Patent ID: 8080821

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: an array of thyristor devices each including complementary first-type and second-type modulation doped quantum well interfaces that are formed on a common substrate and that are spaced apart from one another, wherein each given thyristor device is adapted to operate in each of the following modes: i) a setup mode whereby charge is emptied from said first-type and second-type modulation doped quantum well interfaces for said given thyristor device; and ii) a signal acquisition mode whereby electromagnetic radiation within a predetermined wavelength is absorbed by said given thyristor device over a time period producing photocurrents that selectively switch said given thyristor device from an OFF state to an ON state in accordance with power of the electromagnetic radiation within the predetermined wavelength range that is received at said given thyristor device; a mask that blocks incident radiation within a spectral range of interest, said mask including multiple apertures positioned above the thyristor devices; a plurality of transmission gates connected to the thyristor devices for selectively transmitting output signals generated by the thyristor devices; and decode logic, operably coupled to the plurality of transmission gates via a plurality of signal paths therebetween, for detecting angle of incidence of an incoming incident radiation based on the output of the thyristor devices supplied via the plurality of transmission gates.