Abstract: Disclosed is a thin film forming apparatus which is a plasma discharge processing apparatus for performing a plasma discharge processing on the surface of a continuously transported base at or near atmospheric pressure, wherein a reverse flow of the processing gas is prevented and thus a thin film having good quality is formed by a uniform gas flow. The thin film forming apparatus is characterized by having an auxiliary gas discharge means for discharging an auxiliary gas for preventing a reverse flow of the processing gas. Also disclosed are a thin film forming method, and a thin film.

Abstract: An excellent intermediate transfer member which, even when used for printing on a plurality of sheets, does not crack to thereby cause image defects and can retain satisfactory cleaning ability without suffering toner filming, and with which high-quality printed images free from fog caused by toner filming are continuously obtained. The intermediate transfer member is for use in an image-forming device having a means of first transferring a toner image deposited on the surface of an electrophotographic photoreceptor to an intermediate transfer member and then secondly transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer member to a receiving material. The intermediate transfer member comprises a resin base, and formed on the periphery thereof, an elastic layer and a surface layer, the surface layer being composed of an interlayer and a rigid layer, the interlayer being a layer having a lower hardness and a lower modulus than the rigid layer.

Abstract: In order to provide a highly durable intermediate transfer member utilized for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, with which generation of rubbing scratches and cracks is suppressed, and no filming is generated, and a method of manufacturing the intermediate transfer member, disclosed is an intermediate transfer member for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, possessing a support and provided thereon, an elastic layer and a surface layer in this order, wherein the elastic layer has an elastic modulus of 10-200 MPa, and the thickness thereof is 50 ?m to 500 ?m.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thin film forming apparatus which is a plasma discharge processing apparatus for performing a plasma discharge processing on the surface of a continuously transported base at or near atmospheric pressure, wherein a reverse flow of the processing gas is prevented and thus a thin film having good quality is formed by a uniform gas flow. The thin film forming apparatus is characterized by having an auxiliary gas discharge means for discharging an auxiliary gas for preventing a reverse flow of the processing gas. Also disclosed are a thin film forming method, and a thin film.