Abstract: Minute particles are produced by holding charged nucleating particles in an electric field and supplying source particles to the region where the nucleating particles are held. The source particles adhere to the nucleating particles, thus growing minute particles with electric charges. This method permits the production of minute particles which are uniform in their mass and shape or the like. Minute particles having composite structures consisting of different kinds of substances can also be produced.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the analysis of ions generated by matrix-assisted laser desorption is disclosed. This apparatus and method enhances the mass spectral resolution compared to previous devices and methods by producing electrical modulation of the kinetic energy imparted to the generated ions in a matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometer. This modulation causes parent ions of interest to be substantially reflected (and detected) or substantially not reflected (and not detected) within the spectrometer, while fragment ions produced from the parent ion of interest are substantially reflected (and detected) independent of said modulation. A difference signal is generated between electrical signals sensed when the parent ions are reflected and electrical signals sensed when the parent ions are not reflected thereby mitigating the effects on the mass spectrum of the undesired fragment ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvement of a quadrupole electrode for use in a mass spectrometer or the like, in which two pairs of electrode rods 1, 2, 3 and 4 formed in such a manner that the section of the opposed face of each rod is hyperbolic or circular, and each electrode rod is made of a ceramic and the surface of the electrode is coated with a coating layer 5 of a conductive metal. Further, the present invention relates to a production process, characterized by incorporating such four electrodes at predetermined intervals. Since the electrodes are mainly made of a ceramic which is easily formable with a high dimensional accuracy, the adjustment of the positional relationship between the electrodes during assembling can be made without much effort, which enables a quadrupole electrode having a high performance to be provided with a good reproducibility at a low cost.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to realize a field-emission transmission electron microscope which is able to cope with both observation of an electron-microscopic image of a high brightness and microanalysis. A low aberration condenser lens 4 is disposed at the farthest position from a specimen 7, and a short focal length lens 5 is disposed at the midpoint between the specimen 7 and the condenser lens 4. In the case of an observation of an electron-microscopic image, the condenser lens unit is operated for enlargement in which the condenser lens 4 and the condenser lens 5 are driven in an interlocking motion. When the size of a beam spot on a specimen is to be reduced, a condenser lens 6 disposed close to the specimen between the condenser lens 5 and the specimen 7 is driven to make the condenser lens unit be operated for reduction.

Abstract: Not only for a memory device having a high repeatabitlity but also for a device having a low repeatability, there can be realized an electron beam lithography method which can carry out high speed processing of the device with a less number of lithography shots as well as an apparatus therefor. An input pattern is classified into repetitive and non-repetitive patterns. The classified non-repetitive pattern is further classified into unit areas, i.e., repetitive and no-repetitive unit patterns. Next, the non-repetitive unit patterns are converted into lithography data, while the repetitive unit patterns and repetitive patterns are composed on the lithography data of the non-repetitive unit patterns. A result of composing the repetitive unit patterns and repetitive patterns and the lithography data of the non-repetitive unit patterns is sorted according to a lithography sequence and output as the lithography data.

Abstract: An optical recording medium of a single plate type capable of recording comprises a transparent resin substrate having a groove of 900-1800 .ANG. in depth and 0.3-0.6 .mu.m in width, a recording layer containing a dye overlying the substrate, a reflective layer overlying the recording layer and a protective layer overlying the reflective layer, the thickness of the recording layer being 800-1250 .ANG. at the groove portion and 500-1100 .ANG. at the land portion.

Abstract: An optical information recording and reproduction apparatus that correctly performs tracking control even when there is a step in the information recording surface in an apparatus that records and reproduces information to and from an information recording medium such as an optical card or the like. An optical information recording and reproduction apparatus which focusses a light spot from a laser onto an optical information recording medium which has a tracking track and performs the recording and reproduction of information to required positions using the tracking track as a reference. The apparatus reduces the optical output of the laser when track jumping and seeking when there is an information reproduction operation.

Abstract: An analytical instrument using a plasma is disclosed. The instrument includes two plasma torches, a first torch of which is used for vaporizing a sample and a second plasma torch is used for exciting the sample. When the analytical instrument is a mass spectrometer, the sample vaporized by the first plasma torch is introduced into the second plasma torch where the sample is ionized. The sample is then mass analyzed. If the sample is a small solid sample, it is momentarily vaporized by the plasma flame generated from the first plasma torch. If the sample is a large solid sample, it can be gradually vaporized from its surface. Therefore, the sample can be analyzed without requiring any pretreatment, e.g., dissolving the sample in an acid.

Abstract: A negative ion source is constructed to produce H.sup.- ions without using Cesium. A high percentage of secondary electrons that typically accompany the extracted H.sup.- are trapped and eliminated from the beam by permanent magnets in the initial stage of acceleration. Penetration of the magnetic field from the permanent magnets into the ion source is minimized. This reduces the destructive effect the magnetic field could have on negative ion production and extraction from the source. A beam expansion section in the extractor results in a strongly converged final beam.

Abstract: A method of forming a nano-scale device with a probe (2) such as a STM on a substrate (1) includes the step of rendering the relevant part of the substrate conductive while the device (5) is being formed with the probe so that current can flow from the probe to the substrate. Thereafter, to operate the device, the substrate is rendered non-conductive so as to prevent dissipation of current from the device through the substrate. The substrate can be altered in conductivity by cooling to undergo a Mott transition, can be heated from a normally non-conductive condition to become conductive, or subjected to laser radiation to induce charge carriers to render it conductive.

Abstract: An optic column is provided to obtain a micro beam in simple structure. The optic column has a line cathode and multi-pole lenses arranged in three steps. A beam orbit in the major axis direction (X direction) and a beam orbit in the minor axis direction (Y direction) cross each other on the image plane. A ratio of magnification Mx of X-directional orbit to magnification My of Y-directional orbit is coincident with a ratio of width W to length H of the line cathode.

Abstract: In an LC mode, the GC system of a GC/LC/MS system provides a counterflow to an LC particle beam. The counterflow increases signal strength and, for some relatively high molecular mass analytes, reduces fragmentation.

Abstract: Apparatus for displaying a visual image of the X-ray response of a specimen comprises an electron beam source for exciting X-ray emissions from the specimen. A detector detects X-ray photons emitted by the specimen and generates output signals representing the energies of X-ray photons received from discrete pixels of the specimen in a plurality of energy bands. A set of look-up tables generate for each pixel and for each energy band visual colour component signals related to the mean energy of X-ray photons emitted from the pixel and detected by the detector in that energy band. The range of X-ray energies is mapped into a range of visual colours. An accumulator combines the colour component signals for each pixel. The colour components for each pixel are stored in a frame store which is connected to a monitor which displays an image defined by the colour components.

Abstract: In an electron spectroscopy analyzer for obtaining an electron spectroscopy spectrum by applying to a sample an X-ray or electron beam from a first beam source and by analyzing the energy of secondary electrons emitted from the sample, an amount of energy shift of a reflected beam from the sample is obtained by applying a charging beam from second beam source, and a shift of the electron spectroscopy spectrum is corrected in accordance with the amount of energy shift. With this structure, a shift of a spectral line due to charges on the sample surface caused by the application of the X-ray or electron beam is corrected, thereby improving accuracy of the measurement of values and intensity of energy.

Abstract: To increase the track density, that is, to improve the recording density of the optical disk of ultra-high resolving power reproduction type, grooves 4 are formed in a transparent substrate 2; phase pits 1 are formed on groove bottom portions 5 and land portions 6 of the grooves; and further a material layer 3 is laminated. A polycarbonate substrate is used as the transparent substrate 2. The material layer 3 is formed of such a material that the state is partially changed due to heat of the reading light in the optical spot of the reading light but returned to the original state after the reading light has passed, and in addition the reflection factor of the material is changeable according to the state change. The material layer 3 is a ternary compound of Ge.sub.2 Sb.sub.2 Te.sub.3. The thermal conductivity of the transparent substrate 2 is smaller than that of the material layer 3.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is directed to novel ceramic compositions, and to stabilizer compositions for use with those ceramic compositions. The ceramic materials are formed of rare earth chromium oxides that include a novel combination of stabilizing compounds. Also, dryer or sterilizer devices which incorporate these ceramic compositions for generating infrared radiation for drying or sterilizing various articles.

Abstract: Defective portions, such as black dot defects, in an emulsion layer of an emulsion mask such as a photomask are repaired or removed by irradiating an ultraviolet laser beam from a laser oscillator, preferably an excimer laser. The laser beam is passed through an adjustable aperture for shaping and is then projected onto defective portions in dimensional alignment, whereby the defective portions are destroyed. In order to ensure that only the defective portions are destroyed, the image of the aperture projected on the emulsion layer is observed so as not to cover the emulsion mask where defective portions do not exist. Defective portions such as white defects can also be repaired by using additional procedure together with the irradiation of the laser beam.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry method in which notch-filtered noise is applied to an ion trap to resonate all ions except selected parent ions out of the region of the trapping field. Preferably, the trapping field is a quadrupole trapping field defined by a ring electrode and a pair of end electrodes positioned symmetrically along a z-axis, and the filtered noise is applied to the ring electrode (rather than to the end electrodes) to eject unwanted ions in radial directions (toward the ring electrode) rather than toward a detector mounted along the z-axis. Application of the filtered noise to the trap in this manner can significantly increase the operating lifetime of such an ion detector. Also preferably, the trapping field has a DC component selected so that the trapping field has both a high frequency and low frequency cutoff, and is incapable of trapping ions with resonant frequency below the low frequency cutoff or above the high frequency cutoff.

Abstract: A contour collimator for shaping a radiation beam for radiation therapy has two sets of radiation-impermeable lamellae disposed opposite each other, with each lamella being individually displaceable toward and away from its counterpart lamella in the other set. The sets of lamella are disposed between lateral walls of holder, at least one of which can be loosened and tightened. The lamellae are normally urged against each other by a spring force acting on each lamella. A user-manipulable mechanism is operable for displacing all of the lamellae in both sets away from each other, so that a form conforming to the desired contour can be placed between the lamellae. The mechanism is then moved to permit the spring force to act on each lamella, causing the lamellae to abut the form. The lamellae are then clamped in position.

Abstract: In an optical recording system employing a laser for writing digital data onto a storage medium, an apparatus and method for calibrating a laser to a power level which minimizes write errors. A calibration profile is generated by writing test data patterns onto the storage medium by using a number of different predetermined laser power levels. The test data patterns are then read back. The number of write errors is determined for each of the different laser power levels by comparing the written data patterns to the read back data patterns. The calibration profile denotes the number of write errors as a function of laser power levels. Next, an optimum laser power is determined corresponding to an average of an upper and a lower knee of the calibration profile. The laser is calibrated to this optimum power level.