Abstract: A polarization detection device includes a photocoupler; an optical waveguide layer for propagating light from the photocoupler therethrough; a polarization splitter for splitting the propagation light into two components having different refractive angles; and a photodetector formed of a semiconductor material for performing photoelectric conversion on the propagation light split into the two components. The photocoupler, the optical waveguide layer, the polarization splitter, and the photodetector are provided on a single semiconductor substrate. The photocoupler is one of a prism and a beam splitter formed of a dielectric material and supported by the optical waveguide layer only by an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer having a straight edge in the vicinity of the photocoupler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel genipin derivative represented by formula (I), which has anti hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity, in which R.sub.1 represents lower alkyl, benzyl, etc., R.sub.2 represents hydroxymethyl, formyl, acetyl, etc., R.sub.3 represents methoxycarbonyl, formyl, etc., its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and stereoisomer.

Abstract: The invention is a test strip and method for delivering a controlled dose of fluid to the eye. The strip and method is useful to determine break-up-time of the tear film over the cornea. The method comprises providing a planar ophthalmic test strip having a length greater than its width and having a tip on at least one of its end. The tip adsorbs liquids, has a width that is less than the width of the remainder of the strip, and has a surface area not exceeding 30 square mm. The tip is wetted with liquid, placed in contact with the corneal surface and break-up-time is observed. The test strip is designed to deliver a limited dose of from 0.5 to 1.0 .mu.l of liquid to the surface of the cornea.

Abstract: A surface for the alignment of liquid crystals containing directionally-linked groups and compounds useful for preparing such surfaces are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical thin film containing titanium oxide, cerium oxide and bismuth oxide, wherein the content ratio of the titanium oxide, cerium oxide, and bismuth oxide is within the area expressed by four-cornered shape ABCD consisting of A (4,1,95), B (98,1,1), C (20,79,1), and D (3,14,83) in term of coordinate points (TiO.sub.2 mol percent, CeO.sub.2 mol percent, and Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 mol percent) of the mol ratio when being converted to oxides of TiO.sub.2, CeO.sub.2, and Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3. Furthermore, with the invention, a comparatively high refractive index film layer and a comparatively low refractive index film layer are alternately laminated at least three layers on a transparent glass substrate, at least two layers of said three layers are high refractive index films, and at least one layer of said high refractive index films is said optical thin film.