Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a photovoltaic element, in which a p-type semiconductor layer is formed in a device for forming a semiconductor thin film having a cathod electrode structure, in which in a plasma discharge space, the surface area of a cathod electrode in a plasma discharge space is larger than the sum of surface areas of a belt-like member and an anode electrode, a potential of said cathod electrode at the time of excitation of glow discharge is positive relative to the belt-like member and the anode electrode, and a separator electrode partially constituting the cathod electrode is configured to have a form of a fin or a block, and an n-type semiconductor layer is formed in a device for forming a semiconductor thin film having a cathod electrode structure of a capacitive-coupling, parallel-plate type.

Abstract: An information recording medium including a substrate, a recording layer, a protective layer, a print layer on the protective layer, and a barrier layer located intermediate the print layer and the recording layer.

Abstract: A color image processing method and apparatus includes inputting a color image signal having at least two components, discriminating whether both of the two components meet respective predetermined conditions, and designating one of the two components to be more important than the other component for discrimination.