Abstract: A developing device including a developing roller facing an image bearing member and a toner layer thickness control member to control an amount of a toner adhered to the developing roller, so that an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member is developed with the toner to form a toner image. The following relationships are satisfied: 0.08×100.3×Dv<Ra<0.18×100.3×Dv, 2.0<(Ra/RSm)×100<4.0, and 8<Rz<15, where Dv (?m) is a volume average particle diameter of the toner, Ra (?m) is an arithmetical mean roughness of the developing roller in a longitudinal direction, Rz (?m) is a ten-point mean roughness of the developing roller in a longitudinal direction, and RSm (?m) is a mean length of roughness curve elements of the developing roller.

Abstract: An optical fiber device converts an input optical pulse having a predetermined center wavelength into an optical pulse having a wavelength bandwidth broader than that of the input optical pulse. The optical fiber device includes a plurality of optical fibers connected in a cascaded manner each having negative wavelength dispersion at the center wavelength. The optical fibers have different relative refractive index differences between a core region and a cladding region from each other. The optical fibers are connected such that wavelength dispersions of adjacent optical fibers at the center wavelength are different from each other.

Abstract: A polishing composition comprising the following components:(a) an abrasive,(b) an oxidizing agent capable of oxidizing tantalum,(c) a reducing agent capable of reducing tantalum oxide, and(d) water.

Abstract: A mold positioning apparatus which is used in a pressing apparatus for pressing a work by a plunger and a bottom mold, comprising keys and key guides which are provided on a plunger and a bottom mold, and which are engaged together to restrict a relative position between the plunger and the bottom mold; means for shaking at least one of the plunger and the bottom mold in clearance between the key and the key guide while keeping the key and the key guide in engagement; means for measuring a movable range of the at least one of the plunger and the bottom mold during the shaking; a device for calculating a relative position between the key and the key guide and the relative position between the plunger and the bottom mold based on the measured movable range; and means for adjusting the plunger and the bottom mold in a range of the clearance of the key and the key guide based on the calculation to carry out positioning therebetween.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoconductor includes an electroconductive support and a photoconductive layer formed thereon containing a diamine compound represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 each is independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or aryl group; R.sup.4 is hydrogen, an alkyl group or an alkoxyl group; n is an integer of 1 to 3; and ##STR2## is a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent arylene group or a bivalent heterocyclic group. This diamine compound is useful as a photoconductive material for electrophotographic photoconductors.

Abstract: A mounting surface of an electrode for mounting an object to be processed thereon is projected to be a curved surface identical to a curved surface obtained by deforming the object to be processed by a uniform load, and etching of the object to be processed is performed. Etching of the object to be processed can be easily and stably performed, thereby improving yield and productivity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of manufacturing a photosensitive member including an electrically conductive support and a photoconductive layer formed on said support for use in electrophotography is characterized by including the steps of introducing a reacting gas containing predetermined components for forming said photoconductive layer on said support into said reaction chamber and irradiating ultraviolet light to activate said predetermined components while maintaining said support at a predetermined temperature thereby causing said predetermined components to be deposited onto said support.