Abstract: The present invention provides a DLC film that functions as an optical element and that can easily be miniaturized or integrated, and a method for forming the DLC film. A DLC film that has a refractive index varying continuously in at least one width direction from the center O of the DLC film. More specifically, a DLC film in which the refractive index decreases continuously in at least one width direction from the center O of the DLC film, and thereby the DLC film functions as a convex lens. A DLC film in which the refractive index increases continuously in at least one width direction from the center of the DLC film, and thereby the DLC film functions as a concave lens. A DLC film that has a refractive index varying continuously in the thickness direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple and low-cost flat microlens that can be used in various optical fields in a mechanically and thermally stable manner. A microlens is formed using a transparent DLC film (41). The DLC film (41) includes regions (Rmn) with graded indices of refraction. When a light beam passes through a region with graded indices of refraction, the light is focused.

Abstract: A composite substance for forming a conductive paste, comprises a solvent and metal or metal compound particles. The solvent is compatible with an organic component included in the conductive paste, and the metal or metal compound particles are dried metal or metal compound particles having the second solvent adhering to the surface thereof. The conductive paste comprises an organic vehicle, a solvent, and the composite substance which is mixed with the organic vehicle and the solvent. The method for manufacturing the composite substance comprises the steps of washing metal or metal compound particles with water, adding a solvent that is compatible with an organic component included in the conductive paste, thereby replacing water components, and drying the metal or metal compound particles having the solvent adhering to the surface thereof.

Abstract: An amorphous carbon film is provided with a density of 2.8-3.3 g/cm3. It would be preferable for the film to have: a spin density of 1×1018-1×1021 spins/cm3; a carbon concentration of at least 99.5 atomic percentage; a hydrogen concentration of no more than 0.5 atomic percentage; an inert gas element concentration of no more than 0.5 atomic percentage; and a Knoop hardness of 3000-7000. A mixed layer with a thickness of at least 0.5 nm and no more than 10 nm is formed from a parent material and at least material selected from: B, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, and W. An amorphous carbon film is disposed on the mixed layer or a metallic intermediate layer formed on the mixed layer, thereby increasing adhesion. This amorphous carbon film is formed with solid carbon using sputtering, cathode-arc ion plating, or laser abrasion.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 having dielectric layers 2 and internal electrode layers 3 formed using a conductor paste, wherein the conductor paste contains a conductive material, the conductive material is comprised of a first ingredient and second ingredient, the first ingredient includes metal elements having Ni as a main ingredient, and the second ingredient includes a metal element dissolving in the first ingredient and having a melting point of 1490° C. or more.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shim or a valve lifter for an automotive engine valve driving system that slides against a cam lobe of a camshaft to drive an intake/exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine. The shim or lifter has the top of a sliding surface thereof opposing the cam lobe and being coated with a hard carbon film. The hard carbon film has a surface hardness of 1500 to 4500 kg/mm2 in terms of Knoop hardness, a thickness of 0.3 to 2.0 ?m and a surface roughness Ry (?m) satisfying the following equation (A): Ry<{(0.75?Hk/8000)×h+0.07/0.8}??(A) where h is the thickness (?m) of the hard carbon film; and Hk is the knoop hardness (kg/mm2) of the hard carbon film. By imparting durability, reliability and a low friction coefficient to the hard carbon film that is said to be low in ductility to prevent the hard carbon film from becoming cracked and separated when applied to the sliding portion.

Abstract: A composite substance for forming a conductive paste, comprises a solvent being compatible with an organic component included in the conductive paste, and metal particles wetted by the solvent. The conductive paste comprises an organic binder, the composite substance and an organic solvent mixed with the organic binder and the composite substance. The method for manufacturing the composite substance comprises the step of adding the solvent to undried metal particles having been washed with water, the solvent being compatible with the organic binder included in the conductive paste and incompatible with water so that the water is replaced by the solvent. The method for manufacturing the conductive paste comprises the step of mixing an organic binder and an organic solvent with the composite substance.

Abstract: A conductive paste used for forming internal electrodes of a multilayer ceramic electronic device, used in combination with ceramic green sheets, each containing a butyral resin and having a thickness of 5 ?m or less, and including a conductive powder and an organic vehicle, a solvent in said organic vehicle having terpineol acetate as its main ingredient, whereby there is little change in viscosity along with time and no occurrence of sheet attack.

Abstract: A ceramic electronic element having improved the continuity of inner electrode layers while suppressing the decrease in adhesion between its dielectric layers and inner electrode layers and the deterioration in functions of the inner electrode layers, and a method of making the same are provided. In the method of making a ceramic capacitor (10) in accordance with the present invention, an electrode paste (22) is applied to a surface (20a) of a green sheet (20) and fired, so as to form a dielectric layer (12) laminated with an electrode layer (14). Since the electrode paste (22) is doped with a BaTiO3 powder, the adhesion between the dielectric layer (22) and inner electrode layer (14) after firing is significantly restrained from lowering, and the sintering start temperature of the electrode paste (22) is close to that of the green sheet (20).

Abstract: For machine parts, cutting tools and molds used under extremely high contact pressures, an amorphous carbon film is provided which has a sufficient adhesion to a substrate. The amorphous carbon covered member has an interlayer comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements in the IVa, Va, VIa and IIIb groups and the IVb group except carbon in the periodic table, or a carbide of at least one element selected from the group, and an amorphous carbon film formed on the interlayer. The interlayer has a thickness of 0.5 nm or over and less than 10 nm.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of conductive paste comprising arranging process (S20 to S23) of ceramics particles, arranging process (S10 to S14) of wetted metal particles, forming process (S30) of slurry wherein metal particles and ceramics particles are mixed and dispersion treatment process (S32) by applying collision to the slurry. The arranging process of wetted metal particles comprises, a process (S12) of adding solvent, compatible with organic component in conductive paste and incompatible with water, to undried water washed metal particles, a process (S18) of adding surfactant, a process (S14) of separating water from the metal particles and a process (S15) of adding acetone or the other second solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shim or a valve lifter for an automotive engine valve driving system that slides against a cam lobe of a camshaft to drive an intake/exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine. The shim or lifter has the top of a sliding surface thereof opposing the cam lobe and being coated with a hard carbon film. The hard carbon film has a surface hardness of 1500 to 4500 kg/mm2 in terms of Knoop hardness, a thickness of 0.3 to 2.

Abstract: A composite substance for forming a conductive paste, comprises a solvent and metal or metal compound particles. The solvent is compatible with an organic component included in the conductive paste, and the metal or metal compound particles are dried metal or metal compound particles having the second solvent adhering to the surface thereof. The conductive paste comprises an organic vehicle, a solvent, and the composite substance which is mixed with the organic vehicle and the solvent. The method for manufacturing the composite substance comprises the steps of washing metal or metal compound particles with water, adding a solvent that is compatible with an organic component included in the conductive paste, thereby replacing water components, and drying the metal or metal compound particles having the solvent adhering to the surface thereof.

Abstract: A composite substance for forming a conductive paste, comprises a solvent being compatible with an organic component included in the conductive paste, and metal particles wetted by the solvent. The conductive paste comprises an organic binder, the composite substance and an organic solvent mixed with the organic binder and the composite substance. The method for manufacturing the composite substance comprises the step of adding the solvent to undried metal particles having been washed with water, the solvent being compatible with the organic binder included in the conductive paste and incompatible with water so that the water is replaced by the solvent. The method for manufacturing the conductive paste comprises the step of mixing an organic binder and an organic solvent with the composite substance.

Abstract: For machine parts, cutting tools and molds used under extremely high contact pressures, an amorphous carbon film is provided which has a sufficient adhesion to a substrate. The amorphous carbon covered member has an interlayer comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements in the IVa, Va, VIa and IIIb groups and the IVb group except carbon in the periodic table, or a carbide of at least one element selected from the group, and an amorphous carbon film formed on the interlayer. The interlayer has a thickness of 0.5 nm or over and less than 10 nm.