Abstract: A nonaqueous solvent for an electrical storage device according to the present invention includes fluorine-containing cyclic saturated hydrocarbon having a structure represented by the following general formula (1) in which one or two substituents R are introduced into a cyclohexane ring; a compound having a relative dielectric constant of 25 or higher; and a chain carbonate (in general formula (1), R is represented by CnX2n+1 where n is an integer of 1 or greater, at least one of (2n+1) pieces of X's is F, and the other X's are H).

Abstract: An ion beam system includes a sample stage which holds a sample, an ion source which generates an ion beam so that the ion beam is extracted from the ion source along an extraction axis, an irradiation optical system having an irradiation axis along which the ion beam is irradiated toward the sample held on the sample stage, and a charged particle beam observation system for observing a surface of the sample which is machined by the irradiated ion beam. The extraction axis along which the ion beam is extracted from the ion source and the irradiation axis along which the sample is irradiated are inclined with respect to one another.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, which reversibly inserts/extracts lithium ions includes a current collector (11) in which a concave portion (12) and a convex portion (13) are formed at least one surface thereof; and a columnar body (15) which is formed by laminating n (n?2) stages of columnar body portions which are obliquely erected on the convex portion (13) of the current collector (11) and in which a content ratio of elements sequentially vary in a longitudinal direction of the current collector (11), and has a configuration in which variation directions of content ratios of elements of odd-numbered stages of columnar body portions and even-numbered stages of columnar body portions are different from each other. At least three surfaces (13a, 13b, 13c) of the convex portion (13) in a section of the longitudinal direction are covered by the columnar body portions.

Abstract: An electron beam inspection apparatus images reflected electrons and cancels negative charging derived from electron-beam irradiation. Ultraviolet rays are irradiated and an irradiated area of ultraviolet rays is displayed as a photoelectron image. The photoelectron image and a reflected-electron image are displayed on a monitor while being superposed on each other, to easily grasp the positional relationship between the images and the difference in size between them. Specifically, the shape of the irradiated area of an electron beam includes the shape of the irradiated area of ultraviolet rays on a display screen. The intensity of the ultraviolet rays in the irradiated area of the electron beam is adjusted while the reflected-electron imaging conditions for the reflected-electron image are sustained.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical wave guide and a ferrule. The optical wave guide has a prespecified horizontal-positioning surface and a prespecified vertical-positioning surface. The ferrule is to precisely couple with the optical wave guide. The ferrule defines a first datum plane mating with the prespecified vertical-positioning surface of the optical wave guide to precisely mechanically vertically position the optical wave guide within the ferrule. The ferrule defines a second datum plane mating with the prespecified horizontal-positioning surface of the optical wave guide to precisely mechanically horizontally position the optical wave guide within the ferrule.

Abstract: An electron beam inspection apparatus images reflected electrons and cancels negative charging derived from electron-beam irradiation. Ultraviolet rays are irradiated and an irradiated area of ultraviolet rays is displayed as a photoelectron image. The photoelectron image and a reflected-electron image are displayed on a monitor while being superposed on each other, to easily grasp the positional relationship between the images and the difference in size between them. Specifically, the shape of the irradiated area of an electron beam includes the shape of the irradiated area of ultraviolet rays on a display screen. The intensity of the ultraviolet rays in the irradiated area of the electron beam is adjusted while the reflected-electron imaging conditions for the reflected-electron image are sustained.

Abstract: A negative electrode includes current collector in which concave portion and convex portion are formed at least one surface thereof, and columnar body which is formed by laminating n (n?2) stages of columnar body portions which are formed on convex portion of current collector, and includes columnar body portions in which variation direction of content ratios of elements of odd-numbered stages of columnar body portions and that of even-numbered stages of columnar body portions are different from each other, and plural protruding bodies are provided on the surfaces of columnar body portions at the side in which intersection angles between central lines of obliquely erected directions of columnar body portions and a central line of a thickness direction of current collector, and space is provided in columnar body by protruding bodies of the laminated columnar body portions.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to the present invention includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode which are capable of reversibly occluding and releasing lithium; a resin layer provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a battery case accommodating the positive electrode, the negative electrode and the resin layer; a nonaqueous electrolyte solution filling the battery case; and an insulating layer interposed, at least partially, between the positive electrode and the resin layer, the insulating layer containing aluminum fluoride.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical wave guide and a ferrule. The optical wave guide has a prespecified horizontal-positioning surface and a prespecified vertical-positioning surface. The ferrule is to precisely couple with the optical wave guide. The ferrule defines a first datum plane mating with the prespecified vertical-positioning surface of the optical wave guide to precisely mechanically vertically position the optical wave guide within the ferrule. The ferrule defines a second datum plane mating with the prespecified horizontal-positioning surface of the optical wave guide to precisely mechanically horizontally position the optical wave guide within the ferrule.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a charged particle beam device has an unlimitedly rotatable sample stage and an electric field control electrode for correcting electric field distortion at a sample peripheral part. A voltage is applied to a sample on the unlimitedly rotatable sample stage through a retarding electrode that is in contact with a holder receiver at a rotation center of a rotary stage. An equipotential plane on the electric field control electrode is varied by applying a voltage to the electric field control electrode, and following this the equipotential plane at a sample edge is corrected, which enables the sample to be observed as far as its edge.

Abstract: A negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising an alloy including silicon and a transition metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, vanadium, molybdenum, tungsten, iron, and nickel; and a silicon oxide film and an oxide film of the transition metal formed on a surface of the alloy wherein the alloy includes an A phase including silicon and a B phase including a crystalline alloy of silicon and the transition metal. The negative electrode material has a silicon oxide film and an oxide film of the transition metal on the surface of the alloy wherein the thickness ratio of the transition metal oxide film to the silicon oxide film is at least 0.44 and smaller than 1.

Abstract: There is a need for inspecting a heightwise variation in a sample. A holder holds a sample. A charge control unit charges the sample held by the holder. A retarding power supply applies a voltage to the sample held by the holder. An electro-optic system radiates an electron beam to the sample applied with a voltage by the retarding power supply and images a mirror electron returning near the surface of the sample. An image processing unit processes a mirror image resulting from imaging the mirror electron. The image processing unit outputs information corresponding to a difference between mirror images, i.e., a mirror image acquired by imaging the mirror electron and a mirror image for a prepared standard preparation, as a heightwise variation in a sample.

Abstract: This invention provides a catalyst for a fuel cell electrode, a process for producing a catalyst for a fuel cell electrode, a membrane electrode assembly, and a fuel cell, which are advantageous in suppressing aggregation of a carbon support such as carbon nanotubes, and in closely contacting the three of the carbon support, a catalyst component and an electrolyte component with each other. A catalyst for a fuel cell electrode contains a carbon support (e.g., CNTs) having a pi-conjugated system, an electrolyte component having an aromatic ring, and a catalyst component. A process for producing a catalyst for a fuel cell electrode. By contacting, in a solvent, a carbon support (e.g., CNTs) having a pi-conjugated system, an electrolyte component having an aromatic ring, and a catalyst component with each other, the carbon support can be modified with the electrolyte component and loaded with the catalyst component.

Abstract: A negative electrode for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery capable of reversible occlusion and release of lithium ions, comprising current collector (11) provided on at least one major surface thereof with depressed portion (12) and protrudent portion (13) and, superimposed on the protrudent portion (13) of the current collector (11), columnar body (15) composed of a laminate of n (n?2) layers of columnar body portions (16a,16b,16c) containing elements whose content ratio sequentially changes in the longitudinal direction of the current collector (11), wherein odd-numbered layers and even-numbered layers of the columnar body portions (16a,16b,16c) are different from each other in the direction of change of element content ratio.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, which reversibly inserts/extracts lithium ions includes a current collector (11) in which a concave portion (12) and a convex portion (13) are formed at least one surface thereof; and a columnar body (15) which is formed by laminating n (n?2) stages of columnar body portions which are obliquely erected on the convex portion (13) of the current collector (11) and in which a content ratio of elements sequentially vary in a longitudinal direction of the current collector (11), and has a configuration in which variation directions of content ratios of elements of odd-numbered stages of columnar body portions and even-numbered stages of columnar body portions are different from each other. At least three surfaces (13a, 13b, 13c) of the convex portion (13) in a section of the longitudinal direction are covered by the columnar body portions.

Abstract: This invention provides a negative electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including the negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a Li-absorbing element as a negative electrode active material, is free from deformation, separation of the negative electrode active material layer from the negative electrode current collector, and deposition of lithium on the negative electrode current collector, and is excellent in cycle characteristic, large-current discharge characteristic, and low-temperature discharge characteristic. The negative electrode of this invention includes: a current collector having depressions and protrusions on a surface in the thickness direction thereof; and a negative electrode active material layer that includes a plurality of columns containing a negative electrode active material that absorbs and releases lithium ions, the columns being grown outwardly from the surface of the current collector.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery according to the present invention includes a current collector 12, and an active material layer 14 formed on the current collector 12. The active material layer 14 includes a plurality of negative-electrode active material members 16 disposed on the current collector 12. Each negative-electrode active material member 16 is oxide, including a first region 18 of a relatively high oxygen concentration and a plurality of second regions 20 having an oxygen concentration which is lower than that of the first region 18. The first region 18 extends from a bottom face of each negative-electrode active material member 16 in a direction away from the surface of the current collector. The plurality of second regions 20 are alternately disposed on both sides of the first region 18.

Abstract: A composite particle for a lithium rechargeable battery is contained in at least one of a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the lithium rechargeable battery that includes the positive electrode, the negative electrode, a separator, and non-aqueous electrolytic solution. The composite particle contains a conductive agent and an active material that can reversibly store and emit lithium ions. The composite particle is a hollow body formed of an outer wall including the active material and conductive agent, and a cavity capable of retaining non-aqueous electrolytic solution. At least one opening of the cavity that can pass the electrolytic solution is formed in the surface of the composite particle.

Abstract: Apparatus which adjusts an optical connection between a waveguide and an optical interconnection component that launches light into the waveguide or receives light emitted from the waveguide. The apparatus includes: an excitation light element emitting light that causes the waveguide to fluoresce into the waveguide via the optical interconnection component; an observation unit that observes the waveguide from a side face, different from the end face into which light is launched into the waveguide or light having propagated through the waveguide is emitted, and which receives fluorescent light emitted by the waveguide; and a connection adjusting component that adjusts the optical connection between the optical interconnection component and the waveguide based on the intensity of the fluorescent light received at the light observing section.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery, including: a negative electrode material mixture including an active material powder capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing lithium, and a binder, wherein the active material includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si and Sn, and the binder includes at least one selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer and an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer.