Patent classifications
G01J1/0448
Detector device with improved signal-to-noise ratio comprising a detector in a housing moveable against a force of a spring device
A detector device is designed to capture light and to generate electrical signals. The detector device includes a housing and a detector disposed in the housing so as to be moveable at least partially in the housing and with respect to the housing. The detector device is useable in a detection system and/or in a microscope.
Power contacts for a light sensor assembly
A light sensor assembly includes a sensor connector having a housing including a top and a bottom with power contact channels in the bottom of the housing. The sensor connector includes a circuit board supported by the housing at the top having a sensor component electrically connected to the circuit board sensing an environmental characteristic exterior of the sensor connector. The sensor connector includes power contacts received in corresponding contact channels and extending from the bottom for electrical connection with receptacle power contacts of the receptacle connector. The power contacts include a neutral power contact, a line power contact and a load power contact, where the line power contact and the load power contact are integral as a unitary contact body forming a monolithic line-load power contact.
Systems and methods for weighted combination of quadrant photodetector output for beam tracking
The disclosed system may include (1) an optical element that receives an optical beam, (2) a wide field-of-view (FOV) quadrant photodetector that receives, from the optical element, first light originating from the optical beam, (3) a narrow FOV quadrant photodetector that receives, from the optical element, second light originating from the optical beam, and (4) a controller that controls an orientation of the optical element during at least a period of time based on a weighted combination of (a) output of the wide FOV quadrant photodetector in response to the first light, and (b) output of the narrow FOV quadrant photodetector in response to the second light. Various other systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING A LASER
A laser detector apparatus (1) is provided, where a pixel array (3) is arranged behind a lens arrangement (4) such that distant objects (9) (in general, those at infinity) are out of focus at the pixel array. The image from the pixel array is evaluated by a computer processor (6) to detect such out of focus images which will be of a known size and shape (generally circular spots of known width). This can enable distant laser threats to be readily distinguished from nearby bright objects (10), whilst also protecting the pixel array from powerful laser sources (because the laser energy is not focussed to a point, on the pixel array it is less likely to damage the pixel array). It can also enable the wavelength of the laser to be accurately determined from the ratio of colours in the image of the laser spot, because it will typically not be a saturated image. The apparatus and method are particularly suitable for identifying and distinguishing laser sources across a wide range of brightnesses, and is also suitable for detecting and distinguishing multiple laser sources.
Limitation of Noise on Light Detectors using an Aperture
The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example embodiment includes a system. The system includes a lens disposed relative to a scene and configured to focus light from the scene onto a focal plane. The system also includes an aperture defined within an opaque material disposed at the focal plane of the lens. The aperture has a cross-sectional area. In addition, the system includes an array of light detectors disposed on a side of the focal plane opposite the lens and configured to intercept and detect diverging light focused by the lens and transmitted through the aperture. A cross-sectional area of the array of light detectors that intercepts the diverging light is greater than the cross-sectional area of the aperture.
Self-clocked low noise photoreceiver (SCLNP)
A photoreceiver device includes a light detector connected between a power supply node and a first node, and first to third switching elements. The light detector is configured to detect an incident optical data signal, and to output photocurrent corresponding to a magnitude of the optical data signal through the first node. The first switching element is connected between the first node and a ground node. The second switching element is connected between the power supply node and a second node. The third switching element is connected between the second node and the ground node. The third switching element has a control node connected to the first node.
TERMINAL-IMAGING SEEKER USING A SPATIAL LIGHT MODULATOR BASED CODED-APERTURE MASK
Apparatus and associated methods relate to creating corrected images of a scene for a terminal-imaging seeker using an electrically-controllable coded-aperture mask pattern embodied in a programmable spatial light modulator. The coded-aperture mask pattern includes a plurality of pinhole-like apertures, each of which is configured to perform pinhole-like lensing of the scene. The plurality of pinhole-like apertures form a multiplex of overlapping images on a focal plane array aligned with the optical axis. An image processor reconstructs, based on a configuration of the plurality of pinhole-like apertures and the multiplex of overlapping images, a single image of the scene.
IMAGING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SPECIFYING UV EMISSION LOCATION USING SAME
An imaging system includes: an image sensor sensitive to ultraviolet light and visible light; a lens configured to focus light from a subject onto the image sensor; and an image processor configured to process image signals output from the image sensor. The image processor obtains the difference between image signals A1 and A2 output from the image sensor at times t1 and t2, respectively. If the differential signal A3 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the image processor determines that light from the subject contains the ultraviolet light, and generates an image signal CI based on the differential signal A3.
Infrared imaging device and method of updating fixed pattern noise data
A noise data update processing unit calculates the amount of a fixed pattern noise component on the basis of a detection signal of infrared rays detected by an infrared detector in a state where an optical system is controlled to be in a non-focused state, and updates an FPN data storage unit with the calculated amount of the FPN component. The noise data update processing unit calculates an average value of detection signals of each detector element and a plurality of peripheral detector elements, and calculates a signal component dependent on incident infrared rays included in the detection signal of each detector element by subtracting an average value of fixed pattern noise data before update from the calculated average value. The amount of the fixed pattern noise component is calculated by subtracting the calculated signal component from the detection signal of each detector element.
Speckle reduction method and apparatus
An apparatus adapted for confocal imaging of a non-flat specimen comprising a coherent light source for producing a light beam, imaging optics adapted to focus the light beam into at least one spot on a surface of a specimen, and a detector adapted to receive and detect light reflected from the specimen surface. The imaging optics comprise at least one optical component located so that the light reflected from the specimen surface passes therethrough on its way to the detector. The optical component is movable so as to move the at least one spot, within a range of movement, to a number of distinct locations in a plane perpendicular to the apparatus' optical axis, within the detector's integration time.