According to various embodiments, a solid-state light detection and ranging (LiDAR) transmitter includes a tunable optical metasurface to selectively steer incident optical radiation long an azimuth axis. In some embodiments, different subsets of lasers in an array of lasers are activated to generate optical radiation for incidence on the metasurface at different angles of incidence on an elevation axis for unsteered deflection by the metasurface at corresponding angles of elevation. In some embodiments, a prism is positioned relative to the tunable optical metasurface to deflect the optical radiation from the optical assembly by the optical radiation source for incidence on the metasurface at an angle of incidence that is between the first steering angle and the second steering angle, such that the optical radiation incident on the metasurface and the steered output optical radiation from the metasurface spatially overlap within the prism.

An optical sensing apparatus is provided. A bias-voltage generating circuit provides a first bias voltage and a second bias voltage to a photo-sensing diode when the optical sensing apparatus is respectively in a first mode and a second mode, such that the photo-sensing diode provides a time-of-flight ranging signal in the first mode and an ambient-light sensing signal in the second mode. A quenching circuit provides the time-of-flight ranging signal to a ranging signal processing circuit in the first mode, quenches the photo-sensing diode, and provides the ambient-light sensing signal to a light-sensing signal processing circuit in the second mode.

An optical sensing apparatus is provided. A bias-voltage generating circuit provides a first bias voltage and a second bias voltage to a photo-sensing diode when the optical sensing apparatus is respectively in a first mode and a second mode, such that the photo-sensing diode provides a time-of-flight ranging signal in the first mode and an ambient-light sensing signal in the second mode. A quenching circuit provides the time-of-flight ranging signal to a ranging signal processing circuit in the first mode, quenches the photo-sensing diode, and provides the ambient-light sensing signal to a light-sensing signal processing circuit in the second mode.

Single-photon detector apparatus comprising a large core optical fiber with a core diameter larger than 8 .Math.m, a small core optical fiber with a core diameter smaller or equal to 5 .Math.m, a taper between the large core optical fiber and the small core optical fiber, a superconducting nanowire having a surface area configured to receive all photons emitted from the small core optical fiber and cost effective and high yield method for manufacturing such.

Single-photon detector apparatus comprising a large core optical fiber with a core diameter larger than 8 .Math.m, a small core optical fiber with a core diameter smaller or equal to 5 .Math.m, a taper between the large core optical fiber and the small core optical fiber, a superconducting nanowire having a surface area configured to receive all photons emitted from the small core optical fiber and cost effective and high yield method for manufacturing such.

There is provided a photodetection circuit capable of improving distance measuring performance.

The photodetection circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an avalanche photodiode; a charging circuit that supplies a voltage to the avalanche photodiode; an input amplifier including a comparison circuit in which a voltage level of an output terminal changes according to a comparison result between a voltage of an input terminal connected to the avalanche photodiode and a reference voltage, and a voltage control circuit that changes a potential of the reference voltage; and a state detecting circuit that sets timing for causing the voltage control circuit to change the potential of the reference voltage on the basis of a detection result of the voltage level.

There is provided a photodetection circuit capable of improving distance measuring performance.

The photodetection circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an avalanche photodiode; a charging circuit that supplies a voltage to the avalanche photodiode; an input amplifier including a comparison circuit in which a voltage level of an output terminal changes according to a comparison result between a voltage of an input terminal connected to the avalanche photodiode and a reference voltage, and a voltage control circuit that changes a potential of the reference voltage; and a state detecting circuit that sets timing for causing the voltage control circuit to change the potential of the reference voltage on the basis of a detection result of the voltage level.

A sensing device includes a flexible substrate, a reflective layer, a planarization layer, plural switching elements and plural sensing elements. The flexible substrate has plural recesses on a surface. The reflective layer is located on the flexible substrate and conforms to an inner surface of the plural recesses. The planarization layer is disposed on the reflective layer. The plural switching elements are disposed on the planarization layer. The plural sensing elements are disposed on the planarization layer and electrically connected to the plural switching elements respectively. A method for fabricating a sensing device is also provided.

A sensing device includes a flexible substrate, a reflective layer, a planarization layer, plural switching elements and plural sensing elements. The flexible substrate has plural recesses on a surface. The reflective layer is located on the flexible substrate and conforms to an inner surface of the plural recesses. The planarization layer is disposed on the reflective layer. The plural switching elements are disposed on the planarization layer. The plural sensing elements are disposed on the planarization layer and electrically connected to the plural switching elements respectively. A method for fabricating a sensing device is also provided.

Connectors for a networking device may be provided. A networking device may comprise a first plurality of switch bars each comprising a first switch type arranged parallel to one another, a second plurality of switch bars each comprising a second switch type arranged parallel to one another, and a third plurality of switch bars each comprising a third switch type arranged parallel to one another. The first plurality of switch bars, the second plurality of switch bars, and the third plurality of switch bars may be arranged orthogonally. A first one of the first plurality of switch bars may be connected to a first one of the second plurality of switch bars via a retractable mechanical connector mechanism.