Abstract: A method for forming a PZT strong dielectric film by the sol-gel technique, in which the thickness of the film is substantially no greater than 1000 .ANG.. In another aspect, the drying temperature of the raw material sol-gel solution for forming the PZT dielectric film is maintained within the range of 130.degree.-200.degree. C., and is particularly set lower than the boiling point of the stabilizer contained in the sol-gel raw material and higher than the boiling point of the solvent contained in the sol-gel raw material. As a result of performing the oxidative sintering treatment at a temperature at which perovskite crystals form, it becomes possible to readily form thin films exhibiting a (100) crystal orientation in particular. Additionally, completely crack-free thick films can be formed.

Abstract: A developing device capable of obviating the cohesion of toner and reducing the amount of dead toner is disclosed. The device has a developing unit accommodating a first and a second screw therein. The first and second screws extend from the toner hopper to the other longitudinal end of the developing unit in parallel to a developing roller and a supply roller. The first screw feeds toner from a toner hopper to a developing section. The second screw collects toner not contributed to development from the developing section and returns it to the first screw for recirculation. In this configuration, the collected toner and dead toner aggregating in the lower portion of the developing unit are forcibly moved to the developing section. The direction in which the screw portion of the second screw is inclined may be partly reversed to form a reverse transfer portion. Alternatively, a part of a casing adjoining the hopper may be implemented as a slant.

Abstract: A capacitor, electrode, or wiring structure having an alpha ray emitting source (in particular, a Pt electrode), and an alpha ray shielding layer 18, having at least one type selected from the group of simple metals of nickel, cobalt, copper, and tungsten, their compounds or alloys made of at least two types of these simple metals, and compounds and alloys made of these simple metals and silicon is provided. It is possible to shield off the alpha ray effectively, to suppress generation of soft errors, to enable the use of Pt and other new materials in making the electrodes and wiring, and to reduce the cost of the mold resin.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a rotary developing device effects development by revolving a plurality of developing sections around a rotary shaft until any one of them reaches a developing position where it faces an image carrier. Cartridges are respectively mounted to hoppers included in the developing sections. Guides are provided on the inner periphery of each cartridge in order to guide toner, moving due to the revolution or the developing device, toward a toner outlet formed in the cartridge. Even when the amount of toner remaining in the cartridge is small, the entire toner is replenished into the associated hopper and fully consumed.

Abstract: A capacitor and electrode structure comprising a PZT ferroelectric layer 17 with a primary component (Pb) and secondary component (Ti), a lower electrode layer 16 formed on the underside of the ferroelectric layer and made up of a special element (Pt) and Ti, and compounds thereof, and a diffusion barrier layer 18 which is formed on the underside of the lower electrode layer and which functions as a diffusion barrier with respect to Pb. The capacitor and the electrode structure, which may be a component of a semiconductor memory device, suppress fluctuations in the composition of the ferroelectric layer in PZT, etc., so as to maintain the intended performance of the PZT ferroelectric layer, thereby simplifying and stabilizing film fabrication, and preventing the degradation of electrical characteristics and adverse effects on lower layers.

Abstract: An image forming method and an apparatus therefor applicable to a color copier. A signal value representative of a reflection and appearing when the output of a photosensor is minimum in response to a change in the amount of toner deposition on a photoconductive element is detected. This maintains the density of a predetermined reference pattern used to sense an image density constant despite the change in, for example, the reflection characteristic of the photoconductive element. A bias for development is so changed as to maintain the output of the photosensor constant, so that the effective bias remains constant relative to the charge potential on the photoconductive element.

Abstract: A developing device for an image forming apparatus and using a one component type developer. The developer is transferred from a developer supply member to a developer carrier which are so rotated as to move in the same direction at a position where they contact each other. This prevents the developer from a toner storing section from directly reaching part of the developer carrier having moved away from the contact position despite the movement of the developer supply member. Conductive portions connected to ground and dielectric portions each having a small area are distributed regularly or irregularly on the surface of the developer carrier. Such a surface of the developer carrier is charged by friction by the developer supply member with the result that a great number of microfields are formed in the vicinity of the developer carrier. The microfields allow only the developer sufficiently charged by friction at the contact position to form multiple layers on the surface of the developer carrier.

Abstract: A developing device applicable to an electrophotographic copier, facsimile transceiver, laser printer or similar image forming apparatus and having a developing roller for carrying a nonmagnetic single component type developer, i.e., a toner and a toner supply roller for supplying the toner to the developing roller. The developing roller has dielectric portions and conductive portions each having a small area and distributed together on the surface thereof. The conductive portions are connected to ground and have a volume resistivity of 10.sup.6 .OMEGA.cm or below. The toner supply roller is made up of a metallic core and an elastic foam layer provided on the core and having conductivity and a predetermined frictional charging characteristic. A potential difference is set up between the developing roller and the toner supply roller to generate electric fields which act on a frictionally charged toner as a force directed from the toner supply roller toward the developing roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a photoconductive element, a developing sleeve, a photosensor and a control device for controlling the dynamic range of an image. A background output VSG is produced from the photosensor when the photoconductive element is rotating and the developing sleeve is rotating and a background output VSG+ is produced from the photosensor when the photoconductive element is rotating and the developing sleeve is not rotating. The control device controls a developing bias, a charge potential, a quantity of exposing light or an amount of toner supply in response to the greater of the two values VSG or VSG+. Also, the gradient of the background output VSG is determined and is used to decide whether the image forming apparatus is in an unusual state or not.

Abstract: Color image forming equipment capable of immediately responding to a sharp change in environment and producing stable images over a long period of time. An information value relating to the amount of toner deposition on a photoconductive element which changes with a change in environment and effects the formation of an image with a reference value which defines a first and a second environment. Variable dynamic range control devices each being optimal for respective one of the first and second environments are selectively used on the basis of the result of the above comparison.

Abstract: Images projected by an image-focusing optical mechanism including a display unit such as a CRT display are photographed on a photosensitive medium such as a photographic film. First, the optical mechanism is positioned in a reference position. Then, the optical mechanism is displaced by successive intervals while photographing the images successively on the photosensitive medium at respective areas thereon with the optical mechanism. After all of the images have been photographed, the optical mechanism is positioned in the reference position again in preparation for photographing images on a next photosensitive medium.