A solid-state image pickup device 1 according to the present invention includes a semiconductor substrate 2 on which a pixel 20 composed of a photodiode 3 and a transistor is formed. The transistor comprising the pixel 20 is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a pn junction portion formed between high concentration regions of the photodiode 3 is provided within the semiconductor substrate 2 and a part of the pn junction portion of the photodiode 3 is extended to a lower portion of the transistor formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate 2. According to the present invention, there is provided a solid-state image pickup device in which a pixel size can be microminiaturized without lowering a saturated electric charge amount (Qs) and sensitivity.

A distance measurement device with high detection accuracy. The distance measurement device includes a photosensor including a light-receiving element, a first transistor, and a second transistor; a wiring; a signal line; and a power supply line. The wiring is electrically connected to one electrode of the light-receiving element. The signal line is electrically connected to a gate electrode of the first transistor. The power supply line is electrically connected to one of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the second transistor. One of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the first transistor is electrically connected to a gate electrode of the second transistor. The other of the source electrode and the drain electrode of the first transistor is electrically connected to the other electrode of the light-receiving element and the other of the source electrode and the drain electrode of the second transistor.

Various implementations described herein are directed to determining an order or locations of power devices connected in a serial string to a central power device. The order or locations may be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium.

Light detection devices and related methods are provided. The devices may comprise a reaction structure for containing a reaction solution with a relatively high or low pH and a plurality of reaction sites that generate light emissions. The devices may comprise a device base comprising a plurality of light sensors, device circuitry coupled to the light sensors, and a plurality of light guides that block excitation light but permit the light emissions to pass to a light sensor. The device base may also include a shield layer extending about each light guide between each light guide and the device circuitry, and a protection layer that is chemically inert with respect to the reaction solution extending about each light guide between each light guide and the shield layer. The protection layer prevents reaction solution that passes through the reaction structure and the light guide from interacting with the device circuitry.

A layer, sheet or film containing one or more flake-form effect pigments and one or more light scattering centers, methods for its preparation, its use for any type of device collecting solar cell energy, including but not limited to coloring solar cells or solar cell modules, and devices collecting solar cell energy, including but not limited to colored solar cells or colored solar cell modules, comprising such a layer, sheet or film, and methods for their preparation.

In an embodiment a method for producing a component having a carrier and at least one component part electrically conductively connected to the carrier and mechanically fixed to the carrier by an electrically insulating bonding layer includes providing the carrier having a connection layer, wherein the bonding layer is disposed on the carrier and has at least one opening, wherein a connection surface of the connection layer is exposed, and wherein the bonding layer projects vertically beyond the exposed connection surface or vice versa, applying the component part having a contact layer on the carrier in such that, in top view of the carrier, an exposed contact surface of the contact layer covers the opening and the connection surface located therein, wherein the exposed contact surface is spaced apart from the exposed connection surface by a vertical distance and reducing the vertical distance by changing a volume of the bonding layer such that the exposed contact surface and the exposed connection surface are brought together, such that they are directly adjacent to each other and such that a direct electrical contact is formed between the contact layer and the connection layer.

A solar cell comprising a semiconductor substrate, first semiconductor layers, second semiconductor layers, a band-like first base electrode stacked on the first semiconductor layer, a band-like second base electrode stacked on the second semiconductor layer, a first electrode insulation stacked on the first base electrodes, a second electrode insulation stacked on the second base electrodes, an intermediate insulation stacked on a region of the first semiconductor layer in which the first base electrode is not stacked, and a region of the second semiconductor layer in which the second base electrode is not stacked, a first current collector stacked to span the second electrode insulation and the intermediate insulation, and a second current collector stacked to span the first electrode insulation and the intermediate insulation.

A direct current (DC) power combiner operable to interconnect multiple interconnected photovoltaic strings is disclosed. The DC power combiner may include a device adapted for disconnecting at least one photovoltaic string from the multiple interconnected photovoltaic strings, each photovoltaic string connectible by a first and second DC power line. The device may include a differential current sensor adapted to measure differential current by comparing respective currents in the first and second DC power lines. A first switch is connected in series with the first DC power line. A control module is operatively attached to the differential current sensor and the first switch. The control module may be operable to open the first switch when the differential current sensor measures the differential current to be greater than a maximum allowed current differential, thereby disconnecting the photovoltaic string from the interconnected photovoltaic strings.

In a light detection device, switches are connected in parallel to each other. Each of the switches is connected to an APD. A read line electrically connects the switch and a signal processor to each other. The switch is configured such that a second terminal is connected to the read line and a voltage greater than or equal to a breakdown voltage is applied to the APD in a conductive state. The switch is configured such that the second terminal is not connected to the read line and a voltage greater than or equal to a breakdown voltage is applied to the APD in the conductive state. The switch is configured such that the second terminal is not connected to the read line and a voltage less than a breakdown voltage is applied to the APD in the conductive state.

An electrical power converter can include a plurality of layers disposed on a substrate. An emitter, including a first semiconductor junction that is formed at an interface between a first pair of adjacent layers, can produce light in response to a first electrical signal. An absorber, including a second semiconductor junction that is formed at an interface between a second pair of adjacent layers, can absorb at least some of the light. Circuitry can produce a second electrical signal in response to the absorbed light. The second electrical signal can be substantially proportional to the first electrical signal and can be electrically isolated from the first electrical signal. Because the light can remain within the layers during use, the electrical power converter can have a higher efficiency than a comparable device that propagates the light through at least one interface between air and a semiconductor material.