Abstract: A microwave treatment device comprises: a heating chamber that accommodates an object to be heated; a microwave generator that generates a microwave in a specified frequency band; an amplifier that amplifies the microwave; a feeding unit that supplies the amplified microwave to the heating chamber; a detector that detects a reflected microwave power; and a controller. The controller selects one of plural frequencies in the specified frequency band and causes the microwave generator to generate the microwave with the selected frequency. The controller causes the amplifier to change an output power of the microwave so that the microwave supplied to the heating chamber has one of plural output powers. The controller measures a reflected microwave frequency characteristic based on reflected microwave powers detected under each of a condition that the microwave has a first output power and a condition that the microwave has a second output power.

Abstract: A microwave heating device includes the following components: a heating chamber for accommodating a heating target object, a microwave generator that generates a microwave, and a coaxial connector. The coaxial connector includes a center conductor, an insulator, and an external conductor. The center conductor is connected to the output terminal of the microwave generator. The coaxial connector includes an air gap between the center conductor and the insulator. This aspect can reduce the occurrence of cracking of the soldered joint between the microwave generator and the coaxial connector.

Abstract: An RF energy radiation device includes a cavity in which a heating target object is to be placed, an RF signal generation unit, an RF amplifier, a radiation element, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The RF signal generation unit oscillates an RF signal. The RF amplifier amplifies the RF signal and provides RF energy. The radiation element radiates the RF energy into the cavity. The temperature sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the RF amplifier. The controller controls the RF amplifier so that the RF amplifier adjusts the RF energy output in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and a plurality of threshold levels. This aspect can improve the reliability of the device.

Abstract: A high-frequency heating apparatus includes: a heating chamber for accommodating a load; a microwave source; at least one radiator; a temperature detector; and a controller. The microwave source generates a microwave and adjusts the frequency and output of the microwave. The at least one radiator radiates a microwave into the heating chamber. The temperature detector detects the temperature in the heating chamber. The controller causes the microwave source to adjust the output of the microwave based on the temperature profile that defines the temperature change in the load, and the temperature in the heating chamber. According to this aspect, food can be heated in accordance with the temperature profile appropriate for the cooking recipe, thereby ensuring the quality of cooked food.

Abstract: A battery of this invention includes: a separator which is folded in a zigzag manner, thereby forming a layered structure having at least one first-electrode holding part and at least one second-electrode holding part which are alternately aligned; a first electrode accommodated in the first-electrode holding part; and a second electrode accommodated in the second-electrode holding part. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode has at least one protruding part. The first electrode is connected to a first terminal, and the second electrode is connected to second terminal.

Abstract: The present invention has an object of providing a lithium secondary battery and an electrode for a lithium secondary battery having a superb cycle characteristic. The present invention relates to an electrode for a lithium secondary battery, and a lithium secondary battery including the electrode, the electrode including a current collector and an active substance structure provided on the current collector, wherein the active substance structure includes at least one first layer containing a first material for occluding and releasing lithium ions and at least one second layer containing a conductive second material which does not chemically react with lithium; the first layer and the second layer are alternately laminated; and the second layer has a Young's modulus larger than the Young's modulus of the first layer.

Abstract: A battery of the present invention has a strip-shaped electrode group. The electrode group includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween. The first electrode has a strip-shaped first current collector and a first active material layer carried on one surface thereof. The first active material layer faces the separator. The second electrode has a strip-shaped second current collector and a second active material layer carried on one surface thereof. The second active material layer faces the separator. The electrode group is folded in a zigzag pattern to form a laminate having a plurality of flat portions, at least one first bent portion located on a first end side of the plurality of flat portions in which the first current collector is located on the outermost side, and at least one second bent portion located on a second end side that is opposite to the first end side in which the second current collector is located on the outermost side.

Abstract: The present invention has an object of providing a lithium secondary battery and an electrode for a lithium secondary battery having a superb cycle characteristic. The present invention relates to an electrode for a lithium secondary battery, and a lithium secondary battery including the electrode, the electrode including a current collector and an active substance structure provided on the current collector, wherein the active substance structure includes at least one first layer containing a first material for occluding and releasing lithium ions and at least one second layer containing a conductive second material which does not chemically react with lithium; the first layer and the second layer are alternately laminated; and the second layer has a Young's modulus larger than the Young's modulus of the first layer.

Abstract: A battery of the present invention has a strip-shaped electrode group. The electrode group includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween. The first electrode has a strip-shaped first current collector and a first active material layer carried on one surface thereof. The first active material layer faces the separator. The second electrode has a strip-shaped second current collector and a second active material layer carried on one surface thereof. The second active material layer faces the separator. The electrode group is folded in a zigzag pattern to form a laminate having a plurality of flat portions, at least one first bent portion located on a first end side of the plurality of flat portions in which the first current collector is located on the outermost side, and at least one second bent portion located on a second end side that is opposite to the first end side in which the second current collector is located on the outermost side.

Abstract: A battery of this invention includes: a separator which is folded in a zigzag manner, thereby forming a layered structure having at least one first-electrode holding part and at least one second-electrode holding part which are alternately aligned; a first electrode accommodated in the first-electrode holding part; and a second electrode accommodated in the second-electrode holding part. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode has at least one protruding part. The first electrode is connected to a first terminal, and the second electrode is connected to second terminal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vertical current-type magneto-resistive element. The element includes an intermediate layer and a pair of magnetic layers sandwiching the intermediate layer, and at least one of a free magnetic layer and a pinned magnetic layer is a multilayer film including at least one non-magnetic layer and magnetic layers sandwiching the non-magnetic layer. The element area defined by the area of the intermediate layer through which current flows perpendicular to the film is not larger than 1000 ?m2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetoresistive (MR) element that is excellent in MR ratio and thermal stability and includes at least one magnetic layer including a ferromagnetic material M-X expressed by M100-aXa. Here, M is at least one selected from Fe, Co and Ni, X is expressed by X1bX2cX3d (X1 is at least one selected from Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os, Ir, Pt and Au, X2 is at least one selected from Al, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ga, Ge, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Zn and lanthanide series elements, and X3 is at least one selected from Si, B, C, N, O, P and S), and a, b, c and d satisfy 0.05?a?60, 0?b?60, 0?c?30, 0?d?20, and a=b+c+d.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetoresistive element that includes a pair of magnetic layers and an intermediate layer between the magnetic layers. The intermediate layer contains at least three elements selected from Groups 2 to 17, and the elements include at least one selected from the group consisting of F, O, N, C and B. According to the invention, a magnetoresistive element with high magnetoresistance change ratio and low resistance can be provided. The invention also provides a method for producing a magnetoresistive element. The method includes forming a precursor and forming at least one part of the intermediate layer from the precursor. The precursor is reacted with at least one reactive species selected from the group consisting of oxygen atoms, nitrogen atoms and carbon atoms in a reactive atmosphere containing the reactive species.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive effect element includes a first ferromagnetic film; a second ferromagnetic film; and a first nonmagnetic film interposed between the first ferromagnetic film and the second ferromagnetic film. The first ferromagnetic film has a magnetization more easily rotatable than a magnetization of the second ferromagnetic film by an external magnetic field. The first ferromagnetic film has an effective magnetic thickness of about 2 nm or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head having improved characteristics, using a magnetoresistive device in which current flows across the film plane such as a TMR device. In a first magnetic head of the present invention, when the area of a non-magnetic layer is defined as a device cross-section area, and the area of a yoke is defined as a yoke area, viewed along the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate over which the yoke and the magnetoresistive device are formed, then the device cross-section area is not less than 30% of the yoke area, so that a resistance increase of the device cross-section area is suppressed. In a second magnetic head of the present invention, a magnetoresistive device is formed on a substrate, and a yoke is provided above a non-magnetic layer constituting the device.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance element, wherein a first electric conductor is so formed as to contact almost the center of the surface opposite to a non-magnetic layer of a first ferromagnetic layer so formed as to sandwich, along with a second ferromagnetic layer, the non-magnetic layer, and an insulator so formed as to cover at least the side surface of the first ferromagnetic layer and the non-magnetic layer is formed so as to cover the peripheral edge of the surface of the first ferromagnetic layer, whereby it is possible to prevent a leakage current from flowing from the first electric conductor to a second electric conductor along the side surfaces of the first ferromagnetic layer, the non-magnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer, and to make uniform a bias current running from the first electric conductor to the second electric conductor to thereby restrict variations in magnetoresistance characteristics such as MR value and junction resistance.

Abstract: A condenser sensor (10) comprises an electrically conductive case (20) having an opening portion (22a) formed therein and an opposing portion (22b) opposing to and spaced apart from the opening portion (22a); a fixed electrode (30) received in the electrically conductive case (20) through the opening portion (22a); an electrically conductive diaphragm (51) accommodated in the electrically conductive case (20), the electrically conductive diaphragm (51) spaced apart from the fixed electrode (30) and opposing to the opening portion (22a); an electrically conductive diaphragm supporting member (52) disposed in the electrically conductive case (20) to support the diaphragm (51); a circuit packaging board (60) disposed in the electrically conductive case (20) to be held in electrical contact with the fixed electrode (30) and the diaphragm (51) respectively through the electrically conductive case (20) and the diaphragm supporting member (52); and deformation protecting member (32) for protecting the opposing porti

Abstract: A magnetic head for reproducing a signal recorded on a recording medium, includes a substrate, a magnetic head core provided on the substrate, having a magnetic gap, and a magnetoresistance device provided on the magnetic head core. The magnetic head core is provided in such a manner that a thickness direction of the magnetic head core around the magnetic gap is substantially the same as a track width direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head having improved characteristics, using a magnetoresistive device in which current flows across the film plane such as a TMR device. In a first magnetic head of the present invention, when the area of a non-magnetic layer is defined as a device cross-section area, and the area of a yoke is defined as a yoke area, viewed along the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate over which the yoke and the magnetoresistive device are formed, then the device cross-section area is not less than 30% of the yoke area, so that a resistance increase of the device cross-section area is suppressed. In a second magnetic head of the present invention, a magnetoresistive device is formed on a substrate, and a yoke is provided above a non-magnetic layer constituting the device.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device that includes a magnetoresistive element, a conductive wire for generating magnetic flux that changes a resistance value of the magnetoresistive element, and at least one ferromagnetic member through which the magnetic flux passes. The ferromagnetic member forms a magnetic gap at a position where the magnetic flux passes through the magnetoresistive element. A length of the magnetoresistive element that is measured in a direction parallel to the magnetic gap is less than or equal to twice the length of the magnetic gap. A length of a path traced by the magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic member is less than or equal to 1.0 ?m. The length of the path is also greater than or equal to five times the thickness of the ferromagnetic member and/or is greater than or equal to a length of the ferromagnetic member in the direction of the drawing of the conductive wire divided by five.