Abstract: An input device includes an operation portion configured to receive an input operation made by a user, a vibration portion configured to vibrate the operation portion, a detection portion configured to detect the input operation, and a controller configured to determine a vibration condition of the vibration portion based on the input operation detected by the detection portion and present an elastic sense to the user by driving the vibration portion under the determined vibration condition.

Abstract: A pellet 4 for use in spectrometry includes a first powder 41 of a light transmitting material in a compression-molded form, and a second powder 42 which is hydrophilic and water-insoluble and is dispersedly mixed in the first powder. A sample 40 to be subjected to spectrometry is e.g. in a powdery form and dispersedly mixed in the first and the second powders 41 and 42. When the sample 40 is a hydrate, the second powder 42 exerts the effect of accelerating dehydration of the sample 40, so that stable spectrum data on the sample in the dehydrated state is obtained early. This makes it possible to perform a processing such as identification of the sample 40 early and precisely.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a Si bulk polycrystal ingot with high quality and high homogeneity, which has no significant crystal defects and is free from diffused impurities with a high yield. An upper face of a Si melt is locally cooled by bringing coolant close to a surface of the Si melt from an upper part of a crucible in the crucible containing the Si melt or by inserting the coolant into the Si melt. A dendrite crystal is formed in the vicinity of the surface of the Si melt. Cooling is performed thereafter while maintaining a proper temperature distribution, and a Si bulk crystal is grown from an upper part toward a lower part using a lower face of the dendrite crystal as a fresh growth face.