Abstract: In a semiconductor laser diode, a mount portion is erected on a support member and a semiconductor laser diode chip is mounted on the mount portion. A window is formed on a cap, and a laser beam generated by the semiconductor laser diode chip is emitted through the window to an outside. An optical thin film layer and a photocatalyst layer are formed on an end face of a resonator at a light output side of the semiconductor laser diode chip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochromic element for use in various types of displays and dimming devices, and having a structure comprising bases, a pair of electrodes provided on the bases, at least one of the electrodes being a transparent electrode, color-forming layers provided between the pair of electrodes, and electrolyte superposed with the color-forming layers, and also provided between the pair of electrodes, and a light stabilizer made to be contained in the color-forming layers by being contained in the electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrochromic element including a pair of electrochromic bases is provided. Each electrochromic base is defined by a substrate, an electrode layer disposed on the substrate, and a color-forming layer disposed on the electrode layer. The electrochromic bases are superposed such that their respective color-forming layers face each other. A solid electrolyte of ultraviolet-setting type is disposed between the color-forming layers of the electrochromic bases. The method of manufacturing the electrochromic element and the method of driving the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing planar dimmer comprising a transparent base, a dimming part, capable of dimming, disposed on the base, the dimming part comprising a first electrode layer formed on the base, a second electrode layer set facing the first electrode layer, a coloring part, disposed between the two electrode layers, and colors or discolors in response to the stimulus from the two electrode layers, and a conducting part disposed between the base and the first electrode layer in such a way as to be in contact with the first electrode layer in order to apply a uniform voltage throughout the first electrode layer.The process includes forming paint stripes, electrolessly plating a metal film over each of the stripes, forming an electrode layer over the metallized stripes, and forming a color-forming layer over the electrode layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a planar electrochromic dimmer used in dimming devices such as car sun roofs, and others having a structure comprising; a pair of bases, each comprising a transparent electrode film provided on each of a pair of bases, and arranged such that both transparent electrode films are facing each other, an electrolyte provided between the two electrode-equipped bases, a color-forming layer provided on at least one of the electrode-equipped bases, and a thin film with a visible ray transmittivity of 20-60% provided on at least one of the bases or the transaprent electrode films.

Abstract: A planar dimmer comprising a transparent base, a dimming part, capable of dimming, disposed on the base, the dimming part comprising a first electrode layer formed on the base, a second electrode layer set facing the first electrode layer, a coloring part disposed between the two electrode layers, and colors or discolors in response to the stimulus from the two electrode layers, and a conducting part disposed between the base and the first electrode layer in such a way as to be in contact with the first electrode layer in order to apply a uniform voltage throughout the first electrode layer.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a window having a dimming function. This dimming window comprises: a transparent plate having a generally rectangular shape; a plurality of solid electrochromic elements extending in the longitudinal direction of a pair of opposed sides of the transparent plate; and a controller for controlling the electrochromic elements independently of one another.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrochromic element in which an oxidative color-forming layer is composed of an organic material and a reductive color-forming layer is composed of an inorganic material. The electrochromic element comprises a pair of electrodes, at least one of which is transparent, the oxidative color-forming layer composed of organic materials such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, etc. and the reductive color-forming layer composed of inorganic materials such as WO.sub.3, MoO.sub.3, TiO.sub.2, etc. formed between the pair of electrodes to face to each other, and an electrolytic solution or a solid or semi-solid electrolyte layer sealed between the both color-forming layers.

Abstract: The solid electrochromic element of this invention is to be used for various types of dimmers and displays, and comprises a pair of electrode layers, an oxidation color-developing layer, an ion-donating layer and a reduction color-developing layer laminated one upon another on a substrate. In the manufacture of this type of electrochromic element, the pair of electrode layers and the ion-donating layer are formed by the ion plating technique.The dimmers of this invention for automotive sun roof, side-watching window and glare-free mirror each contains an electrochromic element manufactured by the process mentioned above. The light transmittance of the sun roof and side-watching window, as well as the intensity of reflecting light at the glare-free mirror, are appropriately controlled according to the conditions of their use by application of a variable voltage across the two electrode layers of the electrochromic element.