Abstract: An exhaust manifold connected to exhaust ports of at least three straightly-arranged cylinders of an internal combustion engine is constructed by a primary exhaust pipe which extends from the foremost cylinder of the cylinders in the rearward direction of the engine along the direction of the straight arrangement of the cylinders and a plurality of secondary exhaust pipes which extend from the other cylinders except for the foremost cylinder to the primary exhaust pipe. The secondary exhaust pipes are collected to the primary exhaust pipe so that downstream end portions of the secondary exhaust pipes are wound into the center axis of the primary exhaust pipe at a plurality of points on the center axis, respectively.

Abstract: A quantum dot manipulating method and a generation/manipulation apparatus are provided which can control the size of a large number of generated quantum dots on or below the order of percent which is required for optical applications of the dots. Quantum dots are generated by shining a dot production laser (4a) onto a solid object (3) in a quantum dot production/manipulation apparatus (1) containing superfluid helium (7) therein. A dot manipulation laser (5a) is shone onto the generated quantum dots to manipulate the quantum dots.

Abstract: A laser device which causes lasing with a use of a semiconductor quantum dot is provided with: a laser member (11) in which the semiconductor quantum dot is formed; a resonator (14) for resonating light generated in the laser member (11); and a pump laser (15) for irradiating the laser member (11) with excitation light whose energy corresponds to two-photon resonant excitation, so as to form a biexciton state in the semiconductor quantum dot by the two-photon resonant excitation. In this way, a laser device which enables lasing using efficient light emission is realized.

Abstract: A light-waveform measuring device and method include a complex-refractive-index measuring device and a computer-program recording medium An electric field of an electromagnetic wave, in a light region having wavelengths smaller than those of electromagnetic waves in a near-infrared region, is measured, and time-varying waveforms are outputted. Gate-pulse-light generating means, measurement-light generating means and light-detecting means for detecting measurement light, are included, The measurement light is coherent light having a wavelength smaller than those of a near-infrared region. The gate pulse light is coherent light with a pulse width smaller than a period of the measurement light. A physical quantity, based on carriers generated from the measurement light and the gate pulse light is measured.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold connected to exhaust ports of at least three straightly-arranged cylinders of an internal combustion engine is constructed by a primary exhaust pipe which extends from the foremost cylinder of the cylinders in the rearward direction of the engine along the direction of the straight arrangement of the cylinders and a plurality of secondary exhaust pipes which extend from the other cylinders except for the foremost cylinder to the primary exhaust pipe. The secondary exhaust pipes are collected to the primary exhaust pipe so that downstream end portions of the secondary exhaust pipes are wound into the center axis of the primary exhaust pipe at a plurality of points on the center axis, respectively.

Abstract: A CaF2 buffer layer (3) is formed on a CaF2 (111) substrate (2) by an MBE method. Furthermore, a CuCl thin film is grown on the CaF2 buffer layer (3) by the MBE method while irradiating it with an electron beam to form an electro beam irradiation film (1a). Subsequently, a CuCl thin film is grown by the MBE method without the irradiation of electron beam to form an electron beam non-irradiation film (1b), thereby thus forming a CuCl thin film (a) including the electron beam irradiation film (1a) and the electron beam non-irradiation film (1b). Consequently, a CuCl thin film (1) exhibiting high planarity and crystallinity can be formed.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold connected to exhaust ports of at least three straightly-arranged cylinders of an internal combustion engine is constructed by a primary exhaust pipe which extends from the foremost cylinder of the cylinders in the rearward direction of the engine along the direction of the straight arrangement of the cylinders and a plurality of secondary exhaust pipes which extend from the other cylinders except for the foremost cylinder to the primary exhaust pipe. The secondary exhaust pipes are collected to the primary exhaust pipe so that downstream end portions of the secondary exhaust pipes are wound into the center axis of the primary exhaust pipe at a plurality of points on the center axis, respectively.

Abstract: A quantum dot manipulating method and a generation/manipulation apparatus are provided which can control the size of a large number of generated quantum dots on or below the order of percent which is required for optical applications of the dots. Quantum dots are generated by shining a dot production laser (4a) onto a solid object (3) in a quantum dot production/manipulation apparatus (1) containing superfluid helium (7) therein. A dot manipulation laser (5a) is shone onto the generated quantum dots to manipulate the quantum dots.

Abstract: A quantum dot manipulating method and a generation/manipulation apparatus are provided which can control the size of a large number of generated quantum dots on or below the order of percent which is required for optical applications of the dots. Quantum dots are generated by shining a dot production laser (4a) onto a solid object (3) in a quantum dot production/manipulation apparatus (1) containing superfluid helium (7) therein. A dot manipulation laser (5a) is shone onto the generated quantum dots to manipulate the quantum dots.

Abstract: In an exhaust manifold of a four-cylinder engine four cylinders of which line up in order of cylinder #1, cylinder #2, cylinder #3 and cylinder #4, temperature rise performance of a manifold catalyst improves by shortening a total length of the exhaust manifold while preventing exhaust gas interference between the cylinders. Therefore, an exhaust manifold branch of cylinder #1 and an exhaust manifold branch of cylinder #4 in outward sides of the engine that are not fired in succession are made convergent with its convergence angle ?1 being equal to or below 20 degrees to form a first convergent exhaust manifold branch and an exhaust manifold branch of cylinder #2 and an exhaust manifold branch of cylinder # 3 between the cylinder #1 and cylinder #4 that are not fired in succession are made convergent at a minimum distance having a laterally projected shape to form a second convergent exhaust manifold branch.

Abstract: A laser device which causes lasing with a use of a semiconductor quantum dot is provided with: a laser member (11) in which the semiconductor quantum dot is formed; a resonator (14) for resonating light generated in the laser member (11); and a pump laser (15) for irradiating the laser member (11) with excitation light whose energy corresponds to two-photon resonant excitation, so as to form a biexciton state in the semiconductor quantum dot by the two-photon resonant excitation. In this way, a laser device which enables lasing using efficient light emission is realized.

Abstract: An internal-combustion engine is disclosed in which a pair of inlet valves and a pair of outlet valves are provided within the combustion chamber formed in each of a row of cylinders. A first ignition plug is disposed in the cylinder head within a central area of the combustion chamber in plan view. Second and third ignition plugs are disposed in the cylinder head at opposite peripheral portions of the combustion chamber positioned approximately along the first axis direction in plan view, the second and third ignition plugs are arranged so that the discharge electrode portions of the second and third ignition plugs being inclined inwardly of the combustion chamber in opposite directions and are substantially symmetrical relative with the first ignition plug in plan view. A line intersecting the discharge electrode portions of the second and third ignition plugs forms an oblique angle with the direction of the row of cylinders in plan view.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon trapping layer (25) is formed by coating a hydrocarbon trapping material onto a carrier (21A). A number of exhaust gas passages (34) are formed in the carrier (21A) and a plurality of slits (22) are formed on the carrier (21A) to cross the passages (24) in a transverse orientation. The slits (22) delay temperature increases in the downstream hydrocarbon trapping layer (25) and delay the release of trapped hydrocarbons therefrom. This is due to blocking the transmission of heat to the downstream hydrocarbon trapping layer (25) from the upstream hydrocarbon trapping layer (25). The slits (22) further produce a turbulent flow in the flow of exhaust gas and promote diffusion of exhaust gas over the entire surface of the carrier (21A).

Abstract: An internal-combustion engine is disclosed in which a pair of inlet valves and a pair of outlet valves are provided within the combustion chamber formed in each of a row of cylinders. A first ignition plug is disposed in the cylinder head within a central area of the combustion chamber in plan view. Second and third ignition plugs are disposed in the cylinder head at opposite peripheral portions of the combustion chamber positioned approximately along the first axis direction in plan view, the second and third ignition plugs are arranged so that the discharge electrode portions of the second and third ignition plugs being inclined inwardly of the combustion chamber in opposite directions and are substantially symmetrical relative with the first ignition plug in plan view. A line intersecting the discharge electrode portions of the second and third ignition plugs forms an oblique angle with the direction of the row of cylinders in plan view.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-waveform measuring device and its measuring method, a complex-refractive-index measuring device and its measuring method, and a computer-program recording medium having programs for the same stored therein. It is an object of the present invention to measure an electric field of an electromagnetic wave in a light region having wavelengths smaller than those of electromagnetic waves in a near-infrared region and output time-varying waveforms thereof. It is also an object of the present invention to enable easily obtaining a complex refractive index of a material, on the basis of the result of measurement of the electric-field waveform of light.

Abstract: A catalytic converter is interposed in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine. In the converter, a plurality of carriers are disposed in series with gaps. Each carrier comprises a hydrocarbon trapping layer, a three-way catalyst layer and a number of passages facing the three-way catalyst layer. The gaps interrupts heat transfer between the carriers in order to retard temperature increase in the hydrocarbon trapping layer and promotes a turbulence in exhaust gas flow in the converter in order to homogenize the exhaust gas dispersion in a radial direction, thereby enhancing the hydrocarbon purification performance of the converter.

Abstract: A quantum dot manipulating method and a generation/manipulation apparatus are provided which can control the size of a large number of generated quantum dots on or below the order of percent which is required for optical applications of the dots. Quantum dots are generated by shining a dot production laser (4a) onto a solid object (3) in a quantum dot production/manipulation apparatus (1) containing superfluid helium (7) therein. A dot manipulation laser (5a) is shone onto the generated quantum dots to manipulate the quantum dots.

Abstract: A CaF2 buffer layer (3) is formed on a CaF2 (111) substrate (2) by an MBE method. Furthermore, a CuCl thin film is grown on the CaF2 buffer layer (3) by the MBE method while irradiating it with an electron beam to form an electro beam irradiation film (1a). Subsequently, a CuCl thin film is grown by the MBE method without the irradiation of electron beam to form an electron beam non-irradiation film (1b), thereby thus forming a CuCl thin film (a) including the electron beam irradiation film (1a) and the electron beam non-irradiation film (1b). Consequently, a CuCl thin film (1) exhibiting high planarity and crystallinity can be formed.

Abstract: A fuel property determination system for an internal combustion engine is arranged to determine a fuel property indicative that fuel in use is heavy or light, on the basis of a degree of change of a revolution speed during a period from an expansion stroke of a first fuel injection cylinder at engine start to an expansion stroke of a final fuel injection cylinder in a first round as to all cylinders of the engine.

Abstract: In an exhaust manifold of a four-cylinder engine four cylinders of which line up in order of cylinder #1, cylinder # 2, cylinder # 3 and cylinder #4, temperature rise performance of a manifold catalyst improves by shortening a total length of the exhaust manifold while preventing exhaust gas interference between the cylinders. Therefore, an exhaust manifold branch of cylinder # 1 and an exhaust manifold branch of cylinder # 4 in outward sides of the engine that are not fired in succession are made convergent with its convergence angle ?1 being equal to or below 20 degrees to form a first convergent exhaust manifold branch and an exhaust manifold branch of cylinder # 2 and an exhaust manifold branch of cylinder # 3 between the cylinder # 1 and cylinder # 4 that are not fired in succession are made convergent at a minimum distance having a laterally projected shape to form a second convergent exhaust manifold branch.