A passively, Q-switched laser is described. The laser may operate at an eye-safe lasing wavelength of 1.34 microns and use a gain element of Nd:YVO.sub.4 and a saturable absorber element of V:YAG with a space separating the gain element and saturable absorber element. The Q-switched laser is pumped by a grating stabilized laser diode. The laser may be used in laser ranging applications.

A method of measuring a distance using a time of flight sensor comprising a substantially transparent cover covering a light emitter and one or more photodetectors. The method comprises emitting a series of pulses of light from the light emitter; and using the one or more photodetectors to obtain a distribution of times at which at least one photodetector of the one or more photodetectors detected photons after each emission of the series of pulses of light. If the distribution of times comprises only a single peak, the method further comprises analysing the single peak to determine if the single peak includes counts of photons reflected from a target. If the single peak includes counts of photons reflected from a target, the method further comprises measuring the separation between a reference time and a point of the single peak.

A method of measuring a distance using a time of flight sensor comprising a substantially transparent cover covering a light emitter and one or more photodetectors. The method comprises emitting a series of pulses of light from the light emitter; and using the one or more photodetectors to obtain a distribution of times at which at least one photodetector of the one or more photodetectors detected photons after each emission of the series of pulses of light. If the distribution of times comprises only a single peak, the method further comprises analysing the single peak to determine if the single peak includes counts of photons reflected from a target. If the single peak includes counts of photons reflected from a target, the method further comprises measuring the separation between a reference time and a point of the single peak.

To provide a light-emitting apparatus capable of suitably controlling light emitted from a light-emitting element. A light-emitting apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a substrate; a plurality of light-emitting elements which are provided on a side of a first surface of the substrate; and an optical element which is provided on a side of a second surface of the substrate and into which light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements is incident, wherein the optical element includes a liquid crystal layer which is configured to function as a lens.

To provide a light-emitting apparatus capable of suitably controlling light emitted from a light-emitting element. A light-emitting apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a substrate; a plurality of light-emitting elements which are provided on a side of a first surface of the substrate; and an optical element which is provided on a side of a second surface of the substrate and into which light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements is incident, wherein the optical element includes a liquid crystal layer which is configured to function as a lens.

The present invention relates to the field of radar detection. Provided are a detection method and a detection apparatus. The method comprises: emitting a first waveform signal to a target to undergo detection, and receiving a second waveform signal reflected by the target on the basis of the first waveform signal, the second waveform signal carrying spatial modulation information; generating, on the basis of the second waveform signal, a detection signal corresponding to the spatial modulation information, and obtaining a signal flight time carried on the detection signal; and determining distance data of the target on the basis of multiple pieces of the spatial modulation information and signal flight times corresponding thereto.

The present invention relates to the field of radar detection. Provided are a detection method and a detection apparatus. The method comprises: emitting a first waveform signal to a target to undergo detection, and receiving a second waveform signal reflected by the target on the basis of the first waveform signal, the second waveform signal carrying spatial modulation information; generating, on the basis of the second waveform signal, a detection signal corresponding to the spatial modulation information, and obtaining a signal flight time carried on the detection signal; and determining distance data of the target on the basis of multiple pieces of the spatial modulation information and signal flight times corresponding thereto.

A method for analyzing backscatter histogram data in an optical pulse runtime method, including the steps of receiving backscatter histogram data; and analyzing the received backscatter histogram data.

In a ranging image sensor, each pixel includes an avalanche multiplication region, a charge distribution region, a pair of first charge transfer regions, a pair of second charge transfer regions, a well region, a photogate electrode, a pair of first transfer gate electrodes, and a pair of second transfer gate electrodes. The first multiplication region of the avalanche multiplication region is formed so as to overlap the charge distribution region and so as not to overlap the well region in the Z direction. The second multiplication region of the avalanche multiplication region is formed so as to overlap the charge distribution region and the well region in the Z direction.

Provided are a light receiving device, a light receiving circuit, and a distance measuring device capable of minimizing dead time.

A light receiving device according to the present disclosure may include: a light receiving circuit including a light receiving element; a power supply circuit configured to supply a power supply potential to the light receiving circuit; and a control circuit configured to control the power supply potential supplied by the power supply circuit on the basis of a signal output from the light receiving circuit in a reaction with a photon.