Abstract: A electric power system comprises a plurality of capacitors connected in series, a plurality of DC-AC conversion circuits converting each DC voltage of the plurality of capacitors to an AC signal that an AC component equivalent to the inter-terminal DC voltage of each of the capacitors is superimposed on the respective DC voltages and a plurality of condenser couplers break the respective DC voltages and output the AC components respectively, and a processing circuit detecting the inter-terminal DC voltage of the corresponding capacitor from the AC component.

Abstract: A voltage of an intensity corresponding to information to be recorded is applied to a recording medium which comprises a film containing a charge generating material. The film is sandwiched between two electrodes. Electric charges are accumulated in the recording medium upon application of the voltage so that information is recorded. When light is irradiated to the recording medium, the stored charges are converted into photo-current. The recorded information is read out by detecting the photo-current. When the electrodes are short-circuited, the recorded information is erased.

Abstract: A display device, which is adapted for time-division driving and is free from occurrence of crosstalk, includes a pair of substrates which are arranged to be opposite to each other and at least one of which is transparent, electrodes provided respectively on surfaces of the substrates facing each other, and a material which is sandwiched between the electrodes and the light transmitting quantity of which is changed by an electric field applied between the electrodes. The electrodes formed on the surfaces of the substrates facing each other constitute scanning electrodes and signal electrodes which intersect each other to form display portions. The signal electrodes constitutes independent electrodes formed independently of each other in units of display portions. Outside leads of the respective independent electrodes are passed through the substrate provided with the electrodes and are led out to the back surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device characterized in comprising a set of substrates facing each other at least one of which is transparent, transparent electrodes provided respectively to each facing plane of the substrates, a light absorbing layer held between the transparent electrodes, and an electric power source for applying electric field to the light absorbing layer, and that the light absorbing layer is composed of two layers, each of the layers has dichroism, average light absorbing axis of the each layers without electric field is approximately parallel to the substrate plane and crossing each other almost orthogonally, and the average light absorbing axis of the each layers changes the axis direction by applying of electric field. In accordance with the present invention, the liquid crystal display device having eye-tireless bright display, long life time, and electric power saving character is realized.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a non-linear optical device comprising a non-linear optical medium comprising an organic compound, which remarkably improves the non-linear optical properties. The non-linear optical device according to the present invention is suited for the second and third harmonic generations, photomixing optical parametric oscillations, optical switches and optical bistable devices.

Abstract: In a semiconductor laser wavelength conversion device comprising a semiconductor laser beam souce, a lens, a single crystal of a non-linear optical material and a filter, the non-linear optical material is represented by the general formula, A--(Cx)--B, where (Cx) is --(CH)--or --CH.dbd.CH--C(.dbd.CH)--, A and B are each atomic group comprising a .pi.-electron conjugated structure containing at least one electron withdrawing group or one electron donating group. The device can generate a second harmonic wave having an intensity of 4 or more stronger than that of urea and having a cutoff wavelength of 420 nm or less.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming a film, which are suitable for forming a film of a semiconductor, dielectric, metal, insulator, or organic substance. In order to form a film of high purity and quality at high speed, a particle beam such as an ion beam, an electron beam, or a plasma is applied to a sputtering target comprising a substance formed by bonding atoms or molecules with either van der Waals forces or hydrogen bonding forces, the particles are sputtered thereby from the target, fly in the space in the vacuum chamber, reach the substrate on which they are deposited to form a desired film.

Abstract: The liquid crystal cell (30) for the optical change-over switch comprises a pair of transparent substrates (1), a pair of transparent flat electrodes (2) provided on the respective opposing surfaces of the substrates, orientation control films (3) provided on the flat electrodes (2), two pair of comb shaped electrodes (33) respectively provided on the orientation control films (3), and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer (4) confined between the substrates (1). The optical incidence plane (31) to the cell (30) is so selected that the plane (31) is away from the helical axes (9) of the ferroelectric liquid crystal in the cell (30) in the order of somewhat greater than the tilt angle (.theta..sub.t) of the ferroelectric liquid crystal.

Abstract: The element comprises a pair of transparent substrates, a pair of light-transmitting electrodes each provided on the respective substrates, a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates and orientation control films for the molecules of the ferroelectric liquid crystal provided between the electrodes and the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer. The orientation control film controls a tile angle of a biphenyle series nematic liquid crystal having biphenyl ring system below 1.5.degree. and causes a uniform molecule orientation characteristic and a memory property for the ferroelectric liquid crystal element of smectic C* liquid crystal and having a liquid crystal layer thickness of even more than 4 .mu.m.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises an optical device having an optically functional material sandwiched between a pair of substrates with electrodes formed on opposing surfaces. The optically functional material has such a characteristic that intensity of light issuing from the optical device changes asymmetrically in response to inversion of the polarity of an applied external field. Pulse voltages of one polarity for determining the intensity of the issuing light and pulse voltages of an opposite polarity are applied from a source at a predetermined period so that an average voltage is zeroed within the predetermied period. The issuing light intensity under the application of the pulse voltages of one polarity and the issuing light intensity under the application of the other pulse voltages are selected or changed by a switching unit.

Abstract: A driving method for an optical printer and an optical printer having a liquid-crystal light switching element including a ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of plates provided with electrodes on adjacent surfaces thereof. The liquid-crystal light switching element is disposed between a light source and a movable photosensitive surface and controlled so as to at least one of transmit and block light from the light source to the photosensitive surface for enabling a printing operation. Voltages v.sub.1 and v.sub.2 are applied to the liquid-crystal switching element substantially in accordance with the equation ##EQU1## and the intensity of light from the light source incident on the liquid-crystal switching element is controlled so that incident light intensity during a period T.sub.2 is weaker than the incident light intensity during a period T.sub.1, where t.sub.0, t.sub.1, t.sub.2 and t.sub.3 represents times, T.sub.1 (=t.sub.1 -t.sub.

Abstract: A liquid crystal optical modulation element is disclosed. The modulation element comprises two transparent substrates positioned so as to face each other; a transparent electrode provided on the facing surface of the transparent substrates; a transparent insulating/orientation control layer provided on each of the facing surfaces of the transparent electrodes, having insulating properties and orientating the liquid crystal molecules in the proximity thereof in a preferential direction substantially parallel to the surfaces of the substrates; a liquid crystal layer exhibiting ferroelectricity, sandwiched between the insulating/orientation control layers; and means for polarizing light passing through said liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized by a smectic liquid crystal compound represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R is selected from alkyl and alkoxy groups; X from ##STR2## m and n are natural numbers; and R* is an optically active group containing an asymmetric carbon atom, and a liquid crystal composition containing said compound as a component. This compound is excellent in optical stability and high-speed response.

Abstract: A method for driving a liquid crystal element including a ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates having electrodes on their opposite surfaces is disclosed. A pulse voltage for defining the light transmitting state of the liquid crystal element is applied to the ferroelectric liquid crystal. Before and/or after the application of the pulse voltage, the ferroelectric liquid crystal is applied with a voltage signal which renders the average value of voltages applied to the ferroelectric liquid crystal equal to zero.

Abstract: A color liquid crystal display device wherein a nematic liquid crystal to which a dichroic dye and an optically active substance have been added is used as the liquid crystal layer and the amount of said optically active substance added is so selected as to fall in a range making steep the threshold voltage characteristics of the liquid crystal.

Abstract: A method for driving a liquid crystal element including a ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates having electrodes on their opposite surfaces is disclosed. A pulse voltage for defining the light transmitting state of the liquid crystal element is applied to the ferroelectric liquid crystal. Before and/or after the application of the pulse voltage, the ferroelectric liquid crystal is applied with a voltage signal which renders the average value of voltages applied to the ferroelectric liquid crystal equal to zero.