Abstract: A sheet switch module of the present invention includes a light source; a light guide having a first end-face on which light emitted from the light source is incident, the light guide guiding the light in at least the thickness direction thereof; a sheet switch disposed on the back side of the light guide in the thickness direction of the light guide; and a light shielding member disposed at a distance from a second end-face different from the first end-face of the light guide.

Abstract: A card connector (1) includes a housing (10) having a card insertion opening at its front end into which a card (3) is inserted in a card insertion/removal direction and a metallic cover (30) for covering top and side faces of the housing (10). The housing has a pair of side walls (12a, 12b) extending in the card insertion/removal direction. The cover (30) has a protective member (70, 71) at the card insertion opening for protecting at least a portion of a front end of at least one of the side walls (12a, 12b).

Abstract: An optical device comprises a first refractive index distribution (RID) type lens, having one end face ground diagonally, first and second ports connected to the diagonally ground end face, an optical functional element connected to another end face of the first RID type lens, a second RID type lens, having one end face ground diagonally, and another end face placed so as to face the end face of the first RID type lens through the optical functional element, and a third port connected to the diagonally ground end face. An optical path from the first port reflected by the optical functional element to the second port, wherein the optical path length of the reflected light through the first RID type lens is equal to an optical path length of transmitted light from the first port through the optical functional element through the second RID type lens to the third port.

Abstract: An optical functional component is provided in which alignment of optical fibers is simplified, a gap between an end face of the optical fiber and an end face of a lens is minimized, and stability of performance is improved. An optical functional component comprises a first refractive index distribution type lens, one end face of which is ground diagonally, first and second ports connected to the diagonally ground end face, an optical functional element connected to an other end face of the first refractive index distribution type lens, a second refractive index distribution type lens, one end face of which is ground diagonally, and another end face placed so as to face the end face of the first refractive index distribution type lens through the optical functional element, and a third port connected to the diagonally ground end face.

Abstract: Process for producing a hydrochloride of a vancomycin antibiotic, comprising subjecting an aqueous solution of a hydrochloride of a vancomycin antibiotic to a primary freezing at from −1° C. to −20° C. for a time sufficient to grow ice crystals, to form a primarily frozen substance, then subjecting said primarily frozen substance to a secondary freezing at from −25° C. to −80° C. to form a completely frozen solid, and then drying the resulting frozen solid in vacuo; and product obtained by the process.