Abstract: Methods, storage mediums, and systems for correlating pulses generated from multiple interrogation regions in a flow cytometer to particular particles flowing through the flow cytometer are provided. Embodiments of the methods, storage mediums, and systems include configurations for calibrating a flow cytometer using a calibration particle having a unique signature to determine a time-of-flight for particles flowing through the flow cytometer. Based on the calculated time-of-flight and relative positions of interrogation regions corresponding to collectors of the flow cytometer, the methods, storage mediums, and systems may further include configurations for associating other signal pulses to particles of one or more different particle sets.

Abstract: There is provided an optical raindrop detector including a light source, a light guide, an image sensor and a processing unit. The light source alternatively emits light with different brightness values. The light guide has an incident surface, a detection surface and an ejection surface, wherein the light source emits incident light into the light guide via the incident surface, and a plurality of microstructures are formed on the ejection surface to reflect the incident light to become scattered light toward the detection surface. The image sensor receives reflected light formed by raindrops in front of the detection surface reflecting the scattered light to penetrate the light guide and eject from the ejection surface, and generates image frames corresponding to the different brightness values of the light source. The processing unit calculates differential images of the image frames to accordingly identify rain intensity.

Abstract: A current-voltage converting circuit (2) is provided with a first feedback circuit (5) and a correcting transistor (Q1). The first feedback circuit (5) outputs, of an output voltage (V10), a voltage according to a magnitude of a low-frequency component that is not greater than or equal to a predefined first cut-off frequency. The correcting transistor (Q1) extracts a correction current (I21) according to a magnitude of an output of the first feedback circuit (5) from a sensor current (I10). The first feedback circuit (5) has a first integrating circuit (9) and a sample-and-hold circuit (10). The first integrating circuit (9) integrates the output voltage (V10) of a conversion section (3). The sample-and-hold circuit (10) samples and holds an output of the first integrating circuit (9) during a sensing period at which a pulsed detection signal is inputted. Means for preventing an incidence of ambient light onto a light-receiving section can be simplified or omitted as a result.

Abstract: An optical sensor to measure the turbidity of wash water in a household washing machine or dishwasher, includes a housing having a housing interior containing a measurement module having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, the measurement module defining a measurement light path which extends from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element and passes outside the housing over a part of its path length. The light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are arranged together in a first subspace of the housing interior, and the measurement light path extends over a part of its path length through at least one second subspace of the housing interior, which is sealed from the first subspace. All the electrical/electronic components of the measurement module are fitted in the first subspace, so that any ingress of wash water into the second subspace does not compromise the electrical functionality of the sensor.

Abstract: The solution provides a frequency distribution of a dimension of objects projected onto an image, the distribution being generated by measuring the dimension of the objects in a space in which the position of each object is at least partly free, the dimension of each object in the image depending on the position of the object. The frequency distribution of the projected objects is weighted by a weighting operation compensating for the impact of the projection in order to generate a real frequency distribution of the objects.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating blood having a camera observing fluid flow, and a controller controlling the flow. The location of an interface is detected by image processing steps, which may comprise the steps of “spoiling” the image, “diffusing” the image, “edge detection”, “edge linking”, “region-based confirmation”, and “interface calculation”. “Spoiling” reduces the number of pixels to be examined preferentially on orthogonal axis oriented with respect to the expected location of the interface or phase boundary. “Diffusing” smoothes out small oscillations in the interface boundary, making the location of the interface more distinct. “Edge detection” computes the rate of change in pixel intensity. “Edge linking” connects adjacent maxima. “Region-based confirmation” creates a pseudo image of the regions that qualify as distinct. “Final edge calculation” uses the points where the shade changes in the pseudo image, averages the radial displacement of these points for the interface position.

Abstract: During rain, including a light source (5) for radiating light such that the light is transmitted through a vehicle window (2), a light receiving element (6) for sensing an optical signal when the light radiated from the light source (5) is reflected from the raindrop fallen on the vehicle window (2) and performing a photoelectric transduction, and a receiver (9) for receiving the photoelectrically transduced signal from the light receiving element (6) and judging the level of rainfall. The light source (5) and the light receiving element (6) are inclined with respect to the surface of the vehicle window (2) such that the light of the light source (5) directly reflected from the vehicle window (2) exits to the outside of the light receiving element (6) and the light reflected from a raindrop (8) on the vehicle window (2) is received by the light receiving element (6) to operate a vehicle wiper.

Abstract: A method of determining a steam quality of a wet steam located in an interior of a steam turbine includes emitting from an optical probe a plurality of wavelengths through the wet steam, measuring with the optical probe a wet steam intensity corresponding to each of the plurality of wavelengths emitted through the wet steam, determining an intensity ratio vector by dividing the wet steam intensity by a corresponding dry steam intensity for each of the plurality of wavelengths, successively applying scaling factors to the intensity ratio vector to obtain a scaled intensity ratio vector, calculating a suitable value for each of the scaling factors to obtain a plurality of residuals, determining a minimum residual of the plurality of residuals, determining a droplet size distribution by calculating the droplet number density corresponding to the minimum residual, and determining the steam quality based on the droplet size distribution.

Abstract: A light detecting device includes a case, a reflector, and a light receiving element. The case is fixed to a windshield, and outside light passes through the windshield and an entrance hole defined in the case. A predetermined light travels from a predetermined area, and the reflector reflects the predetermined light of the outside light. The light receiving element is disposed in the case to have a distance from the windshield, and the distance is larger than a distance between the windshield and the entrance hole. The light receiving element receives the reflected predetermined light.

Abstract: An optical sensor has an optical plate which is adapted to make surface contact on a pane, in particular a windshield of a motor vehicle. It further has one or preferably a plurality of photoreceivers arranged on the side of the optical plate facing away from the pane. An optical mask is arranged in the optical path upstream of each photoreceiver, the optical mask having light-blocking and light-transmissive surface areas. The light-transmissive surface areas each allow an optical path to traverse the optical plate, impinging on the photoreceiver and is delimited by the light-blocking surface areas.

Abstract: A photo-electric smoke detector includes a source of radiant energy and a closed loop control circuit which responds to a radiant energy feedback signal to adjust an output characteristic of the emitted radiant energy and which evaluates a quality characteristic of the emitted radiant energy. The feedback circuit and the source can be intermittently activated. Emitted radiant energy is directed toward a lens. The feedback signal is proportional to radiant energy reflected or scattered off of the lens.

Abstract: A Nanomotion Sensor comprises a micromechanical device for the detection and characterization of specimen motions when they interact with one or an array of cantilevered sensors set in the path of the moving specimen. In particular, the present invention provides a method for direct sensing and characterization of motion, including position, torsion, magnitude and direction of velocity, acceleration, force, torque, as well as binding, which may include hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attractions, hydrophobic effects, dipole interactions, or through other forces through the deflection of a micromechanical cantilever sensor. The present invention is particularly useful for the detection and characterization of the motion of biological cells such as bacteria and sperm, biological systems including motor proteins, cilia of the hearing organ and the lining of the airways in asthmatics, and microfabricated systems.

Abstract: A system for analyzing smoke has a plurality of units, wherein each unit includes an optical emitter for alternately directing horizontally and vertically polarized light along a beam path, and into a smoke cloud, to generate scattered light. A horizontally polarized detector and a vertically polarized detector are positioned at different locations, but at a same distance and scattering angle relative to the beam path. Each unit has a different wavelength. A computer receives signals from the detectors of all units, in response to each emitter, for analysis of the smoke.

Abstract: An optical sensor device has a sensor unit which includes a light emitter (24), a light receiver (26), and a lens plate (12) that is used for coupling a pencil of rays, radiated by the light emitter (24), into and out of the pane and directing it onto the light receiver (26). The lens plate (12) includes a combined Fresnel structure (16a, 16b) having a Fresnel lens structure (18a, 18b) and a Fresnel reflector structure (20a, 20b) on a first surface (12a) facing the light emitter (24) and the light receiver (26), and a Fresnel reflector structure (22a, 22b) on an opposite, second surface (12b) facing the pane. This configuration is especially suitable for use as a rain sensor. Without the light emitter the sensor device is suitable to be used as a light sensor.

Abstract: Sensors can be used to obtain encoded sensing results from objects that have nonuniform relative motion. A photosensor or impedance-based sensor, for example, can obtain sensing results from objects that have relative motion within a sensing region relative to the sensor, with the relative motion being, for example, periodically varying, randomly varying, chirp-varying, or modulated relative motion that completes at least one modulation cycle within the sensing region. Relative motion can be caused by varying objects' speed and/or direction or by controlling flow of fluid carrying objects, movement of a channel, movement of a support structure, movement of a sensor, and/or pattern movement. A fluidic implementation can include shaped channel wall parts and/or a displacement component causing time-varying lateral displacement.

Abstract: A flow cytometry system includes a flow element through which a cell is transported in a flowing fluid. The flow element includes a bore bounded by a wall. A light source is configured to illuminate the cell. An optical system receives light emanating from the cell and directs at least some of the received light to a light sensor. The optical system includes a numerical-aperture-increasing lens at a wall of the flow element. At least some of the received light passes through the numerical-aperture-increasing lens. The flow cytometry system may also include a beam splitter that directs two wavelength bands of the emanating light such that light in two wavelength band preferentially reach different sensing locations via different paths. The system may also include an optical element placed in one of the paths, shifting a focal location of the affected path to compensate for chromatic aberration of the numerical-aperture-increasing lens.

Abstract: A photoelectric smoke detector is capable of preventing an erroneous alarm from being issued even when steam flows into a smoke detecting unit. The smoke detecting unit includes: an installation section; and a smoke inlet section. The installation section includes: a light emitting element for emitting light to an inside of the installation section; and a light receiving element for receiving the light emitted from the light emitting element. The smoke inlet section includes: a plurality of wall members for preventing external light from entering the smoke inlet section; and a smoke inlet formed between the plurality of wall members. The installation section and the smoke inlet section are arranged so as to overlap each other, with the smoke inlet section being positioned on a lower side of the installation section, and are communicated with each other through an opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing bacteria is described that includes an analytic sample preparation section for preparing an analytic sample by treating a specimen so as to generate a morphological difference between Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria, a detector for detecting optical information from each particle contained in the analytic sample and an analyzing section for detecting Gram-positive bacteria contained on the basis of the detected optical information. A method for analyzing bacteria is also described.

Abstract: A combination smoke and heat detector which allows, in spite of a simple structure, light emitted from an indication lamp to be visually confirmed from a wide range of directions. The combination smoke and heat detector (100) includes a body base (10), a printed circuit board (1), a thermosensitive element (2), a dark chamber (3), an indication lamp (4) mounted to the printed circuit board (1), a protective cover (30), and a bar-like light guide (5) for guiding light emitted from the indication lamp (4) to the outside of the protective cover (30). The light guide (5) passes through a light guide through-hole (35) formed in the protective cover (30) so as to be mounted therein, with one end surface thereof facing the indication lamp (4), and another end surface thereof protruding to the outside of the protective cover (30) by a height substantially equal to or larger than a protruding height of the dark chamber (3).

Abstract: An optical sensor for use in a washing machine or dishwasher comprises a housing, a light-emitting element, a light-receiving element and a light-conducting structure, which is made from a transparent material, having a light entry point, a first reflection surface, a second reflection surface and a light exit point. The light-emitting element, the light-receiving element and the light-conducting structure define a light measurement path that runs, in this sequence, from the light-emitting element, via the light entry point, the first reflection surface, the second reflection surface and the light exit point, to the light-receiving element. In this case, on a section located between the first and the second reflection surface, the light measurement path runs outside the housing. The light that reaches the light-receiving element, along the light measurement path, from the light-emitting element undergoes total reflection on the first reflection surface and on the second reflection surface.

Abstract: A light sensor for detecting brightness of an outside of a vehicle includes: a light shielding element on a windshield; a light guiding element in a through hole of the light shielding element; and a light receiving element that receives light from the outside of the vehicle via the light guiding element and the windshield. The light guiding element includes an entrance surface facing the windshield and an output surface facing the light receiving element. The entrance surface receives the light from the outside. The light guiding element transmits and outputs the light from the output surface toward the light receiving element. The entrance surface has a top disposed inside of the through hole.

Abstract: A multi-frequency photoelectric smoke detector includes a multi-frequency, source and an multi-frequency sensing array. The array can be part of a solid state camera which can be used to sense scattered multi-frequency light. Multiple wavelength signals, red, blue green for example, emitted by the camera can be analyzed to determine a degree of airborne particulate matter in a sensing region between the source and the array.

Abstract: A microplate for use within an interrogation system and a method of using the microplate are disclosed. The microplate contains within the bottom of each well, an optical waveguide grating based sensor. Approximate to each sensor is a mask having an aperture of predetermined size. The aperture regulates the light that enters and exits the sensor upon successive scans and ensures repeatable readings from the sensor. In an extended embodiment, a method of detection is disclosed that utilizes a launch and receive system while employing the aforementioned microplate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compact cavity ring down spectrometer for detection and measurement of trace species in a sample gas using a tunable solid-state continuous-wave mid-infrared PPLN OPO laser or a tunable low-power solid-state continuous wave near-infrared diode laser with an algorithm for reducing the periodic noise in the voltage decay signal which subjects the data to cluster analysis or by averaging of the interquartile range of the data.

Abstract: A method for discriminating particle groups comprises generating, by a particle analyzer, a particle characteristic distribution histogram in which the abscissa indicates respective channels for representing the characteristics of the particles, and the ordinate indicates the particle count; setting a valid area selection height in the particle characteristics distribution histogram; and generating an equivalent negative histogram based on the set height and the particle characteristic distribution histogram.

Abstract: Values for one or more particle properties, such as an aerosol asymmetry parameter g, can be measured directly using a detector that measures scattered light. The detector can comprise two or more diffusers coupled to optical sensors responsive to scattered light that is incident on the surfaces of the diffusers. One or more weighing functions can be obtained based on diffuser geometry. In an example, the diffusers correspond to quadrants of a circular toroid.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of detecting impurities in a metal-containing article. A portion of metal material is removed from a metal article and is solubilized in an acid or base-comprising liquid to produce a liquid sample. The liquid sample is subjected to an incident laser beam and light scattered from the sample is detected. The invention includes a method of analyzing a physical vapor deposition target material. A portion of target material is removed from the target and is rinsed with an acid-comprising solution. The portion of target material is dissolved to produce a liquid sample. The sample is subjected to an incident laser beam and scatter of the laser beam is detected to determine the number of particles present in the sample within a particular size range.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a solid-liquid interface, including providing a vessel configured to contain an at least partially melted material; detecting radiation reflected from a surface of a liquid portion of the at least partially melted material; providing sound energy to the surface; measuring a disturbance on the surface; calculating at least one frequency associated with the disturbance; and determining a thickness of the liquid portion based on the at least one frequency, wherein the thickness is calculated based on L=(2m?1)vs/4f, where f is the frequency where the disturbance has an amplitude maximum, vs is the speed of sound in the material, and m is a positive integer (1, 2, 3, . . . ).

Abstract: A particle characterization system including a flow source to produce a stream of particles; a source of light or other energy directed at the stream of particles to cause fluorescence or scattered light to be emitted from the particles; a detector of the fluorescent or scattered light including a plurality of light receivers in an enclosed three-dimensional arrangement to detect the light emitted by the particles; and a computer which receives information from the detector regarding light emitted by a particle in response to the source of light or other energy, the computer programmed to determine a characteristic of the particle based on the light collected from the particle.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a laser anemometry probe for optical homodyne detection of frequency offset by Doppler effect, comprising two devices (DERF1, DERF2) for transmitting/receiving beams in two different directions, avoiding duplicating a plurality of elements of a mono-axial laser anemometry probe.

Abstract: A fire detector operating by the scattered radiation principle is described, having at least one radiation transmitter and at least one radiation receiver, whose beam paths form a scattering volume. The fire detector includes, in addition to at least one first radiation transmitter and one first radiation receiver, at least one second radiation transmitter and one second radiation receiver, whose beam paths form at least two spatially separated scattering volumes.

Abstract: A photoelectric smoke detector may detect presence of smoke by utilizing a light emitting element and a light receiving element whose optical axes intersect with each other. The photoelectric smoke detector may include a casing for storing the light emitting element and the light receiving element. Inlet and outlet ports may be respectively provided in one and the other sides of the casing, the inlet and outlet ports bringing air flow into the casing. Rectifying light blocking means may be provided contiguously with each of the inlet and outlet ports, the rectifying light blocking means preventing entry of disturbance light into an interior space and forming a flow line of smoke extending from one or the other inlet and outlet port to the other or the one inlet and outlet port such that the flow line passes through a detection area by the light emitting element and the light receiving element.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for optically detecting an object includes (a) a first emitting device, configured to emit a first emission beam, (b) a first receiving device, configured to receive a first reception beam, (c) a second receiving device, configured to receive a second reception beam, and (d) an evaluation unit connected downstream of the first receiving device and the second receiving device. The first reception beam and/or the second reception beam contains scattered light which is produced when an at least partial scattering of the first transmission beam occurs at the object. The evaluation unit is coupled to the first receiving device and the second receiving device so as to receive a difference signal between a first output signal of the first receiving device and a second output signal of the second receiving device. The sensor apparatus may be incorporated in a proximity sensor and a danger warning system.

Abstract: A predictive maintenance method and apparatus for HVACR systems including a sensor capable of detecting the presence of a gaseous phase in the refrigerant fluid at a location wherein solely liquid phase should be present if the system is functioning properly.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing extended optical traps for commercial use. The method and system employs a diffractive optical element (DOE) to process a light beam wherein the DOE includes phase information and amplitude information to create the extended optical trap. Such extended traps can be line traps and can be further expanded to two and three dimensional configurations.

Abstract: A current-voltage converting circuit (2) is provided with a first feedback circuit (5) and a correcting transistor (Q1). The first feedback circuit (5) outputs, of an output voltage (V10), a voltage according to a magnitude of a low-frequency component that is not greater than or equal to a predefined first cut-off frequency. The correcting transistor (Q1) extracts a correction current (I21) according to a magnitude of an output of the first feedback circuit (5) from a sensor current (I10). The first feedback circuit (5) has a first integrating circuit (9) and a sample-and-hold circuit (10). The first integrating circuit (9) integrates the output voltage (V10) of a conversion section (3). The sample-and-hold circuit (10) samples and holds an output of the first integrating circuit (9) during a sensing period at which a pulsed detection signal is inputted. Means for preventing an incidence of ambient light onto a light-receiving section can be simplified or omitted as a result.

Abstract: The photoelectric smoke sensor includes a casing member 1 having an internal space S formed by a labyrinth wall 1b and an opening 6 communicating with the internal space S on a setting-face side; and a printed board 8 placed on the setting-face side of the casing member 1 and having a hole 8a opposed to the opening 6 of the casing member 1. The light emitting element 2 and the light receiving element 4 are mounted on the printed board 8 in such a fashion that the optical axes of the light emitting element 2 and the light receiving element 4 cross each other on one plane that is substantially parallel to an opening plane of the opening 6. The photoelectric smoke sensor can be reduced in both size and cost with a simple construction.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting one or more substances includes a radiation source emitting a beam of radiation and also includes a material capable of reflecting the beam of radiation with a first characteristic and capable of reflecting the beam of radiation with a second characteristic when the material interacts with the one or more substances. The apparatus also includes two or more radiation detectors to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation. A first one of the two or more radiation detectors is adjustably aligned to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation reflected from a first region of the material. A second one of the two or more radiation detectors is adjustably aligned to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation reflected from a second region of the material.

Abstract: A particle monitor system capable of accurately detecting the number of or the size of particles flowing through an exhaust pipe. In a bypass line through which a chamber is communicated with a dry pump, there is disposed the particle monitor system that includes a laser oscillator for irradiating laser light, a photo multiplier tube having a focal point thereof located at a location where the center axis of the bypass line crosses the laser light, and a particle converging member formed by a circular disk-like member and formed with a through hole facing the focal point FP. A gap is defined between the bypass line and an outer periphery of the particle converging member.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a drop ejector assembly includes a printhead, a drop zone immediately downstream from the printhead, an array of optical fibers exposed to the drop zone such that light scattered off drops in the drop zone illuminates at least some of the optical fibers in the array, and a photo detector operatively connected to the array of optical fibers for converting light from the optical fibers into an electrical signal. In another embodiment, a drop detector includes a light source for illuminating drops passing through a drop zone and a light sensor for sensing light scattered off drops in the drop zone. The length of drop zone is 3 mm or less and the light sensor has a cross sectional dimension less than the length of the drop zone.

Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a processing chamber for performing a manufacturing processing on a wafer. A gas supply line for introducing a purge gas is connected to an upper portion of the processing chamber, a valve being installed on the gas supply line. A rough pumping line with a valve is connected to a lower portion of the processing chamber. Installed on the rough pumping line are a dry pump for exhausting a gas in the processing chamber and a particle monitoring unit for monitoring particles between the valve and the dry pump. In the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, after the valve is opened, the purge gas is supplied to apply physical vibration due to shock wave in the processing chamber so that deposits are detached therefrom to be monitored as particles.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a light source for generating light at a wavelength <550 nm, and a detector for determining a scattered radiation. The gas sensor further includes a field-effect transistor, a semiconductor diode or an ohmic resistance, which forms a unit together with the light source and/or the detector.

Abstract: A scattered light smoke detector containing an optoelectronical assembly for measuring scatter signals detected below at least one forward scatter angle and at least one backscatter angle and evaluation electronics for determining an alarm value in accordance with the difference between the scatter signals. Smoke signals are produced from the scatter signals by means of a pre-processing step and a measured value is obtained from the smoke signals. The measured value is formed by a linear linking of the sum of the smoke signals to the difference between the smoke signals BW, FW or by establishing the value for the difference between the smoke signals. The linear linking is calculated according to the formula k1(BW+FW)+k2(BW?FW), in which BW and FW are smoke signals and k1 and k2 represent two constants that are influenced among others by an application factor that is dependent on the environmental conditions in the installation location of the detector.

Abstract: Particle detection systems without knowledge of a location and velocity of a particle passing through a volume of space, are less efficient than if knowledge of the particle location is known. An embodiment of a particle position detection system capable of determining an exact location of a particle in a fluid stream is discussed. The detection system may employ a patterned illuminating beam, such that once a particle passes through the various portions of the patterned illuminating beam, a light scattering is produced. The light scattering defines a temporal profile that contains measurement information indicative of an exact particle location. However, knowledge of the exact particle location has several advantages. These advantages include correction of systematic particle measurement errors due to variability of the particle position within the sample volume, targeting of particles based on position, capture of particles based on position, reduced system energy consumption and reduced system complexity.

Abstract: A wiper controlling apparatus capable of discriminating between a signal change at the time of a wiper blade passage and that at the time of a raindrop impact so as to allow a wiper control promptly responding to the change in the condition of the sensing surface is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical drop detection system (10), for a low-flow metering device of the type having a drop generator 12, 24, (19), the system comprising at least one optical transmitter (26) which produces a plurality of light beam pulses (28) of microsecond duration and at millisecond intervals, and at least one optical receiver (33) positioned to register receipt of the light pulses (28) transmitted through the path of drops (18) generated by the drop generator (12, 24, 19) and to record the number of pulses which hit a given drop and which do not register on the receiver (32), the frequency and strength of the pulses being calibrated so that a single drop is impinged upon by a plurality of pulses, and further comprising automatic feed-back means for adjusting the parameters of interaction between the at least one optical transmitter (26) and the at least one optical receiver (32) to produce and maintain a predetermined minimum and a predetermined maximum number of hits per drop.

Abstract: A light scattering type smoke sensor includes a sensor body, light-emitter for emitting light toward an open smoke-sensing space and outputting a light-received signal according to the amount of scattering light received, and a fire judging unit for judging whether fire occurs or not on the basis of the amount of received light determined on the basis of the outputted light-received signal.

Abstract: A photoelectric smoke detector is provided which is suitable for being downsized without detection capability deterioration. The present invention relates to a photoelectric smoke detector for detecting presence of smoke by utilizing a light emitting element and a light receiving element whose optical axes intersect with each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for growing a composite metal sulphide photcatalyst thin film, wherein photochemical deposition and chemical bath deposition are both performed for growing the composite metal sulphide thin film, such as (AgInS2)x/(ZnS)2(1-x), wherein x is 0-1.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining a depth image. A first ray emission unit emits a first emission ray, a second ray emission unit emits a second emission ray, a receiving unit receives a first reflection ray associated with the first emission ray and a second reflection ray associated with the second emission ray, and a processing unit calculates a depth value corresponding to a first pixel, based on an electric charge provided from the first pixel of the receiving unit.