line driver circuits include a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor and a fourth transistor, where the first transistor and second transistors; and the third and fourth transistors are matched, first and second matched impedances, first and second driver controls circuit configured to apply control signals to the gates of the first and second transistors; and the third and fourth transistors respectively. In addition, the first and third transistors; and the second and fourth transistors are configured as a pair of stacked transistors connected between the voltage supplies Vdd and Vss, the second and fourth transistors are configured as a pair of stacked transistors connected between the voltage supplies Vdd and Vss, the matched impedances are connected in series between nodes formed by the connection between the first and third transistors; and the second and fourth transistors.