Abstract: An amorphous oxide semiconductor contains at least one element selected from In, Ga, and Zn at an atomic ratio of InxGayZnz, wherein the density M of the amorphous oxide semiconductor is represented by the relational expression (1) below: M?0.94×(7.121x+5.941y+5.675z)/(x+y+z) ??(1) where 0?x?1, 0?y?1, 0?z?1, and x+y+z?0.

Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a channel layer 11, a source electrode 13, a drain electrode 14, a gate insulation layer 12 and a gate electrode 15 formed on a substrate 10. The channel layer is made of an amorphous oxide and that the gate insulation layer is made of an amorphous oxide containing Y.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a device using an oxide semiconductor, including a process of forming the oxide semiconductor on a substrate and a process of changing the conductivity of the oxide semiconductor by irradiating a predetermined region thereof with an energy ray.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a device using an oxide semiconductor, including a process of forming the oxide semiconductor on a substrate and a process of changing the conductivity of the oxide semiconductor by irradiating a predetermined region thereof with an energy ray.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a device using an oxide semiconductor, including a process of forming the oxide semiconductor on a substrate and a process of changing the conductivity of the oxide semiconductor by irradiating a predetermined region thereof with an energy ray.

Abstract: Provided is a thin film transistor comprising a channel layer comprised of an oxide semiconductor containing In, M, Zn, and O, M including at least one selected from the group consisting of Ga, Al, and Fe. The channel layer is covered with a protective film.

Abstract: A sheet material identifying device for identifying the kind of sheet material by applying vibration on the sheet material. The identifying device has a vibrator for applying vibration on the sheet material, a vibration sensor for detecting, via the sheet material, vibration applied by the vibrator, a device for changing a vibrating state between the vibrator and the vibration sensor, and an identifying section for identifying the kind of sheet material based on a detection result of the vibration sensor. Also, an image forming apparatus making use of the sheet material identifying device and a method of identifying the kind of sheet material are provided.

Abstract: A material sensing apparatus detects the material (type) of an object, e.g., a recording medium, using a heat source which heats at least a portion of an object, a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of a portion of the object, a memory element which stores data on the relationship between temperature and type of object, and a determination element which determines the type of the object based on the measurement result of the temperature sensor and the data in the memory element. The temperature sensor measures the temperature of a portion of the object at a predetermined distance from the portion heated by the heat source.

Abstract: Provided is a novel method for manufacturing a field effect transistor. Prior to forming an amorphous oxide layer on a substrate, ultraviolet rays are irradiated onto the substrate surface in an ozone atmosphere, plasma is irradiated onto the substrate surface, or the substrate surface is cleaned by a chemical solution containing hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: It is possible to gain a large magnetization difference, and hence obtain a large mechanical or electric energy output, even with a small difference between the heating and cooling temperature for a magnetic body whose magnetization varies with temperature. There is provided a thermal engine or power generator using a magnetic body which converts heat to a mechanical or an electric energy by cycling heating and cooling the magnetic body, wherein energy is obtained by cycling heating and cooling a temperature-sensitive magnetic material.

Abstract: A material sensing apparatus detects the material (type) of an object, e.g., a recording medium, using a heat source which heats at least a portion of an object, a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of a portion of the object, a memory element which stores data on the relationship between temperature and type of object, and a determination element which determines the type of the object based on the measurement result of the temperature sensor and the data in the memory element. The temperature sensor measures the temperature of a portion of the object at a predetermined distance from the portion heated by the heat source.

Abstract: A material sensing apparatus detects the material (type) of an object, e.g., a recording medium, using a heat source which heats at least a portion of an object, a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of a portion of the object, a memory element which stores data on the relationship between temperature and type of object, and a determination element which determines the type of the object based on the measurement result of the temperature sensor and the data in the memory element. The temperature sensor measures the temperature of a portion of the object at a predetermined distance from the portion heated by the heat source.

Abstract: A sheet material identifying device for identifying the kind of sheet material by applying vibration on the sheet material. The identifying device has a vibrator for applying vibration on the sheet material, a vibration sensor for detecting, via the sheet material, vibration applied by the vibrator, a device for changing a vibrating state between the vibrator and the vibration sensor, and an identifying section for identifying the kind of sheet material based on a detection result of the vibration sensor. Also, an image forming apparatus making use of the sheet material identifying device and a method of identifying the kind of sheet material are provided.

Abstract: A material sensing apparatus detects the material (type) of an object, e.g., a recording medium, using a heat source which heats at least a portion of an object, a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of a portion of the object, a memory element which stores data on the relationship between temperature and type of object, and a determination element which determines the type of the object based on the measurement result of the temperature sensor and the data in the memory element. The temperature sensor measures the temperature of a portion of the object at a predetermined distance from the portion heated by the heat source.