Abstract: A silicon wafer having a layer of oxygen precipitates and method of manufacturing thereof wherein the wafer exhibiting robustness characterized as having a ratio of a first average density from a first treatment that to a second average density from a second treatment is between 0.74 to 1.02, wherein the first treatment includes heating the wafer or a portion of the wafer at about 1150° C. for about 2 minutes and then between about 950 to 1000° C. for about 16 hours, and the second treatment includes heating the wafer or a portion of the wafer at about 780° C. for about 3 hours and then between about 950 to 1000° C. for about 16 hours. The wafer exhibits heretofore unattainable uniformity wherein a ratio of an oxygen precipitate density determined from any one cubic centimeter in the BMD layer of the wafer to another oxygen precipitate density from any other one cubic centimeter in the BMD layer of the wafer is in a range of 0.77 to 1.30.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a light detection device and an electronic apparatus that are configured to be able to increase the circuit occupancy area within a substrate.

Abstract: To improve the image quality in a solid-state imaging element that performs CDS processing. The solid-state imaging element includes an amplitude detection unit and a black spot prevention unit. The amplitude detection unit detects whether an output voltage that is a voltage of a vertical signal line for transmitting either a reset level at which a pixel is initialized or a signal level corresponding to an amount of light exceeds a predetermined determination threshold. The black spot prevention unit controls, when the output voltage exceeds the determination threshold, a first digital signal obtained by converting the reset level and a second digital signal obtained by converting the signal level to different values.

Abstract: The present strain gauge is a strain gauge installed on a Roberval-type strain generator, and includes a substrate having flexibility; and a resistor formed of a film that contains Cr, CrN, and Cr2N over the substrate, wherein a film thickness of the resistor is greater than or equal to 6 nm and less than or equal to 100 nm.

Abstract: An imaging device of an embodiment has a first substrate, a second substrate, a wire, and a trench. The first substrate has a pixel having a photodiode and a floating diffusion that holds a charge converted by the photodiode. The second substrate has a pixel circuit that reads a pixel signal based on the charge held in the floating diffusion in the pixel, and is stacked on the first substrate. The wire penetrates the first substrate and the second substrate in a stacking direction, and electrically connects the floating diffusion in the first substrate to an amplification transistor in the pixel circuit of the second substrate. The trench is formed at least in the second substrate, runs in parallel with the wire, and has a depth equal to or greater than the thickness of a semiconductor layer in the second substrate.

Abstract: A method of reducing warp imparted to a silicon wafer having a (110) plane orientation and a <111> notch orientation by anisotropic film stress of a multilayer film that is to be formed on a surface of the silicon wafer, that includes forming the multilayer film on a surface of the silicon wafer in an orientation so that a direction in which the warp of the wafer will be greatest coincides with a direction in which Young's modulus of a crystal orientation of the silicon wafer is greatest. Also, a method of reducing warp imparted to a silicon wafer having a (111) plane orientation by isotropic film stress of a multilayer film to be formed on a surface of the silicon wafer, that includes, prior to forming the multilayer film, causing the silicon wafer to have an oxygen concentration of 8.0×1017 atoms/cm3 or more (ASTM F-121, 1979).

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes a plurality of imaging device blocks each including P×Q imaging devices. In an imaging device block, first charge movement controlling electrodes are provided between the imaging devices, and second charge movement controlling electrodes are provided between the imaging device blocks. In the imaging device block, P imaging devices are arrayed along a first direction, and Q imaging devices are arrayed along a second direction. Charge accumulated in a photoelectric conversion layer of the (P?1)th imaging device from the first imaging device along the first direction is transferred to the photoelectric conversion layer of the Pth imaging device and read out together with charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion layers of the Q Pth imaging devices, under the control of the first charge movement controlling electrodes.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a stacked photoelectric converter for each of pixels. The stacked photoelectric converter has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements stacked therein. The plurality of photoelectric conversion elements each has different wavelength selectivity. This solid-state imaging device further includes a plurality of data output lines from which pixel signals based on electric charges outputted from the photoelectric conversion elements are outputted. A plurality of data output lines is provided for each predetermined unit pixel column. The plurality of the data output lines is equal in number to an integer multiple of the photoelectric conversion elements stacked in the stacked photoelectric converter.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a group III nitride semiconductor substrate, that includes: growing a first AlN buffer layer on an Si substrate at a first growth temperature; growing a second AlN buffer layer on the first AlN buffer layer at a second growth temperature higher than the first growth temperature; and growing a group III nitride semiconductor layer on the second AlN buffer layer, wherein an Al raw material and an N raw material are alternately repeatedly fed in the growing the first AlN buffer layer.

Abstract: An imaging device of an embodiment has a first substrate, a second substrate, a wire, and a trench. The first substrate has a pixel having a photodiode and a floating diffusion that holds a charge converted by the photodiode. The second substrate has a pixel circuit that reads a pixel signal based on the charge held in the floating diffusion in the pixel, and is stacked on the first substrate. The wire penetrates the first substrate and the second substrate in a stacking direction, and electrically connects the floating diffusion in the first substrate to an amplification transistor in the pixel circuit of the second substrate. The trench is formed at least in the second substrate, runs in parallel with the wire, and has a depth equal to or greater than the thickness of a semiconductor layer in the second substrate.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a stacked photoelectric converter for each of pixels. The stacked photoelectric converter has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements stacked therein. The plurality of photoelectric conversion elements each has different wavelength selectivity. This solid-state imaging device further includes a plurality of data output lines from which pixel signals based on electric charges outputted from the photoelectric conversion elements are outputted. A plurality of data output lines is provided for each predetermined unit pixel column. The plurality of the data output lines is equal in number to an integer multiple of the photoelectric conversion elements stacked in the stacked photoelectric converter.

Abstract: A convection pattern estimation method of a silicon melt includes: applying a horizontal magnetic field of 0.2 tesla or more to a silicon melt in a rotating quartz crucible with use of a pair of magnetic bodies disposed across the quartz crucible; before a seed crystal is dipped into the silicon melt to which the horizontal magnetic field is applied; measuring temperatures at a first and second measurement points positioned on a first imaginary line that passes through a center of a surface of the silicon melt and is not in parallel with a central magnetic field line of the horizontal magnetic field as viewed vertically from above; and estimating a direction of a convection flow in a plane in the silicon melt orthogonal to the direction in which the horizontal magnetic field is applied on a basis of the measured temperatures of the first and second measurement points.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an epitaxial silicon wafer includes forming an epitaxial film made of silicon on a surface of a silicon wafer in a trichlorosilane gas atmosphere; and setting the nitrogen concentration of the surface of the epitaxial film through inward diffusion from a nitride film on the epitaxial film, the nitride film being formed by subjecting the silicon wafer provided with the epitaxial film to heat treatment in a nitrogen atmosphere.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an imaging device and an imaging method capable of improving image quality of an image captured by the imaging device. The present technology includes: a photoelectric conversion section that performs photoelectric conversion; a first capacitor that holds a first signal from the photoelectric conversion section; a second capacitor that holds a second signal from the photoelectric conversion section; a first reading section that reads the first signal held in the first capacitor; a second reading section that reads the second signal held in the second capacitor; a differential circuit in which the first signal from the first reading section is input at one end and the second signal from the second reading section is input at another end; and an initialization section that initializes the differential circuit. The present technology can be applied to, for example, an imaging device.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging element which detects visible light and ultraviolet light in one pixel provides improved resolution. First and second photoelectric conversion elements each perform photoelectric conversion of incident light. A first accumulation part accumulates electric charges that are photoelectrically converted by the first photoelectric conversion element second accumulation part is disposed on one face of a substrate and accumulates electric charges that are photoelectrically converted by the second photoelectric conversion element. A connection part is connected to the second accumulation part and transfers the electric charges accumulated in the second accumulation part to another face of the substrate.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an image pickup apparatus capable of improving image quality of an image captured by the image pickup apparatus. Included are a photoelectric conversion unit that performs photoelectric conversion, a first capacitor and a second capacitor that hold a signal from the photoelectric conversion unit, and an initialization switch that initializes the second capacitor, in which one end of the first capacitor, one end of the second capacitor, and an amplification unit that amplifies a signal from the photoelectric conversion unit are connected, another end of the second capacitor and one end of the initialization switch are connected, and another end of the first capacitor and another end of the initialization switch are connected to a voltage source. The present technology can be applied to, for example, an image pickup apparatus.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an imaging device and an imaging method capable of improving image quality of an image captured by the imaging device. The present technology includes: a photoelectric conversion section that performs photoelectric conversion; a first capacitor that holds a first signal from the photoelectric conversion section; a second capacitor that holds a second signal from the photoelectric conversion section; a first reading section that reads the first signal held in the first capacitor; a second reading section that reads the second signal held in the second capacitor; a differential circuit in which the first signal from the first reading section is input at one end and the second signal from the second reading section is input at another end; and an initialization section that initializes the differential circuit. The present technology can be applied to, for example, an imaging device.

Abstract: A silicon wafer having a layer of oxygen precipitates and method of manufacturing thereof wherein the wafer exhibiting robustness characterized as having a ratio of a first average density from a first treatment that to a second average density from a second treatment is between 0.74 to 1.02, wherein the first treatment includes heating the wafer or a portion of the wafer at about 1150° C. for about 2 minutes and then between about 950 to 1000° C. for about 16 hours, and the second treatment includes heating the wafer or a portion of the wafer at about 780° C. for about 3 hours and then between about 950 to 1000° C. for about 16 hours. The wafer exhibits heretofore unattainable uniformity wherein a ratio of an oxygen precipitate density determined from any one cubic centimeter in the BMD layer of the wafer to another oxygen precipitate density from any other one cubic centimeter in the BMD layer of the wafer is in a range of 0.77 to 1.30.

Abstract: Provided are a forming method of forming, with high efficiency, a tear line groove even with a layout of unsuitable for processing for drawing a locus in a unicursal manner, and an instrument panel formed by the forming method. The forming method is a method of forming a tear line groove in an airbag deployment portion, the tear line groove including: an airbag deployment portion forming step of applying, as one die of two dies constituting a cavity into which a molten resin is injected to form the airbag deployment portion, a die having a ridge protruding inwardly in the cavity to form a part of the tear line groove; and a post-processing step of processing the remaining tear line groove, which were not formed in the airbag deployment portion forming step.

Abstract: The present invention is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array section including a plurality of unit pixels capable of accumulating charge photoelectrically converted by a photoelectric conversion section in a predetermined floating diffusion (FD) region; a system control section that controls the pixel array section; and a pixel signal reading mechanism that reads a pixel signal based on the charge from the predetermined FD region of a unit pixel of the plurality of unit pixels under control of the system control section. The pixel signal reading mechanism may include an AD converter that performs AD conversion processing on the pixel signal read, and a determination section that performs brightness/darkness determination of light received by the unit pixel on the basis of the pixel signal read in a determination phase.