Abstract: The present invention provides an integrally formed ramp that is used for evacuating the suspension arm of a data storage device. The ramp has sliding portions, each having guiding zones and a landing zone. The boundary between the guiding zones and the landing zone is formed parallel to a reference line, so even if the landing portion had a recessed shape, the sliding portion could be molded with a casting mold by pulling out the casting mold in the direction of the reference line. The necessary portion of a support portion which is formed with the same casting mold as the sliding portions is formed so as not to disturb the pulling-out of the casting mold in the direction of the reference line. The integrally molded ramp is high in fabrication accuracy and excellent in defining an accurate loading/unloading position of the suspension arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to obtain an electrooptical device having a high response speed by using a spontaneously polarized ferroelectric liquid crystal. Spontaneously polarized ferroelectric liquid crystal in the smectic-A state is sealed into a proper transparent case. An electric field is applied perpendicularly to a light path direction so as to change the orientation directions of liquid crystal molecules, thereby changing the refractive index distribution. A liquid crystal electrooptical device having both deflection and focusing functions is provided by adjusting the shape of the electrodes while maintaining the polarization state of an input light beam.

Abstract: Tunneling microscopy can be used to observe simultaneously the topography of a sample surface that is conductive and data related to the magnetic field near the surface. A tunneling microscope apparatus has a cantilever supporting a tip which has a magnetic moment. To use the apparatus according to a first preferred method, a magnetic field alternating at a predetermined frequency is produced by the sample near the sample surface to vibrate the tip by a magnetic interaction with the magnetic moment. To use the apparatus according to a second preferred method, the direction of the magnetic moment of the tip is switched at a predetermined frequency to vibrate the tip by creating an interaction between the magnetic moment and a magnetic field of the sample. For both preferred methods, the tip is maintained at a distance from the sample surface so as to permit a tunneling current to flow.