Abstract: Apparatus, and a corresponding method for its use, for producing an enhanced image of a reflective target on a remote object, such as a space vehicle with which docking maneuvers are being carried out. Radiation at two separate wavelengths illuminates the target, and reflected radiation is separated by wavelength to produce two images simultaneously. Because the target is responsive to only one of the wavelengths, but reflections from other objects are received for both wavelengths, subtraction of the two images substantially removes unwanted image components resulting from reflections from objects other than the target. Producing the two images simultaneously, using two cameras, ensures that the unwanted image components are substantially the same in the two images, and can therefore be removed by subtraction during image processing.

Abstract: A polycrystalline silicon field plate underlies a polycrystalline silicon resistor and is heavily doped so that it is virtually a conductor while an aluminum field plate overlies the polycrystalline silicon resistor. Electrical potentials are applied to the polycrystalline field plate and the aluminum field plate, the potentials being selected so that an electric field is created at the boundary between the polycrystalline semiconductor resistor and the surrounding dielectric layer, the electric field forcing charge carriers in the resistor away from the boundary and toward a central region of the resistor. As a result, surface state noise in the resistor is significantly reduced.