Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of a ferrule that can be connected even when the space for the connection is small. A ferrule of the present invention is configured to hold a plurality of optical transmission members and to be connected to another ferrule. The ferrule includes a first surface facing the end of the optical transmission members when the optical transmission members are held; and a plurality of second surfaces disposed opposite to the first surface in the ferrule. In the ferrule, the optical transmission members extend in the Z direction, and the ferrule is configured to be moved in a direction orthogonal to the Z direction to be connected to the other ferrule.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) structure including a first waveguide core with a first end portion, a second waveguide core with a second end portion overlaying and physically separated from the first end portion, and a coupler configured to facilitate low-loss optical signal transmission between the waveguide cores. The coupler can include at least one array of photonic material elements (e.g., photonic crystal elements or photonic metamaterial elements) embedded in cladding material between the end portions. Alternatively, the coupler can include at least one photonic material layer (e.g., a photonic crystal layer or a photonic metamaterial layer) between and physically separated from the end portions and an array of cladding material elements extending through the photonic material layer. Also disclosed is a PIC structure including an on-chip system (e.g., a photonic computing system) including a crossing array implemented using any of the above-described couplers.

Abstract: A manufacturing method capable of manufacturing a laminate including a substrate having a recess and a film with a high yield is provided. The method of manufacturing a laminate of the present invention includes: preparing a substrate having a recess; disposing a film on the substrate so as to cover the recess; and obtaining a laminate by thermocompression bonding between the film and the substrate by pressing the film and the substrate with a first elastic body and a second elastic body in a state in which the substrate on which the film is disposed is disposed between the first elastic body and the second elastic body such that the film is on the first elastic body side, in which the first elastic body is harder than the second elastic body.

Abstract: A waveguide platform and method of fabricating a waveguide platform on a silicon wafer; the method comprising: providing a wafer having a layer of crystalline silicon; lithographically defining a first region of the top layer; electrochemically etching the waveguide platform to create porous silicon at the lithographically defined first region; epitaxially growing crystalline silicon on top of the porous silicon to create a first upper crystalline layer with a first buried porous silicon region underneath; wherein the first buried porous silicon region defines a taper between a first waveguide region of crystalline silicon having a first depth and a second waveguide region of crystalline silicon having a second depth which is smaller than the first depth.

Abstract: An optical switch includes 2-input 2-output optical switches connected in a multistage, an optical gate provided at each of N-th optical output ports, a driving circuit for operating the 2-input 2-output optical switch, and a driving circuit for operating the optical gate. The driving circuits for operating the 2-input 2-output optical switches are integrated in the vicinity of a control electrode on a waveguide of the 2-input 2-output optical switch. The driving circuits for operating the optical gates are integrated in the vicinity of a control electrode on a waveguide of the optical gates. The waveguide of the 2-input 2-output optical switch and the waveguide of the optical gate each has a p layer, an i layer, and an n layer sequentially formed on a semi-insulating substrate. The optical switch has a trench reaching the semi-insulating substrate between the 2-input 2-output optical switch and the optical gate.

Abstract: A high-performance optical and electronic integrated switch capable of effectively extending the transmission distance includes a network processor that controls the functions of the packet switch, a plurality of optical transceivers provided near the processor and having a photoelectric conversion function, and an optical relay switch. A plurality of optical waveguides are connected to the input and output sides of the optical relay switch. Each optical transceiver has a regeneration function that performs optical-electrical conversion on inputted optical signals, then turns back the converted signals, and performs signal conversion on them, and its input side is connected with a routing optical waveguide included in the optical waveguides on the output side of the switch and its output side is connected with a routing optical waveguide included in the optical waveguides on the input side of the switch. The optical waveguides include ones for connecting to an external communication counterpart.

Abstract: A device includes a photonic routing structure including a silicon waveguide, photonic devices, and a grating coupler, wherein the silicon waveguide is optically coupled to the photonic devices and to the grating coupler; an interconnect structure on the photonic routing structure, wherein the grating coupler is configured to optically couple to an external optical fiber disposed over the interconnect structure; and computing sites on the interconnect structure, wherein each computing site includes an electronic die bonded to the interconnect structure, wherein each electronic die of the computing sites is electrically connected to a corresponding photonic device of the photonic devices.

Abstract: In some examples, an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR)-based high reflective event measurement system may include an OTDR, and an N by M optical switch optically connected to the OTDR or disposed within the OTDR. The optical switch may include a variable attenuator mode and at least one optical fiber connected to at least one output port of the optical switch. At least one fiber optic reflector may be disposed at an end of the at least one optical fiber. A variable optical attenuator may reduce, for the at least one optical fiber including the at least one fiber optic reflector, an amplitude of reflective peaks.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing electromagnetic radiation sensing using sequential beam splitting. The apparatuses can include a micro-mirror chip having a plurality of light reflecting surfaces, an image sensor having an imaging surface, and a beamsplitter unit located between the micro-mirror chip and the image sensor. The beamsplitter unit includes a plurality of beamsplitters aligned along a horizontal axis that is parallel to the micro-mirror chip and the imaging surface. The beamsplitters implement the sequential beam splitting. Because of the structure of the beamsplitter unit, the height of the arrangement of the micro-mirror chip, the beamsplitter unit, and the image sensor is reduced such that the arrangement can fit within a mobile device.

Abstract: In package intra-chip and/or inter-chip optical communications are provided using microLEDs and photodetectors mounted to integrated circuit (IC) chips and/or to transceiver dies associated with the IC chips. Light from the LEDs may pass through waveguides on or in a substrate to which the IC chips are mounted or which couple the IC chips.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a non-linear photonic element for outputting a signal and idler photon pair. The apparatus further comprises a module configured to, based on receiving one or more control signals, controllably store photons and controllably output stored photons. The apparatus further comprises a detector arrangement comprising one or more detectors for detecting light. The module is further configured to receive at least one of the signal and idler photons of the pair. The module is further configured to at least partially store one of the signal or idler photons of the pair. The module is further configured to output the said at least partially stored signal or idler photon along an optical path towards the at least one detectors. The apparatus is configured to direct the other of the signal or idler photon towards the detector arrangement.

Abstract: Provided is a communication control method of controlling communication between a first electrical switch and a second electrical switch each connected via an optical network and via an electrical network and each responsible for one or more devices to enable a data transfer with high reliability and low latency. The communication control method includes processes of (A) determining the presence or absence of blocking in relation to a first setup request of an optical circuit from the first electrical switch to the second electrical switch and (B) performing, if the blocking is present, at least one process of a first process of transmitting, from the first electrical switch, a second setup request of the optical circuit from the first electrical switch to the second electrical switch and a second process of transmitting a packet or a packet flow related to the first setup request from the first electrical switch via the electrical network.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes a transducer case and an ultrasonic element. The transducer case is formed into a bottomed, cylindrical shape having a side plate portion and a bottom plate portion that seals one end side of the side plate portion in an axial direction to configure a diaphragm. The ultrasonic element is fixedly supported to the bottom plate portion to face an interior space surrounded by the side plate portion and the bottom plate portion. The ultrasonic element is arranged in a position being offset in an in-plane direction orthogonal to the axial direction relative to a center position of the diaphragm in the in-plane direction to be capable of generating a first transmission wave having first directivity characteristics and a second transmission wave having second directivity characteristics that are directivity characteristics differing from the first directivity characteristics and in which sound pressure in the axial direction is decreased.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an optical component and a thermal control mechanism adjacent to the optical component and configured to control a temperature of the optical component. The thermal control mechanism includes a conductive structure, a first thermoelectric member and a second thermoelectric member opposite to the first thermoelectric member. The first thermoelectric member and the second thermoelectric member are electrically connected to the conductive structure. The first thermoelectric member and the second thermoelectric member have opposite conductive types. The semiconductor structure further includes a first dielectric layer surrounding the optical component and a portion of the thermal control mechanism, wherein the conductive structure is over the first dielectric layer, and the first thermoelectric member and the second thermoelectric member are surrounded by the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: An optical device includes an optical waveguide that is a rib type and that is formed of a thin film lithium niobate (LiNbO3: LN) substrate using a thin film LN crystal, and a buffer layer that is laminated on the optical waveguide. Furthermore, the optical device includes an electrode that is laminated on the buffer layer and that applies a voltage to the optical waveguide, and a gettering site that is disposed parallel to the optical waveguide and that traps an electric charge inside the optical waveguide.

Abstract: In order to reduce the number of power driving elements, an optical signal processing device includes a control unit, a current generation unit, a connection portion, and an optical signal processing unit, the current generation unit includes one or a plurality of power driving elements s, the optical signal processing unit is an optical waveguide on a substrate, and a plurality of driven elements are connected in parallel to an identical one of the plurality of power driving elements and are driven.

Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) system, preferably including a substrate, one or more photonic connections, and a plurality of circuit blocks. The circuit blocks preferably include one or more waveguides that are optically coupled to the photonic connections, such as by transition features. A method of PIC fabrication, preferably including defining a PIC structure and defining circuit blocks. The circuit blocks are preferably defined onto one or more template regions defined by the PIC structure. Photonic connections are preferably defined as part of the PIC structure. Transition features, such as transitions between the photonic connections and the circuit blocks, are preferably defined concurrently with defining the circuit blocks.

Abstract: In some implementations, a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) includes a delay line arm formed in a chip and a mirrored facet formed in the chip. The delay line arm may be configured to propagate light to the mirrored facet. The mirrored facet may be configured to reflect, to the delay line arm, a percentage of the light propagated to the mirrored facet by the delay line arm.

Abstract: There is provided an optical waveguide device including: a substrate; an optical waveguide formed on the substrate; and a working electrode that controls a light wave propagating through the optical waveguide, in which the working electrode includes a first base layer made of a first material, a first conductive layer on the first base layer, a second base layer made of a second material different from the first material, which is on the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer on the second base layer, and an edge of the second base layer is covered with the second conductive layer, in a cross-section perpendicular to an extending direction of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A phase shifter includes a substrate layer, a cladding layer, and a waveguide. The phase shifter includes a waveguide and a heating element. The phase shifter includes a thermally conductive structure disposed on the cladding layer to disperse heat from the waveguide. The thermally conductive structure may include a metal strip disposed longitudinally along the beam, may include thermally conductive pads, and/or may include thermally conductive vias coupled between the cladding layer and the substrate layer. The phase shifter may be incorporated into light detection and ranging (LIDAR) devices, telecommunications devices, and/or computing devices.

Abstract: A quantum transducer device that comprises a microwave resonator component and optical resonator component that receives and transduce a set of optical photons and at least one of: a voltage pulse or modulated laser pulse, and generate a single microwave photon output.

Abstract: Technologies for dividing work across one or more accelerator devices include a compute device. The compute device is to determine a configuration of each of multiple accelerator devices of the compute device, receive a job to be accelerated from a requester device remote from the compute device, and divide the job into multiple tasks for a parallelization of the multiple tasks among the one or more accelerator devices, as a function of a job analysis of the job and the configuration of each accelerator device. The compute engine is further to schedule the tasks to the one or more accelerator devices based on the job analysis and execute the tasks on the one or more accelerator devices for the parallelization of the multiple tasks to obtain an output of the job.

Abstract: There is provided a MOMS sensor comprising a fiber interface comprising a fiber passthrough for one or more optical fibers, a cavity comprising an element hermetically encapsulated within the cavity, wherein the element is movably anchored by SiN arms, which are movable with respect to walls of the cavity, wherein the SiN arms comprise anchor portions at first ends of the SiN arms, which are connected to the element, and at second ends of the SiN arms, which are connected to the walls of the cavity, and the fiber interface is configured to receive the fibers through the fiber passthrough into positions for communications of light between the element and the fibers. In this way a robust structure that supports sensitivity of the sensor is provided.

Abstract: A waveguide structure and a method for splitting light is described. The method may include optically coupling a first waveguide and a second waveguide, where the optical coupling may be wavelength insensitive. The widths of the first and second waveguides may be non-adiabatically varying and the optical coupling may be asymmetric between the first and second waveguides. A gap between the first and second waveguides may also be varied non-adiabatically and the gap may depend on the widths of the first and second waveguides. The optical coupling between the first and second waveguides may also occur in the approximate wavelength range of 800 nanometers to 1700 nanometers.

Abstract: A modulator and method of fabrication thereof are provided. In various embodiments, the modulator is a Franz-Keldysh (FK) effect electro-absorption modulator. In an example embodiment, the modulator comprises a waveguide column formed from waveguide material deposited onto a substrate; a first contact layer doped with a P-type dopant and deposited on a first side of the waveguide column; a second contact layer doped with an N-type dopant and deposited on a second side of the waveguide column; and first and second contacts. The first contact is in electrical communication with the first contact layer and the second contact is in electrical communication with the second contact layer.

Abstract: In some examples, a mechanical transfer ferrule based optical switch may include an optical fiber tube unit connectable to an end of an optical fiber. The optical fiber tube unit may include a lens to transmit light through the optical fiber. An optical fiber tube unit positioning assembly may include an optical fiber tube unit support detachably connectable to the optical fiber tube unit, and an optical fiber tube unit guide to operatively position the optical fiber tube unit support relative to a multi-fiber connector. The optical fiber tube unit guide may align the optical fiber tube unit and the lens to a specified lens of the multi-fiber connector, and connect the optical fiber to a specified optical fiber channel.

Abstract: Aspects described herein include a method of fabricating an optical apparatus. The method comprises etching a plurality of trenches partly through a first optical waveguide formed in a first semiconductor layer, wherein a first ridge is formed in the first optical waveguide between adjacent trenches of the plurality of trenches. The method further comprises conformally depositing a spacer layer above the first optical waveguide, wherein spacers are formed on sidewalls of each trench of the plurality of trenches. The method further comprises etching through the spacer layer to expose a respective bottom of each trench, wherein, for each respective bottom, a width of the respective bottom is defined by the spacers formed on the sidewalls of the trench corresponding to the respective bottom. The method further comprises depositing a first dielectric layer above the first optical waveguide, wherein dielectric material extends to the respective bottom of each trench.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system with a large field-of-view (FOV) and low operating power includes an intensity modulator, a controller, and one or more camera sensors. The intensity modulator includes a modulating cell that is configured to receive an optical signal and change a polarization state of the optical signal, in response to an electrical signal received from the controller. The modulating cell includes a material that (i) has at least one of a first order electro-optic effect and a second order electro-optic effect and (ii) has an amount of birefringence that is less than or equal to a predefined amount of birefringence. The camera sensor(s) are configured to measure an intensity of the optical signal and determine range information of an object based on the measured intensity.

Abstract: Disclosed are coherent photonic circuit architectures that optically implement linear algebraic computations. In neuromorphic applications of such photonic circuit architectures, individual neural network layers can be implemented by coherent optical linear neurons in a crossbar configuration, integrated with electronic circuitry at the interfaces between neural network layers to determine the neuron inputs to one layer based on the neuron outputs of the preceding layer. Wavelength division multiplexing can be used to efficiently implement certain specific network models, optionally in conjunction with electro-optic switches to render a generic hardware configuration programmable.

Abstract: An apparatus that is a voltage-controlled splitting and/or switching apparatus comprising a waveguide for a radio frequency signal comprising at least one input and at least two outputs, wherein the waveguide is a cavity waveguide or a polymer microwave fiber waveguide, and the waveguide comprises at least a first branch and a second branch, at least one element comprising voltage reactive material in between electrodes and extending, at least partly, across at least one of the first branch and the second branch, and a voltage control caused to apply voltage to the at least one element.

Abstract: An optical switch has latched switch states and includes optical fibers that are laterally joined together to define an optical switching portion. At least one phase change material (PCM) layer is on the optical switching portion so that a phase of the PCM layer determines a latched switch state from among the latched switch states.

Abstract: Photonics structures including an optical component and methods of fabricating a photonics structure including an optical component. The photonics structure includes an optical component, a substrate having a cavity and a dielectric material in the cavity, and a dielectric layer positioned in a vertical direction between the optical component and the cavity. The optical component is positioned in a lateral direction to overlap with the cavity in the substrate.

Abstract: A serpentine delay-line waveguide feeding an array of grating couplers can be fabricated in a silicon photonic chip, or tile, with the grating couplers emitting light at an angle that varies with wavelength and delay between the couplers imparted by the waveguide. The beam-steering tile can be used to transmit or receive light from a scene. The tile can be arrayed with one or more other tiles for bistatic radar-lidar operation. A tile in the array may transmit probe and frequency-shifted reference beams, while another tile may receive a return at a heterodyne frequency giving a range to the scene. The pitch of the serpentine delay line may be different for transmitting and receiving tiles to suppress returns from unwanted directions. Pairs of phase-cohered tiles may illuminate a spot in the scene with fringe patterns, producing oscillating returns that can be processed to form a high-resolution sub-image by Fourier synthesis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for mode conversion. An apparatus that includes a substrate, a first waveguide, a second waveguide, a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) perturber, and a controller is provided. The first waveguide is formed on the substrate includes: (i) an input section, (ii) a bend section, and (iii) an output section. The second waveguide is also formed on the substrate and is disposed adjacent to a portion of the input section of the first waveguide. A portion of the second waveguide is separated from the input section of the first waveguide by a coupling gap. The perturber is disposed above the first waveguide and configured to move between a first position that is distal from a surface of the input section of the first waveguide and a second position that is closer to the surface of the input section of the first waveguide than the second position. The controller is configured to control a movement of the perturber between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device includes a substrate with first and second opposing major surfaces. A stacked semiconductor device structure is connected to the first major surface and includes a plurality of semiconductor die having terminals. Conductive interconnect structures electrically connect the terminals of the semiconductor dies together. The semiconductor dies are stacked together so that the terminals are exposed, and the stacked semiconductor device structure comprises a stepped profile. The conductive interconnect structures comprise a conformal layer that substantially follows the stepped profile.

Abstract: Low power and/or low footprint optical communication technologies that support short to medium range exoatmospheric communications and provide bidirectional communication with nearly spherical coverage.

Abstract: A light projection apparatus is provided comprising: a source of light; a switchable grating on a first substrate; and a diffractive optical element. Light is diffracted at least once by the switchable grating and is diffracted at least once by the DOE.

Abstract: A method for etching a curved substrate is provided, including: forming a conductive thin film layer with an etched pattern on the curved substrate; supplying power to the conductive thin film layer such that the conductive thin film layer has an equal potential at each position of the conductive thin film layer; etching each position of the curved substrate to an etching depth corresponding to the potential at each position of the conductive thin film layer based on the etched pattern of the conductive thin film layer, so as to obtain the curved substrate having a consistent etching depth at each position of the curved substrate. With the etching method, it is possible to etch an arbitrary curved surface to obtain a microstructure with a uniform processing depth.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a micromachined mirror assembly for controlling optical directions in an optical sensing system. The micromachined mirror assembly includes a micro mirror and at least one piezoelectric actuator. The micro mirror is suspended over a substrate by at least one beam mechanically coupled to the micro mirror, and the at least one piezoelectric actuator is mechanically coupled to the at least one beam and is configured to drive the micro mirror via the at least one beam. The at least one piezoelectric actuator is configured to drive the micro mirror to tilt along a first axis based on a first electrical signal received by the at least one piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: Light from an array of laser light sources are spread to cover the modulating face of a DMD or other modulator. The spread may be performed, for example, by a varying curvature array of lenslets, each laser light directed at one of the lenslets. Light from neighboring and/or nearby light sources overlap at a modulator. The lasers are energized at different energy/brightness levels causing the light illuminating the modulator to itself be modulated (locally dimmed). The modulator then further modulates the locally dimmed lights to produce a desired image. A projector according to the invention may utilize, for example, a single modulator sequentially illuminated or separate primary color modulators simultaneously illuminated.

Abstract: A photonic system includes a passive optical cavity and an optical waveguide. The passive optical cavity has a preferred radial mode for light propagation within the passive optical cavity. The preferred radial mode has a unique light propagation constant within the passive optical cavity. The optical waveguide is configured to extend past the passive optical cavity such that at least some light propagating through the optical waveguide will evanescently couple into the passive optical cavity. The passive optical cavity and the optical waveguide are collectively configured such that a light propagation constant of the optical waveguide substantially matches the unique light propagation constant of the preferred radial mode within the passive optical cavity.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a cladding layer and a first optical waveguide. The first optical waveguide is formed on the first cladding layer. An end surface of the first optical waveguide is inclined relative to a vertical line perpendicular to an upper surface of the cladding layer.

Abstract: The photoelectric signal conversion and transmission device includes a photoelectric signal module and a fiber joint, matched and coupled together. A circuit board of the photoelectric signal module includes one or more connection bases. Light emission elements, light reception elements, and amplifiers are configured on a first coupling face of the connection based, and electrically connected by first and second wires. The fiber joint includes a number of fibers axially aligned with the light emission and reception elements. By having the light emission and reception elements and amplifiers configured on a same coupling face, their physical connection distance is reduced, thereby decreasing signal attenuation, enhancing signal transmission performance, and facilitating structural miniaturization.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a plurality of separation walls, one or more optical waveguides, and one or more spacers. The first substrate has a surface which extends in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. The second substrate faces the first substrate. The plurality of separation walls are positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate and extend in the first direction. The one or more optical waveguides are positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate and include one or more dielectric members which are positioned between the plurality of separation walls and which extend in the first direction. The one or more spacers are directly or indirectly sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate and positioned around the one or more optical waveguides.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to displays. In one arrangement a plurality of pixels is provided in which each pixel comprises a phase change material thermally switchable between a plurality of stable states. Each pixel comprises a switching device configured to heat the phase change material, and thereby thermally switch the phase change material, in response to a control signal. The switching device comprises a single electronic component capable of being switched between different states by the control signal and configured such that heat received by the phase change material of the pixel during the thermal switching of the phase change material of the pixel consists predominantly of heat generated within the single electronic component.

Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) system, preferably including a substrate, one or more photonic connections, and a plurality of circuit blocks. The circuit blocks preferably include one or more waveguides that are optically coupled to the photonic connections, such as by transition features. A method of PIC fabrication, preferably including defining a PIC structure and defining circuit blocks. The circuit blocks are preferably defined onto one or more template regions defined by the PIC structure. Photonic connections are preferably defined as part of the PIC structure. Transition features, such as transitions between the photonic connections and the circuit blocks, are preferably defined concurrently with defining the circuit blocks.

Abstract: A plurality of electromagnetic radiation capture units are positioned under a focusing unit such as a dome, such that incoming electromagnetic radiation incident on the dome is deflected by it, to reach each of the capture units with a different timing and intensity. The profile for the timings and intensities can be determined for a given transmitter using a calibration signal, and the profile is then used to extra data from data signals transmitted by the transmitter.

Abstract: Examples include a device including a nanovoided polymer element having a first surface and a second surface, a first plurality of electrodes disposed on the first surface, a second plurality of electrodes disposed on the second surface, and a control circuit configured to apply an electrical potential between one or more of the first plurality of electrodes and one or more of the second plurality of electrodes to induce a physical deformation of the nanovoided polymer element.

Abstract: An optical product can reproduce a first 3D image of at least part of a first 3D object and a second 3D image of at least part of a second 3D object. The optical product comprises a surface configured, when illuminated, to reproduce by reflected or transmitted light, the first 3D image without reproducing the second 3D image at a first angle of view, and the second 3D image without reproducing the first 3D image at a second angle of view. Each portion of first portions can correspond to a point on a surface of the first 3D object, and comprise first non-holographic features configured to produce at least part of the first 3D image. Each portion of second portions can correspond to a point on a surface of the second 3D object, and comprise second non-holographic features configured to produce at least part of the second 3D image.

Abstract: A photon detecting component is provided. The photon detecting component includes a first waveguide and a detecting section. The detecting section includes a second waveguide; a detector, optically coupled with the second waveguide, configured to detect one or more photons in the second waveguide; an optical switch configured to provide an optical coupling between the first waveguide and the second waveguide when the detector is operational; and an electrical switch electrically coupled to the detector, wherein the electrical switch is configured to change state in response to the detector detecting one or more photons. The photon detecting component further includes readout circuitry configured to determine a state of the electrical switch of the detecting section.