Abstract: This invention relates to optical sensing technology to measure and control a physical quantity of an object that exists on or within a microstructure object, utilizing Brillouin scattering decreases. The measurement method prepares an optical waveguide one-, two- or three-dimensionally, on or within a micro-chemical chip, IC chip, or other element, and measures a physical quantity of the object on the basis of a property variation of light attributed to Brillouin scattering occurring in the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A food inspection apparatus of the present invention, which allows the improvement of throughput, comprises a light source unit 10 for irradiating near-infrared light to an irradiation range including an inspection object 90; a detection range setting means 60 for setting a detection scope in the irradiation range; a detector unit 20 having a plurality of photodetectors for receiving light such that the light caused in the detection scope by the irradiation is detected repeatedly at intervals of given time; an analyzer unit 30 for extracting a plurality of features by analyzing a signal group which the detector unit 20 outputs according to the detected light intensity; and a display unit 40 for displaying the plurality of features as images.

Abstract: A food inspection apparatus of the present invention, which allows throughput improvement, comprises a light source unit 10 for irradiating near-infrared light to an irradiation range including an inspection object 90; a detector unit 20 having a plurality of photodetectors for receiving light such that the light caused in the irradiation range by the irradiation is detected repeatedly at intervals of given time; an analyzer unit 40 for extracting a plurality of features out of the signal groups output by the detector unit 20 according to the detected light intensity; and a display unit 40 for displaying the plurality of features as images.

Abstract: A method of inspecting food which can evaluate quality of the food with improved precision includes steps of irradiating probing light having near infrared wavelengths on the food; detecting light diffusively reflected by the food to obtain a reflectance spectrum; obtaining an absorbance spectrum based on the reflectance spectrum; and evaluating the food using the reflectance spectrum and the absorbance spectrum. An apparatus for implementing the method includes: a light source unit to generate probing light which has near infrared wavelengths and illuminates the food; a detector unit to detect light diffusively reflected by the food to obtain a reflectance spectrum of the food; and a processing unit to evaluate the food based on the reflectance spectrum and an absorbance spectrum calculated from the reflectance spectrum.

Abstract: A food inspection apparatus 1 or 2 includes a light source or a plurality of light sources 10 that outputs near infrared light L1, and a detector unit 20 that measures a diffuse reflectance spectrum of light which is the near infrared light L1 and is diffusively reflected from an object 50 from among. The light source 10 and a detector unit 20 are arranged such that an angle defined by an optical path L2, along which the near infrared light is regularly reflected at a surface of the object, or an optical path L5, along which the near infrared light is transmitted through the object, and a straight line L3 or L6 connecting an irradiation position P1 or P2 on the surface of the object irradiated with the near infrared light and the detector unit 20, is 45 degrees or greater.

Abstract: A refrigerant compressor having a compression element comprising sliding components made of metallic materials, wherein a mixed layer is formed by solid-dissolving molybdenum disulfide in at least one of the sliding faces of the sliding components, and a single molybdenum disulfide layer is further formed on the surface of the mixed layer. With this configuration, initial break-in is done using the single layer, and sliding loss is reduced. Even if the single layer peels off, because the molybdenum disulfide of the mixed layer is cleaved at a low friction coefficient, solid lubrication action is attained, the friction coefficient of the sliding section is lowered, and sliding loss is reduced.

Abstract: The hermetic compressor has grooves provided at an upper side and a lower side of outer circumference of a piston. Of outer shape of the grooves, the outer shape of the grooves communicating with a space in the hermetic container at least when the piston is in a bottom dead center is a shape not forming parallel line to an axial center of the piston when the grooves are developed in a plane.

Abstract: The optical multiplexer/demultiplexer 100 includes a member 110 on which optical waveguides 111 to 114 and a groove 115 are formed and an optical filter 120 inserted in the groove 115. The member 110 is a planar optical waveguide where the optical waveguides 111 to 114 are formed on one surface thereof, and the groove 115 is formed thereon. Before the groove 115 is formed, the optical wave guide 111 and the optical waveguide 114 are a continuous optical waveguide; and the optical waveguide 112 and the optical waveguide 113 are a continuous optical waveguide. A straight groove 115 is formed so as to go through an intersecting point of the two continuous optical waveguides. The optical waveguides 111 and 114 are formed straightly on the member 110.

Abstract: A compressor is operable to compress refrigerant at a variable operation frequency. According to a method of controlling the compressor, the compressor starts operating, and just after that, the compressor operates at a first frequency for a first period of time. Just after that, the compressor operates at a second frequency lower than the first frequency for a second period of time longer than the first period, and after that, the compressor operates at an ordinary operation. This method does not cause the compressor to generate an abnormal noise or obstruction to lubrication.

Abstract: A refrigerant compressor includes a compressor section, driver, a first contact section and a second contact section. The compressor section is accommodated in a closed container for compressing refrigerant gas. The driver drives the compressor section. The first and second contact sections are brought into contact with each other or they slide with each other by driving the compressor section. On the surface of each one of the contact sections, at least one of plural recesses uniformly placed or a mixed layer, to which molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is bound, is formed. The foregoing structure allows increasing the abrasion resistance of the first and second contact sections.

Abstract: An optical variable attenuator 1 has a planar waveguide 2 and an actuator structure 3. The planar waveguide 2 is provided with an input optical waveguide core 4A for input of an optical signal, an output optical waveguide core 4B for outputting an optical signal from the optical waveguide core 4A, and an a movable mirror optical waveguide core 4C for guiding light that does not enter the optical waveguide core 4B, out of the optical signal from the optical waveguide core 4A. The actuator structure 3 has a movable mirror 7 for reflecting the optical signal emerging from the input optical waveguide core 4A, toward the output optical waveguide core 4B. A light receiving device 10 for receiving light passing the optical waveguide core 4C is provided at one end face of the planar waveguide 2.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer is provided with a first member, a second member and an optical filter. The first member is a planar waveguide and is formed with an optical waveguide and another optical waveguide. The second member is a planar waveguide and is formed with an optical waveguide and another optical waveguide. The optical filter is a dielectric multi-layered filter and is sandwiched between the end face of the first member and the end face of the second member.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a first optical path having a first optical axis, a second optical path having a second optical axis not parallel to the first optical axis, and a mirror arranged to move across a bisector of an angle between the first and second optical axes. The mirror has a surface including a reflecting portion for reflecting light from the first path toward the second path. The reflecting portion has an edge including a linear portion placed on a plane substantially perpendicular to the bisector. The linear portion is inclined relative to a normal to a plane including the first and second optical axes.

Abstract: A micro reactor includes a filter 2 having a plurality of fine pores; a plurality of compartments 3a and 3b formed by the filter; and an element which enables a material passing through the fine pores to be transferred between the compartments, wherein the element which enables the material to be transferred between the compartments 3a and 3b can change surface tension of the material. In addition, volume of the material contained in the compartments 3a and 3b may change. In addition, the change in the surface tension of the material is carried out by selectively irradiating or not-irradiating light onto the surface thereof by using the filter 2 having a titan oxide surface. In addition, the change in the volume of the material contained in the compartments 3a and 3b is carried out by using light, heat, electricity, or magnetism.

Abstract: A hermetic electric compressor is capable of efficiently pumping up a necessary amount of lubricating oil even at low-speed rotation and has a simple constitution to provide an excellent workablity in assembling. The hermetic electric compressor includes an oil pump. The oil pump includes (i) a slanting channel formed in the lower portion of a main shaft and slanting from the lower portion to the upper portion thereof outwardly, (ii) a throttle formed at the bottom end of the main shaft and having an inlet port of diameter smaller than the section of the slanting channel at the center thereof, and (iii) a lower communicating passage for providing a communication between the bottom end of a spiral groove and the slanting channel. This constitution is capable of effectively lift the head of the lubricating oil.

Abstract: A hermetic compressor including a housing containing oil and a compression mechanism for compressing a refrigerant gas. In this configuration, a cylindrical piston has under cuts which do not communicate with at least a top surface at a cylinder side of the piston and are formed on an outer circumferential surface of the piston excluding a sliding surface existing in the axial direction of a piston pin and the perpendicular direction of the piston pin viewed from the axial direction of the piston, in which the under cuts communicate with space inside the housing in the vicinity of the bottom dead center. Since the sliding surface is provided in the direction parallel to and perpendicular to the axis, inclination of the piston in the vertical direction is suppressed and at the same time oil supply to the sliding portion through the under cuts is promoted. Therefore, the sealing property and lubricant property are improved, and thus high efficiency of the compressor can be realized.

Abstract: An optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention has an actuator structure. The actuator structure has a substrate, a stationary electrode, a movable electrode, an optical element, and a hole portion. The stationary electrode is provided on a surface of the substrate. The movable electrode is provided on the surface of the substrate. The optical element is provided on the movable electrode. The substrate faces the movable electrode. The hole portion is formed in a part of the substrate. A region near the movable electrode where the optical element is provided is immersed in a matching oil.

Abstract: The inclination of a reflecting surface of a mirror is adjusted such that light outputted from an input optical fiber is reflected by the mirror so as to be fed into an output optical fiber. The normal direction of the reflecting surface of the mirror vibrates about a predetermined direction at a predetermined frequency. A part of the light propagating through the output optical fiber is taken out by a light-branching part, so as to be received by a photodiode, whereby an electric signal having a value corresponding to thus received quantity of light is outputted from a detection circuit. Whether or not the electric signal includes a component of the predetermined frequency or whether the component is strong or weak is detected, whereby whether or not there is optical coupling from the input optical fiber to the output optical fiber or the extent thereof is determined.

Abstract: [Problems to be solved] To provide an optical switching device which can switch between input/output optical paths of input/output ports while suppressing the influence on optical signals passing through other input/output ports. [Means to solve problems] An optical switching device comprises an optical switch array 6 for switching between input/output paths of a plurality of input/output optical fibers. The optical switch array 6 comprises a substrate 8, on which a cantilever 11 is supported. A part of the cantilever 11 on the leading end side is provided with an annular support 12, which supports a movable mirror 7 inclinably. The movable mirror 7 reflects an optical signal from any of the input/output optical fibers toward another input/output optical fiber. The leading end of the cantilever 11 is provided with a comb part 14.

Abstract: A movable mirror device has a plurality of reflecting mirrors and a plurality of mirror drivers. The plurality of reflecting mirrors are reflecting mirrors to reflect signal light and are arranged in a one-dimensional direction along a predetermined plane. The plurality of mirror drivers are arranged two-dimensionally relative to the one-dimensional direction and individually drive the respective reflecting mirrors.