Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion unit configured to output a pulse in response to incidence of a photon, a counting unit including a plurality of counters each configured to count pulses output from the photoelectric conversion unit, and a calculation unit configured to perform calculation processing on a plurality of count values held by the plurality of counters, and an output line connected to the pixel. The calculation unit outputs a determination value indicating a relationship between the plurality of count values. The pixel outputs a pixel signal including a determination value to the output line.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a plurality of pixels each of which includes a photoelectric conversion circuit that generates electric charges in accordance with incident light from an object, a measuring circuit that measures electric charges generated in the photoelectric conversion circuit in a period outside an exposure period of the photoelectric conversion circuit, a specifying circuit that specifies a characteristic of a light source, based on a measurement result by the measuring circuit, and an adjusting circuit that adjusts the exposure period of the photoelectric conversion circuit, based on the characteristic specified by the specifying circuit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a plurality of pixels each of which includes a photoelectric conversion circuit that generates electric charges in accordance with incident light from an object, a measuring circuit that measures electric charges generated in the photoelectric conversion circuit in a period outside an exposure period of the photoelectric conversion circuit, a specifying circuit that specifies a characteristic of a light source, based on a measurement result by the measuring circuit, and an adjusting circuit that adjusts the exposure period of the photoelectric conversion circuit, based on the characteristic specified by the specifying circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plasmon waveguide including cladding (2) consisted of metal, and a dielectric core (3) which is formed of a transparent material, surrounded by or sandwiched by the cladding (2), and has at least one cross-section having a thickness no more than the wavelength of the incident light. The plasmon waveguide is provided with: a incident-side plasmon waveguide (4) into which light (L) is incident; an emission-side plasmon waveguide (5) from which light (L) is emitted; a connection portion (6) connecting the incident-side plasmon waveguide (4) and emission-side plasmon waveguide (5); and a plasmon interference structure (7) which extends from the connection portion (6) in the direction intersecting the incident-side plasmon waveguide (4) or the emission-side plasmon waveguide (5), and has a terminal (7a) at which light (L) is reflected.