Abstract: A magneto-resistance effect element includes an oxide substrate having on its surface steps of atomic layer level and on the substrate an epitaxially grown ferromagnetic oxide thin film, the thin film formed on the atomic layer level steps having an antiphased domain boundary.

Abstract: A voltage nonlinear resistor of a sintered substance of a composite consisting essentially of zinc oxide and containing at least one rare earth element and at least one additional rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Y, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, and Bi and Sb. Spacing d.sub.n (.ANG.) provided from precipitation grains formed in zinc oxide grains or on a grain boundary lies in the range of 2.85 .ANG..ltoreq.d.sub.1 .ltoreq.2.91 .ANG., 1.83 .ANG..ltoreq.d.sub.2 .ltoreq.1.89 .ANG., 1.77 .ANG..ltoreq.d.sub.3 .ltoreq.1.82 .ANG., 1.56 .ANG..ltoreq.d.sub.4 .ltoreq.1.61 .ANG., 1.54 .ANG..ltoreq.d.sub.5 .ltoreq.1.60 .ANG.. The spacing mentioned here is a spacing obtained according to the Bragg condition in the X-ray diffraction method.

Abstract: A voltage-dependent non-linear resistor member, a method for producing the same, and an arrester equipped with the same. The member is produced by a process comprising the addition of at least one oxide of a rare earth element selected from Y, Ho, Er and Yb in an amount of 0.05-1.0 mol % in terms of R.sub.2 O.sub.3 to a composition which principally consists of zinc oxide and contains bismuth oxide. The member has excellent non-linearity and a high varistor valtage. Further, the arrester has very small size and improved protective properties.

Abstract: A voltage-dependent non-linear resistor member, a method for producing the same, and an arrester equipped with the same. The member is produced by a process comprising the addition of at least one oxide of a rare earth element selected from Y, Ho, Er and Yb in an amount of 0.05-1.0 mol % in terms of R.sub.2 O.sub.3 to a composition which principally consists of zinc oxide and contains bismuth oxide. The member has excellent non-linearity and a high varistor valtage. Further, the arrester has very small size and improved protective properties.

Abstract: A composition for electric material containing as a primary component zinc oxide. The composition further contains at least one of rare-earth elements in a range of 0.01 mol % to 3.0 mol % in terms of oxide thereof given by R.sub.2 O.sub.3 where R represents generally the rare-earth elements, and aluminum in a range of 0.0005 mol % to 0.005 mol % in terms of aluminum oxide given by Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The composition is suited for manufacturing a resistance element whose varistor voltage can be increased over a whole current range without being accompanied with any appreciable degradation in flatness ratio of a voltage-versus-current characteristic.