Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas sensor and a gas discriminating method which are capable of distinctly discriminating two or more kinds of gases. A DC bias and AC signals which are superposed to a junction part, which is formed on a gas sensor having a p-type oxide semiconductor and an n-type oxide semiconductor by means of heterojunction of end surfaces thereof, an impedance characteristic of the junction part is measured, and CO gas and H.sub.2 gas are discriminated in accordance with a dependence on a frequency of the AC signals and on the DC bias of the impedance characteristic. CuO into which an alkali metal element is doped is used as the p-type oxide semiconductor and ZnO is used as the n-type oxide semiconductor. The alkali metal element to be used is an alkali metal element selected from the group of Li, Na and K and the doping quantity is such that 0.2 mole %.ltoreq.M.sub.2 O.ltoreq.5 mole %, where M is Li, Na or K.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting light energy into electric energy and storing the same, which comprises a photoelectric conversion unit having an element that generates an electromotive force by irradiation of light and a unit for storing electric energy generated by the photoelectric conversion unit. The element comprises a ferroelectric crystal having a bulk photovoltaic effect such as BaTiO.sub.3, lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) or the like. Light energy is converted into electric energy having a voltage ranging from 10 V to several kV with high reliability to be efficiently stored.

Abstract: A laser beam with a wavelength .lambda. emitted from a laser beam source is split into first and second pump beams and a probe beam. The first and second pump beams are incident on light incident surfaces of a photo-nonlinear medium from opposing directions on the same optical path. The probe beam is incident on the light incident surface forming an angle with the first pump beam to generate interference fringes in the normal direction of the light incident surface and to form a refractive index grating. A phase conjugate wave is emitted in the reverse direction to an incident optical path of the probe beam by means of irradiating the second pump beam on the refractive index grating.

Abstract: An optical switch for use as a shutter for intercepting or passing light signals, such as beam lights, including a piezoelectric actuator attached at one end thereof to a base plate and at its other end to an optical shielding object for intercepting or passing over light beams, a mirror installed on a location close to the place where the piezoelectric actuator is attached to the base plate to reflect passed light beams, and the piezoelectric actuator being coupled to a source of energy. The light signals are intercepted or passed by the movement of the object due to modifications of the piezoelectric actuator, and the passed light signals are reflected by the mirror and detected by an optical detector.

Abstract: An optical scanner for scanning light signals, such as light beams, including an electrostrictive element attached at one end thereof to a base body, a convex mirror fixed to the other end of the electrostrictive element, a driving circuit for changing a voltage applied to the electrostrictive element, and an emitter for emitting a light beam to the surface of the convex mirror in a direction different from the modified direction of the electrostrictive element. When the applied voltage to the electrostrictive element changes by the driving circuit during reflecting light beams on the convex mirror surface, the electrostrictive element is modified according to the applied voltage. Simultaneously light beams are scanned over a wide range, even if the modified volume is small, due to continuous change of deflection angles of beams according to the radius of the curvature of the convex mirror.

Abstract: A photo-driven optical deflecting apparatus in which a light beam is deflected by using only light beam(s), comprising (a) a dielectric substrate having "photovoltaic effect"; (b) one or more first couples of electrodes formed in or on at least a portion of the surface(s) of said substrate so as to polarize the portion(s) positioned between said couple(s) of the electrodes formed thereby; (c) one or more photo-driving or photo-receiving elements provided at least in the polarized portion(s) of the surface of said dielectric substrate, having a polarization direction oriented in one direction, and having photovoltaic effect so as to generate a voltage between said electrodes; (d) a dielectric and transparent prism having "electrooptic effect" through which a light beam to be deflected is passed and deflected, provided on the surface of said substrate, having a second couple of electrodes provided on a couple of the surfaces of the prism, which surfaces are parallel to the optic axis; and a polarizer provided o

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer having electrodes formed on both surfaces has a piezoelectric base molded as a curved plate which can converge sound fields of acoustic waves at an arbitrary point and which can reduce noise or reverberation in a lateral direction which otherwise occur due to unnecessary vibration. At least one of the electrodes is divided concentrically. A material having a small electromechanical coupling factor K.sub.p in the lateral direction is used for the piezoelectric material, preferably porous PZT.

Abstract: There is provided a new electro-optical effect composition having the general formula:(1-x)Pb(Mg.sub.1/3 Nb.sub.2/3)O.sub.3 --xPbTiO.sub.3wherein 0.5.ltoreq..times..ltoreq.0.40.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer having plural piezoelectric transducer elements which can generate mechanical vibrations converging substantially on one point. The transducer is formed to control the convergent point by insulating piezoelectric transducer elements mechanically, arranging them concentrically and driving them independently and separately from each other.

Abstract: A photo-driven switching apparatus in which a light beam is switched or modulated by using only light beam(s), comprising (a) a dielectric substrate having "photovoltaic effect"; (b) one or more couples of electrodes formed in or on at least portions of the surface(s) of the substrate so as to polarize the portion(s) positioned between the couple(s) of the electrodes thereby, (c) one or more photo-driving or photo-receiving elements provided at least in the polarized portion(s) of the surface of the dielectric substrate, having a polarization direction arranged at one certain direction, and having photovoltaic effect so as to generate photovoltage; (d) a dielectric rotation element comprising a light beam switching passage or modulator having a couple of polarizers, the polarization direction of each of which is perpendicularly crossed or parallel to each other, positioned on the surface of incoming of a light beam to be modulated, and at the surface of outgoing of the light beam, and a couple of electrodes f

Abstract: A lead type chip capacitor which is disclosed herein comprises a capacitor chip having a lead terminal bonded thereto through a joining or bonding layer made of a highly melting metal paste. The lead type chip capacitor is produced by bonding at least one internal electrode in a capacitor chip with a lead terminal by a metal paste, drying them at a temperature in a range of 100.degree. to 200.degree. C., and firing the resulting capacitor chip with the lead terminal bonded thereto at a temperature in a range of 500.degree. to 900.degree. C. in the air or in a nitrogen atmosphere.

Abstract: A multilayered ceramic capacitor includes glass melted layers and adhering layers containing conductive patters in which the combination of two or more different species of dielectric materials are used for ceramic layers in the stack of the multilayered capacitor.

Abstract: A multi-layered ceramic capacitor characterized by a structure containing glass material layers imposed between adjacent ceramic layers and conductive layers which sandwich the glass material therebetween. The conductive electrode layers and/or glass material layers bind the thin ceramic film pieces during firing at lower temperatures resulting in a strong bonded capacitor having numerous electrical applications.