Abstract: A thin-film device comprises a base electrode made of a metal, a first dielectric layer, a first inner electrode, a second dielectric layer, a second inner electrode, and a third dielectric layer. Letting T1 be the thickness of the lowermost first dielectric layer in contact with the base electrode in the plurality of dielectric layers, and Tmin be the thickness of the thinnest dielectric layer in the plurality of dielectric layers excluding the first dielectric layer, T1>Tmin. Making the first dielectric layer thicker than the thinnest, dielectric layer in the other dielectric layers can increase the distance between a metal part projecting from a metal surface because of the surface roughness of the base electrode and the inner electrode mounted on the lowermost dielectric layer, thereby reducing leakage currents.

Abstract: A cylindrical dynamic damper including: a cylindrical mass member disposed about a rotating shaft and coaxially therewith; and a pair of elastic support members having a pair of ring-shaped affixing members situated at axial ends of the mass member and mounted on an outside peripheral face of the rotating shaft and a pair of elastic support portions of cylindrical shape connecting respectively to the affixing members and to the axial ends of the mass member to thereby elastically support the mass member. The mass member has on inside peripheral corners of both axial ends slanted faces disposed in chamfered profile and varying in shape in the circumferential direction; and the elastic support portions connected at one ends to the slanted faces have free length varying in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer gel composition including: at least two polymer compounds which interact with each other to form a polymer complex; and a liquid. One of the polymer compounds forms a three-dimensional crosslinked structure, at least one other polymer compound is compatible with the liquid, and at least a portion of the compatible polymer compound is included in the three-dimensional crosslinked structure. Preferably, when the polymer complex is disassembled or decomposed by stimuli, the polymer compound forming the three-dimensional crosslinked structure changes its volume by absorbing or releasing the liquid. The three-dimensional crosslinked structure is preferably in a particle shape. An optical device using such a polymer gel composition is also provided.

Abstract: A surface inspection apparatus includes: a light source unit that emits a divergent light flux of predetermined linearly polarized light to be used to illuminate a test substrate; a first optical member that allows the divergent light flux of the predetermined linearly polarized light to enter therein with a predetermined angle of incidence and then guides a light flux to the test substrate; a second optical member that allows a light flux from the test substrate to enter therein, emits a convergent light flux thereof with a predetermined angle of emergence and forms an image at a specific surface; an extraction unit that extracts linearly polarized light in the convergent light flux from the second optical member, which is perpendicular to the predetermined linearly polarized light; a light-receiving unit that receives an image of the test substrate formed via the second optical member and the extraction unit; and at least one polarization correcting member disposed within a light path extending between the

Abstract: A powered surgical apparatus can be used with a source of irrigation fluid and a source of suction. The powered surgical apparatus can include a cutting blade assembly and a handle. The handle can include an upper portion defining a distal section connectable to the cutting blade assembly and a lower portion extending downwardly from the upper portion. The handle can be connectable to the source of irrigation fluid and the source of suction. The system can also include a manually actuable input device that provides at least one signal relevant to at least one operation of the system, and a controller that receives the at least one input signal and provides an output signal to perform the at least one operation of the system.

Abstract: A polarizer for converting incident light beam into a linear polarization light beam has a base plate of a material of low linear expansion coefficient, high thermal conductivity or low photoelastic constant, a birefringent portion formed by arranging minute metal concave thread on a surface of light-emission side of the base plate in stripe, and a protection plate covering the birefringent portion and made of the same material as the base plate, the base plate and the protection plate being bonded by an elastic adhesive on the periphery thereof so that the birefringent portion is sealed and enclosed by the protection plate and the elastic adhesive.

Abstract: This fixator (1) comprises a rigid bar (7), two pin-holder assemblies (8, 9) which can be moved relative to this bar (7), and means (13, 22) with which it is possible to immobilize each pin-holder assembly (8, 9) in a defined position relative to the bar (7). According to the invention: the bar (7) has a cylindrical main part (10) and a spherical part (11) at one end; a first pin-holder assembly (8) comprises a one-piece body (12) with a bore passing through it to permit its engagement by sliding on the cylindrical part (10) of the bar (7); and the second pin-holder assembly (9) comprises a one-piece body (15) in which a recess (16) is formed, this recess (16) having a zone of partially spherical shape with a radius slightly greater than that of said spherical part (11), this zone being such that it can receive this spherical part (11) with pivoting, without lateral play, and with a possibility of articulation of said second pin-holder assembly (9).

Abstract: A circuit that digitizes a quantity of light received from a strobe according to the present invention, includes: a photoelectric conversion device that receives light from the strobe and generates an output corresponding to an intensity of the received light; a storage device that stores the output generated by the photoelectric conversion device; a constant quantity discharge device that holds a storage quantity at the storage device close to a specific value by discharging a constant storage quantity from the storage device over a specific period which is in synchronization with a specific sampling frequency and is shorter than the sampling cycle when the storage quantity at the storage device exceeds a predetermined threshold value and by implementing feedback control on the storage quantity at the storage device; and a received light quantity output device that outputs one or more pulse signals when the storage quantity at the storage device exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An ink jet printer includes a print head having ink nozzles, which is movable in a direction across the feeding path. A supply mechanism is provided at one side of the feeding path, which supplies ink to the print head located in the ink supply station. A maintenance mechanism is provided at the other side of the feeding path, which operates a predetermined operation. The ink jet printer is further provided with a first clutch which transmits the rotation of the actuator to the supply mechanism only when the print head is located in the above-mentioned one side, and a second clutch which transmits the rotation of the actuator to the maintenance mechanism only when the print head is located in the above-mentioned the other side. With this, the supply mechanism and the maintenance mechanism are actuated by a common actuator.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bonding substrate is disclosed. An oxide film is formed on at least one of two semiconductor substrates, and the two substrates are brought into close contact with each other via the oxide film. The substrates are heat-treated in an oxidizing atmosphere in order to firmly join the substrates together. Subsequently, the peripheral portion of a device-fabricating substrate is ground to a predetermined thickness, and an unjoined portion at the periphery of the device-fabricating substrate is completely removed through etching. The device-fabricating substrate is then ground and/or polished in order to reduce the thickness of the device-fabricating substrate to a desired thickness. The step of grinding the peripheral portion of the device-fabricating substrate to a predetermined thickness is performed by relative and radial movement of a grinding stone from the peripheral portion of the substrate toward the center thereof.