Abstract: A drive mechanism including a brushed motor comprises a brushed motor including a commutator having a plurality of commutator segments and a brush contactable to the plurality of commutator segments, a movable member driven by the brushed motor, and a stopper member configured to stop rotation of the brushed motor by contacting the movable member. In a state in which the movable member contacts the stopper member to thereby stop the rotation of the brushed motor, the brush contacts only one of two adjacent commutator segments of the plurality of commutator segments.

Abstract: A drive mechanism including a brushed motor comprises a brushed motor including a commutator having a plurality of commutator segments and a brush contactable to the plurality of commutator segments, a movable member driven by the brushed motor, and a stopper member configured to stop rotation of the brushed motor by contacting the movable member. In a state in which the movable member contacts the stopper member to thereby stop the rotation of the brushed motor, the brush contacts only one of two adjacent commutator segments of the plurality of commutator segments.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator of multilayer film type is provided which can achieve excellent optical characteristics with a reduced number of layers. In the Faraday rotator, a metal reflection film, a periodic dielectric multilayer film made of silicon dioxide SiO2 and tantalum pentoxide Ta2O5, a magneto-optical thin film, and another periodic dielectric multilayer film made of tantalum pentoxide Ta2O5 and silicon dioxide SiO2 is formed sequentially. Light incident on a polarizer goes therethrough, is reflected at the metal reflection film while traveling trough the periodic dielectric multilayer films, and goes through an analyzer to exit out.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator of multilayer film type is provided in which satisfactory optical characteristics are obtained with a small number of layers. In the Faraday rotator, a first periodic dielectric multilayer film made of silicon dioxide SiO2 and tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5 is formed on a substrate, then a magneto-optical thin film, and a second periodic dielectric multilayer film made of tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5 and silicon dioxide SiO2 are formed sequentially. The first and second periodic dielectric multilayer films sandwich the magneto-optical thin film such that their respective higher refractive dielectric thin films are in contact with the magneto-optical thin film. The number of layers of the first periodic dielectric multilayer film is larger than that of the second periodic dielectric multilayer film.

Abstract: This invention provides a magnetic optical member that can obtain a large magneto-optical effect using a rare-earth iron-garnet-based material and a method of producing the same.

Abstract: A reflection type Faraday rotator includes first to sixth reflection type sub-rotators. Light is made incident on the first to sixth sub-rotators while repeating reflecting thereat. A Faraday rotation occurs at a sub-rotator having a center wavelength equal to the wavelength of the light The sub-rotators are of reflection-type, have a larger bandwidth of outgoing light compared to a transmission type, and have center wavelengths (wavelength characteristics) different from one another. Thus, the effective wavelength range (the wavelength bandwidth) is increased. Expensive optical devices conventionally required for increasing the wavelength bandwidth are not needed. Accordingly, the cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A magnetic impedance element including a substrate made of a non-magnetic material, a thin-film magnetic core formed on said substrate, and first and second electrodes disposed on both ends of said thin-film magnetic core in a longitudinal direction thereof, characterized in that said thin-film magnetic core is formed by laminating a plurality of magnetic films through non-magnetic thin-films.

Abstract: A raw material mixed solution containing nitrate or alkoxide of metal that constitutes a ferrite is sprayed from an atomizer by means of a carrier gas such as compressed air onto a substrate mounted on a hot plate and heated to a predetermined temperature. The method enables a thin film having a desired thickness to be formed by a simple apparatus in a short time without sacrificing good soft magnetism of a ferrite, thereby greatly contributing to downsizing and weight reduction of electronic devices.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator is provided which obtains excellent optical characteristics with a small number of layers. In the Faraday rotator, a metal reflective film is formed on a substrate, then a first periodic dielectric multilayer film made of silicon dioxide SiO2 and tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5, a magneto-optical thin film, and a second periodic dielectric multilayer film made of tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5 and silicon dioxide SiO2 are formed sequentially. The number of layers of the first periodic dielectric multilayer film is larger than that of the second periodic dielectric multilayer film. Incident light from a polarizer passes through the periodic dielectric multilayer films, is reflected at the metal reflective film, returns through the periodic dielectric multilayer films, and passes through an analyzer to exit out.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magneto-optical member capable of ensuring an excellent light transmittance and an optical isolator using the same. A first one-dimensional magnetic photonic crystal having a magneto-optical thin film, and a second one-dimensional magnetic photonic crystal having another magneto-optical thin film are laminated so as to sandwich a dielectric thin film with a small refractive index having an optical length of &lgr;/4+m&lgr;/2 where &lgr; is a wavelength of light and m is 0 or a positive integer. Since a plurality of magneto-optical thin films are present as magnetic thin films and hence the total thickness of the magnetic thin films is increased, the Faraday rotation angle is increased. Also, a large light transmittance can be obtained because of the presence of the dielectric thin film with a small refractive index having (&lgr;/4+m&lgr;/2) thickness where the first and second one-dimensional magnetic photonic crystals are laminated.

Abstract: A magnetic impedance element including a substrate made of a non-magnetic material, a thin-film magnetic core formed on said substrate, and first and second electrodes disposed on both ends of said thin-film magnetic core in a longitudinal direction thereof, characterized in that said thin-film magnetic core is formed by laminating a plurality of magnetic films through non-magnetic thin-films.

Abstract: A raw material mixed solution containing nitrate or alkoxide of metal that constitutes a ferrite is sprayed from an atomizer by means of a carrier gas such as compressed air onto a substrate mounted on a hot plate and heated to a predetermined temperature. The method enables a thin film having a desired thickness to be formed by a simple apparatus in a short time without sacrificing good soft magnetism of a ferrite, thereby greatly contributing to downsizing and weight reduction of electronic devices.

Abstract: A magnetic impedance element including a substrate made of a non-magnetic material, a thin-film magnetic core formed on said substrate, and first and second electrodes disposed on both ends of said thin-film magnetic core in a longitudinal direction thereof, characterized in that said thin-film magnetic core is formed by laminating a plurality of magnetic films through non-magnetic thin-films.

Abstract: A reflection type Faraday rotator includes first to sixth reflection type sub-rotators. Light is made incident on the first to sixth sub-rotators while repeating reflecting thereat. A Faraday rotation occurs at a sub-rotator having a center wavelength equal to the wavelength of the light The sub-rotators are of reflection-type, have a larger bandwidth of outgoing light compared to a transmission type, and have center wavelengths (wavelength characteristics) different from one another. Thus, the effective wavelength range (the wavelength bandwidth) is increased. Expensive optical devices conventionally required for increasing the wavelength bandwidth are not needed. Accordingly, the cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator is provided which obtains excellent optical characteristics with a small number of layers. In the Faraday rotator, a metal reflective film is formed on a substrate, then a first periodic dielectric multilayer film made of silicon dioxide SiO2 and tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5, a magneto-optical thin film, and a second periodic dielectric multilayer film made of tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5 and silicon dioxide SiO2 are formed sequentially. The number of layers of the first periodic dielectric multilayer film is larger than that of the second periodic dielectric multilayer film. Incident light from a polarizer passes through the periodic dielectric multilayer films, is reflected at the metal reflective film, returns through the periodic dielectric multilayer films, and passes through an analyzer to exit out.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator of multilayer film type is provided in which satisfactory optical characteristics are obtained with a small number of layers. In the Faraday rotator, a first periodic dielectric multilayer film made of silicon dioxide SiO2 and tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5 is formed on a substrate, then a magneto-optical thin film, and a second periodic dielectric multilayer film made of tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5 and silicon dioxide SiO2 are formed sequentially. The first and second periodic dielectric multilayer films sandwich the magneto-optical thin film such that their respective higher refractive dielectric thin films are in contact with the magneto-optical thin film. The number of layers of the first periodic dielectric multilayer film is larger than that of the second periodic dielectric multilayer film.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator of multilayer film type is provided which can achieve excellent optical characteristics with a reduced number of layers. In the Faraday rotator, a metal reflection film, a periodic dielectric multilayer film made of silicon dioxide SiO2 and tantalum pentoxide Ta2O5, a magneto-optical thin film, and another periodic dielectric multilayer film made of tantalum pentoxide Ta2O5 and silicon dioxide SiO2 is formed sequentially. Light incident on a polarizer goes therethrough, is reflected at the metal reflection film while traveling trough the periodic dielectric multilayer films, and goes through an analyzer to exit out.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magneto-optical member capable of ensuring an excellent light transmittance and an optical isolator using the same. A first one-dimensional magnetic photonic crystal having a magneto-optical thin film, and a second one-dimensional magnetic photonic crystal having another magneto-optical thin film are laminated so as to sandwich a dielectric thin film with a small refractive index having an optical length of &lgr;/4+m&lgr;/2 where &lgr; is a wavelength of light and m is 0 or a positive integer. Since a plurality of magneto-optical thin films are present as magnetic thin films and hence the total thickness of the magnetic thin films is increased, the Faraday rotation angle is increased. Also, a large light transmittance can be obtained because of the presence of the dielectric thin film with a small refractive index having (&lgr;/4+m&lgr;/2) thickness where the first and second one-dimensional magnetic photonic crystals are laminated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact optical isolator. A polarizer 2A and/or an analyzer 2B of an optical isolator 1 are/is formed of a cobalt magnetic substance minute particle cluster thin film 2. The cobalt magnetic substance minute particle cluster thin film 2 can be formed in the form of tape, film or sheet, whereby the thickness of the polarizer 2A and/or the analyzer 2B can be made small and in addition thereto, the polarizer and/or the analyzer can be formed integrally with a magneto-optical member which is formed in the form of thin film. More compact dimension and lighter weight can be realized as compared with the prior art in which Rochon prism made of calcite, rutile single crystal having wedge form or polarizing beam splitter is employed as the polarizer and the analyzer.

Abstract: This invention provides a magnetic optical member that can obtain a large magneto-optical effect using a rare-earth-iron-garnet-based material and a method of producing the same. According to the present invention, a BiYIG thin film (207) is formed on a (SiO2/Ta2O5)n layer (210), and heat-treatment for crystallization of the BiYIG thin film (207) is carried out with infrared rays while cooling a non-heat-resisting substrate (203) and the (SiO2/Ta2O5)n layer (210) through a substrate holder (201). Since the non-heat-resisting substrate (203) is cooled and the deformation thereof is prevented, heat treatment to crystallize the BiYIG thin film (207) can be carried out. By the crystallization of the BiYIG thin film (207) a large magneto-optical effect can be obtained. The non-heat-resisting substrate (203) is cooled, and can be made of a thermoplastic resin or can be formed in a tape shape, film shape or sheet shape. Thus, easy handling of the substrate and downsizing can be realized.