Abstract: A method for producing a norbornene derivative wherein, in the presence of palladium and at least one selected from phosphorus compounds represented by the following General Formulae (1) and (2): [in Formula (1), R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or the like, and R5 and R6 each independently represent a branched chain saturated hydrocarbon group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms or the like], and [in Formula (2), R7 represents a branched chain saturated hydrocarbon group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms], a norbornadiene derivative represented by the following General Formula (3): [in Formula (3), R8, R9, R10, R11 and R12 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or the like, l represents an integer of 0 or 1, m represents an integer of 0 or 1, and n represents an integer of 0 or 1], and a bromine compound represented by the following General Formula (4): [Chemical Formula 4] Br—Z—R13??(4) [in Formula (4), Z represents a phenylene group or the like, and R13

Abstract: A retardation film, formed by stretching a film including a norbornene-based, ring-opening polymer containing a structural unit (A) represented by a formula (1), has high transparency, excellent wavelength dispersion characteristics in a single layer, is capable of providing specific retardation to broadband light, is extremely adhesive to other materials, is capable of attaining optical characteristics that are unique among negative birefringence characteristics, and is capable of providing a reverse dispersion of birefringence wavelength dispersion characteristics. The present invention also provides a liquid crystal display device using the foregoing film.

Abstract: A plasma processing unit of the present invention includes a processing container whose inner pressure can be reduced, a first electrode arranged in the processing container, a process gas supplying unit that supplies a process gas into the processing container, a high-frequency electric power source that outputs high-frequency electric power having a frequency in a VHF band, a matching unit electrically connected to the high-frequency electric power source and the first electrode for impedance matching, and a transmission line that transmits the high-frequency electric power from the high-frequency electric power source to the matching unit. A substrate to be processed is adapted to be arranged in the processing container. The high-frequency electric power transmitted to the first electrode is adapted to generate plasma in such a manner that the substrate to be processed can undergo a plasma process by means of the plasma.

Abstract: A reflection liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal cell where a liquid crystal layer is provided between two opposed electrode substrates, a reflecting layer, and a cholesteric liquid crystal film, characterized in that the ratio (SCE/SCI) of the specular component excluded-refelctance (SCE) to the specular component included-reflectance (SCI) of the cholesteric liquid crystal film is 15% or more, the wavelenght bandwidth of the cholesteric selective reflection ranges from 30 mm to 150 nm, and the center wavelength of the cholesteric selective reflection is in the visible range of 380-780 nm or in the near-infared range of 800-2000 nm.

Abstract: A light-diffusible liquid crystalline film having a fixed cholesteric or chiral smectic C orientation in which the helical axis direction is not uniformly parallel to the film thickness direction, as well as a liquid crystalline film having a fixed cholesteric or chiral smectic C orientation in which the helical axis direction is not uniformly parallel to the film thickness direction nor is the helix pitch uniformly equal in the film thickness direction, are provided.

Abstract: A reflection liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal cell where a liquid crystal layer is provided between two opposed electrode substrates, a reflecting layer, and a cholesteric liquid crystal film, characterized in that the ratio (SCE/SCI) of the specular component excluded-refelctance (SCE) to the specular component included-reflectance (SCI) of the cholesteric liquid crystal film is 15% or more, the wavelenght bandwidth of the cholesteric selective reflection ranges from 30 mm to 150 nm, and the center wavelength of the cholesteric selective reflection is in the visible range of 380-780 nm or in the near-infared range of 800-2000 nm.

Abstract: Fine particles having a thin cholesteric liquid crystal film superior in visibility for a selectively reflected light are provided. Non-liquid crystalline fine particles for nucleus are dispersed in a cholesteric liquid crystal solution, then the solvent used is removed, followed by heat-treatment and cooling, to afford fine particles coated with a thin cholesteric liquid crystal film.

Abstract: There are provided liquid crystalline polyesters comprising 4'-hydroxy-4-stilbenecarboxylic acid type units, dicarboxylic acid units acting as a mesogen such as 4,4'-stilbenecarboxylic acid and catechol units as essential ingredients, and a liquid crystalline polyester composition comprising said polyesters and optically active liquid crystalline polyesters consisting essentially of 4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylic acid type units and aliphatic diol units having asymmetric carbons.

Abstract: A reservoir for automotive vehicles comprises first baffles concentrically arranged inside a cap and having different diameters, and second baffles concentrically arranged inside a filler port of the reservoir and having different diameters, the second baffles being concentric with the first baffles. The first and second baffles are disposed alternately. The second baffles are formed with a communication port for allowing fluid communication in the reservoir.

Abstract: In a rack and pinion power steering apparatus including a hydraulic cylinder housing, a pinion, a rack, a piston, a bolt for mounting the piston to the rack, etc., the piston is elastically supported by the bolt to a boss portion of the rack concentrically with respect to the rack at a position offset from the longitudinal axis of the rack in the opposite direction of the rack teeth. Therefore, it is possible to form a threaded hole, into which the piston mounting bolt is screwed, in the boss portion extending under the bottom surface of the rack teeth, thus reducing the longitudinal direction of the rack or cylinder housing to realize a small-sized power steering apparatus.

Abstract: In a rack and pinion power steering apparatus including a hydraulic cylinder housing, a pinion, a rack, a piston, a bolt for mounting the piston to the rack, etc., the rack is formed at one end thereof with a boss portion having a threaded portion which is formed with large inner diameter cylindrical cavity between the boss portion and the bolt in such a way that the female thread extends from a position radially corresponding to near the middle of the boss axial length or near the end surface of the rack to the bottom of the threaded portion. Therefore, it is possible to concentrate a load applied to the piston due to difference in pressure between two chambers to the relatively thick rack, not to the relatively thin boss portion, thus improving the mechanical strength of the steering apparatus without increasing the size or volume thereof.

Abstract: A power-assist device for an automotive steering system employs spool valves of substantially identical construction and identical size to control the fluid pressure in smaller and larger area chambers of an unbalanced cylinder. For compensating difference of effective area between smaller and larger area chambers, the position of bores defned in a housing of a pressure control valve for receiving the spool valves are differed from each other so that the spool valve opening and closing an induction path for the smaller area chamber and opening closing a drain path for the larger area chamber moves at greater magnitude than that of the other spool valve which opens and closes an induction path for the larger area chamber and opens and closes an exhaust path for the smaller area chamber.

Abstract: A wiring circuit board with a fine wiring pattern free from disconnection and poor insulation is produced by forming an insulating layer consisting of at least two insulating substances having different dissociation energies for metalization, including metal elements, on a substrate and irradiating the insulating layer with an energizing beam by scanning, thereby forming a wiring pattern as desired.