Abstract:
A method and system for detecting and monitoring a temporal and spatial distribution of a light beam are provided. A semiconductor substrate (120) having a given doping concentration range is partially exposed to an incident laser beam (150). Each part of the semiconductor structure (120) which is exposed to the laser beam is provided with an electrical contact (145), which outputs a voltage which is directly related to the optical power or energy incident on the exposed area. The thermo-voltage is produced by the laser induced thermal gradients. The sensitivity and inter-pixel cross-talk is determined by pixel pitch, doping concentration and window opening (110). Depending of the design, each pixel might be sensitive to the temporal variation of the laser beam.
Abstract:
An optical signal processor having a monolithic prism supporting one or more channels, and constructed from a first glass block joined to a second glass block at a beam splitter interface. The monolithic prism has thin film beam splitters and filters (such as I and Q filters) either deposited directly on the prism or attached to it. The beam splitter interface, and the thin film beam splitters and filters are arranged relative to each other so that a portion of the return-ranging collimated encoded beam from an external optical sensor is reflected to all the filters. And detectors are connected over the filters to detect particular components of the collimated encoded beam which are passed through the respective filters.
Abstract:
A matched pair of tilted gratings may be formed in a section of optical fiber (or waveguide) and used as a “tap” to measure the power of an optical signal passing through the fiber. By using a pair of highly-tilted gratings (e.g., tilted at an angle of 45° with respect to the optical axis) and orienting the gratings to be orthogonal with respect to one another (i.e., azimuthal orthogonality around the fiber axis), a pair of orthogonally polarized beams will be out-coupled from the propagating signal. Since the pair of beams are orthogonal, their sum can be made insensitive to variations in polarization of the optical signal propagating along the fiber.
Abstract:
A photodetector of the invention is characterized by having a plurality of detector elements that are arranged over a light-transparent substrate and are connected in parallel. A foldable portable communication tool having two display portions of the invention is characterized by including one photodetector which includes a plurality of detector elements connected in parallel.
Abstract:
A single photon detector includes a superconductor strip biased near its critical current. The superconductor strip provides a discernible output signal upon absorption of a single incident photon. In one example, the superconductor is a strip of NbN (niobium nitride). In another example, the superconductor strip meanders to increase its probability of receiving a photon from a light source. The single-photon detector is suitable for a variety of applications including free-space and satellite communications, quantum communications, quantum cryptography, weak luminescence, and semiconductor device testing.
Abstract:
An insolation sensor for detecting a substantial insolation direction from the sun including a light shading film an aperture defined therein and provided on one of the surfaces of a glass substrate. A position detection element having a photoelectric conversion film made of a semiconductor is formed on the other surface. The rays of light from the sun are incident as a spot beam H onto the position detection element through the aperture. The position detection element detects a center of the intensity of photocurrent at the beam receiving portion. Therefore, even when the intensity of each of the direct rays and scattered rays from the sun change on the ground depending on the weather conditions, the center position of the distribution of the insolation intensity can be detected in accordance with the weather conditions, and a substantial insolation direction can be detected.
Abstract:
A composite type light sensor compriser of a sensor portion molded into a light-transmitting resin together with light receiving elements and a case portion mounted with light receiving means such as a lens for receiving the sensor portion.
Abstract:
A photometer sphere includes a spherical interior encompassed by a diffusely reflecting wall, provided with apertures for incident light as well as for applying samples and photo detectors in the diffusely reflecting wall. The interior is filled completely by an optically homogenous, clear and stray-free material.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a receiver for an optical radar utilizing a two-dimensional array of microlens image dissectors which completely fills an area of an image plane. Each microlens is directly coupled to a mixer-detector element. The array is adapted to be illuminated with returned focus radiation from a remote reflecting target and with a planar wave of optical energy from a local oscillator. The output signals of the mixerdetectors are analyzed and utilized to orientate the array such that the maximum amplitude output signal corresponds to the central microlens of the array.
Abstract:
Five embodiments of slot sensors for stabilizing the position of a satellite in space are disclosed. All embodiments comprise a glass body having a refractive circumferential surface of 180* angular aperture. In the image plane of the refractive surface is disposed a slot diaphragm, the slot of which is arranged to coincide with the center plane of said glass body. Behind the slot diaphragm there is provided a photoelectric receiver which is sensitive to the electromagnetic rays which are incident on the sensor. In the different embodiments the slot diaphragms are shown to be positioned either in front of or behind the center of rotation of the toric glass body (in the direction of light travel) depending on the radius of the toric shape and on the refractive index of the glass.