Abstract: The preparation apparatus 4 determines the target distribution of the amount of polishing on the basis of the film thickness of the wafer 2 measured by the measuring apparatus 3. The preparation apparatus 4 assumes a control program for the purpose of controlling the polishing apparatus 1, and predicts the distribution of the amount of polishing that is obtained after the wafer 2 is polished by the polishing apparatus 1 in accordance with the assumed control program. In this case, the amount of polishing in individual partial regions of the polished surface of the wafer 2 is predicted using an indicator that indicates the height distribution of the polishing surface of the polishing pad 14 (when no pressure is applied to this polishing pad) as one parameter. The preparation apparatus 4 judges the acceptability of the assumed control program by comparing the predicted distribution of the amount of polishing and the target distribution of the amount of polishing.

Abstract: The preparation apparatus 4 determines the target distribution of the amount of polishing on the basis of the film thickness of the wafer 2 measured by the measuring apparatus 3. The preparation apparatus 4 assumes a control program for the purpose of controlling the polishing apparatus 1, and predicts the distribution of the amount of polishing that is obtained after the wafer 2 is polished by the polishing apparatus 1 in accordance with the assumed control program. In this case, the amount of polishing in individual partial regions of the polished surface of the wafer 2 is predicted using an indicator that indicates the height distribution of the polishing surface of the polishing pad 14 (when no pressure is applied to this polishing pad) as one parameter. The preparation apparatus 4 judges the acceptability of the assumed control program by comparing the predicted distribution of the amount of polishing and the target distribution of the amount of polishing.

Abstract: A liquid crystal element includes a liquid crystal having a molecular orientation varying according to an applied voltage, first upper and lower electrodes which are opposed in plane to each other and between which the liquid crystal is interposed, and second upper and lower electrodes which are not opposed in plane to each other and between which the liquid crystal is interposed. Phasic variations of the liquid crystal element are obtained by means of a first electric field which is impressed on the liquid crystal by applying a first voltage between the first upper and lower electrodes and a second electric filed which is generated by applying between the second upper and lower electrodes a second voltage which differs from the first voltage.

Abstract: A focusing plate comprising two base plates, a liquid crystal layer held between the two base plates, and an electrode pattern which is formed on each of the two base plates for the purpose of rotating the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer by applying an electrical field to the liquid crystal layer; the electrode pattern being so formed that, when the electrical field is applied, the liquid crystal molecules are rotated by the leakage electrical fields from the electrode pattern to form a phase-type diffraction grating in the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A focusing screen for observing an image formed by an objective lens is constructed of a liquid crystal layer, having a dynamic scattering effect, sandwiched between a pair of parallel transparent electrodes. At least one of the transparent electrodes is divided into a plurality of discrete parts. The discrete electrode parts are connected as independent groups through a switch mechanism to a driving circuit. The switch mechanism permits one or more of the groups to act as different elements in response to an applied voltage, depending on the F value of the lens. Accordingly, the scattering degree of the focusing screen varies as a function of the F value and not the applied voltage.

Abstract: A display device includes a non-luminescent type display element (an electro-chromic display element) which changes concentration with a voltage applied thereto, and a self-luminescent type display element (an electro-luminescent display element) which emits light according as a voltage is applied thereto. The two display elements are laminated together and formed, one as a color forming layer and the other as a luminescent layer, into a desired shape for visual observation. The laminated display elements are arranged in a visually observable display part of the display device.

Abstract: An optical phase filter includes a liquid crystal layer whose configuration changes between the homogeneous and homeotropic configurations depending upon whether or not an electric field is applied thereacross. A pair of transparent electrodes apply the electric field to the liquid crystal layer. At least one of the transparent electrodes is provided with a great number of holes distributed at random over its entire surface, whereby the optical performance and particularly the MTF value of the light passing through the liquid crystal layer due to the double-refracting property of the liquid crystal layer is made variable.

Abstract: A camera for making photographs with special effects comprising a photographic optical system having a path of light for forming an object image on an image receiver, a finder optical system having an optical path for observing a special effect filter arranged in the photographic optical path to bring about a special portrayal effect on the image of the object, and an auxiliary filter having a different characteristic from that of the special effect filter and arranged in the observing optical path to bring about a special effect on the object image to be observed.

Abstract: A blur detecting device comprises a plurality of photo-electric converter elements which are arranged in different positions to receive light from an object and to convert quantities of light received into quantities of electricity. Electric charge storing elements are included which store the quantities of electricity obtained from the photo-electric converter elements. A computing circuit in the blur detecting device obtains the ratio of the quantities of electricity stored at the electric charge storing elements. An indicating circuit compares signals produced from the computing circuit at different lengths of light receiving time and indicates a blurred state of the light received from the object.

Abstract: A diffusing plate having a smooth rough surface is obtained by recording on a photosensitive material the image of a mask having a regular fine pattern thereon, treating the photosensitive material to thereby obtain a photosensitive material having smooth roughness, transferring the smooth roughness of the treated photosensitive material to a metal mold, and embossing plastics on the metal mold.

Abstract: This application relates to a diffusion plate having microlens-like curved surfaces of a size of 10 to several tens of .mu.m arranged periodically in two dimensions on the surface of the substrate thereof. Curved surfaces are formed between the microlens-like curved surfaces. Further, irregularly arranged minute concave and/or convex surfaces are formed on the microlens-like curved surfaces.

Abstract: A focussing plate for photographic cameras, etc. which is constructed with a multitude of micro-lens shaped curved surfaces arranged on a substrate surface at a space interval among them of from 5 to 30 .mu.m, and other curved surfaces arranged in the boundary spaces among these micro-lens shaped curved surfaces having a curvature just opposite to that of the micro-lens shaped curved surfaces.

Abstract: An improved output unit used in recording information on a recording medium is disclosed which comprises a plurality of output parts and in which recording of information is carried out while changing the relative position between the output from the output parts and the recording medium. The improved output unit according to the invention is characterized in that the output parts are arranged in rows in a predetermined direction and are disposed in such a manner that information may be put out selectively from the output parts so as to prevent information from being recorded in overlapping fashion on the recording medium in a manner as often occurs in the conventional unit. Spacing between the output parts is selected large enough that the output parts are easy to manufacture. Since a plurality of output parts can be operated very effectively, extremely high recording efficiency is achieved using the information output unit according to the invention.