Abstract: An optical path switching device includes compact and unpackaged components; the components are mounted onto a single platform; and the components are coupled by luminous flux. Connection between optical fibers is negated. In particular the optical path switching device includes an optical input, an optical output, an optical branching device and an optical signal detection device. At least two of the optical input, the optical output, the optical branching device and the optical signal detective device are mounted onto a single platform.

Abstract: The invention is to offer an optical device which is capable of reducing the insertion loss comparing with a conventional one. The optical switch comprises a fiber collimator for input an light beam, a fiber collimator for output the light beam to the outside, an optical path switching element, an optical path switching element as well as a slider arranged in the optical paths between the fiber collimator and the fiber collimator to change the light path and the optical characteristics, a solenoid actuator for moving the slider, a guide mechanism for guiding the slider as the slider moves, a magnet for generating a magnetic field, the magnet being arranged at a position where the slider is pressed against the guide mechanism by means of a magnetic force of a magnetic field generated by the magnet.

Abstract: An optical path switching device includes compact and unpackaged components; the components are mounted onto a single platform; and the components are coupled by luminous flux. Connection between optical fibers is negated. In particular the optical path switching device includes an optical input, an optical output, an optical branching device and an optical signal detection device. At least two of the optical input, the optical output, the optical branching device and the optical signal detective device are mounted onto a single platform.

Abstract: Each of light beam switching elements disposed between input and output fiber collimators includes a support member, a first reflection member mounted on the peripheral portion of the support member and a second reflection member mounted on the peripheral portion of the support member. The first reflection member has a first reflection mirror surface to reflect the light beam from the input fiber collimator, and the second reflection member has a second reflection mirror surface to reflect the light beam reflected by the first reflection mirror surface. A drive actuator allows each of the switching elements to assume a first rotation position in which the light beam from the input fiber collimator is reflected by the first and second mirror surfaces, and a second rotation position in which the light beam from the input fiber collimator passes between the first and second reflection members without being reflected by the mirror surfaces.

Abstract: The disclosed herein is a novel and less expensive optical path switching apparatus for switching at least one input optical path selectively into at least one output optical path which comprises; switching means for switching the input optical path selectively into the output optical path which has at least one switching optical path to permit a light beam to pass thereon, inputting means for inputting at least one light beam to the switching means, and outputting means for outputting at least one light beam from the switching means, the switching means being essentially consisting of (i) a housing, (ii) at least one switching element having a first reflection surface to reflect the light beam inputted from each of input optical paths and a second reflection surface to reflect the light beam reflected from the first reflection surface toward the output optical path of the outputting means, and a reflection space formed between the first and second reflection surfaces of a switching element body, and (iii) at

Abstract: The invention is to offer an optical device which is capable of reducing the insertion loss comparing with a conventional one. The optical switch comprises a fiber collimator for input an light beam, a fiber collimator for output the light beam to the outside, an optical path switching element, an optical path switching element as well as a slider arranged in the optical paths between the fiber collimator and the fiber collimator to change the light path and the optical characteristics, a solenoid actuator for moving the slider, a guide mechanism for guiding the slider as the slider moves, a magnet for generating a magnetic field, the magnet being arranged at a position where the slider is pressed against the guide mechanism by means of a magnetic force of a magnetic field generated by the magnet.

Abstract: Here is disclosed an optical path switching apparatus comprising an input fiber collimator and a plurality of output fiber collimators. Each of the fiber input and output fiber collimators serves to allow a light beam to pass therethrough.

Abstract: The disclosed herein is a novel and less expensive optical path switching apparatus for switching at least one input optical path selectively into at least one output optical path which comprises; switching means for switching the input optical path selectively into the output optical path which has at least one switching optical path to permit a light beam to pass thereon, inputting means for inputting at least one light beam to the switching means, and outputting means for outputting at least one light beam from the switching means, the switching means being essentially consisting of (i) a housing, (ii) at least one switching element having a first reflection surface to reflect the light beam inputted from each of input optical paths and a second reflection surface to reflect the light beam reflected from the first reflection surface toward the output optical path of the outputting means, and a reflection space formed between the first and second reflection surfaces of a switching element body, and (iii) at

Abstract: A method of magneto-optically modulating light comprises the steps of linearly polarizing the light on its transmission path, and placing a magneto-optic effect element on the transmission path of the polarized light with the spontaneous magnetization direction of the magneto-optic effect element being substantially parallel with the transmission path. The plane of polarization of the polarized light is rotated about the transmission path in the absence of the magnetic field applied to the magneto-optic effect element having the polarized light pass therethrough. The method further comprises the step of applying the magnetic field to the magneto-optic effect element with its internal magnetization being oriented in a direction perpendicular to the transmission path. The plane of polarization of the polarized light is maintained in its initial state in the presence of the magnetic field applied to the magneto-optic effect element having the polarized light pass therethrough.

Abstract: A method of magneto-optically modulating light comprises the steps of linearly polarizing the light on its transmission path, placing a magnetooptic effect element on the transmission path of the polarized light with the spontaneous magnetization direction of the element being parallel with the transmission path, the polarized light being modulated into a first light component when the plane of polarization of the polarized light is rotated to assume the first rotational position by the magnetooptic effect element in the absence of the applied magnetic field, applying the magnetic field to the magnetooptic effect element with the internal magnetization of the element being oriented in a direction perpendicular to the transmission path, the polarized light being modulated into a second light component when the plane of polarization of the polarized light is shifted to a second rotational position by the magnetooptic effect element in the presence of the applied magnetic field.

Abstract: A thermal protector comprises a case having a space surrounded by a bottom surface and a wall surface; a pair of fixed electrodes secured to the bottom surface of the case and located so as to be separated from each other in the space; a disk-shaped bimetal disposed in the space so as to be opposite to the fixed electrodes; a pair of contacts disposed on extremity portions of a surface of the bimetal opposite to the fixed electrodes, the bimetal being either in a conductive state, where the contacts are in contact with the pair of fixed electrodes, or in a non-conductive state, where, the bimetal being deformed, depending on temperature, they are not in contact with the pair of fixed electrodes; and inclined portions disposed on the wall surface with a predetermined interval from the extremity portions of the bimetal when the bimetal is deformed.

Abstract: An overload protective device to the disposed in an electric circuit serving to supply current to a load has a pair of fixed contacts provided inside of a case and an inversible disk-like bimetal of a curved shape having a pair of movable contacts capable of coming in contact with the fixed contacts, respectively. A shaft is fixed to the case at one end thereof and formed with a head portion at the free end portion. The shaft extends though a hole formed in the central portion of the bimetal. When the bimetal breaks, a circuit breaker breaks the electric circuit permanently to thereby prevent the load and the overload protective device from being burnt out.

Abstract: Disclosed is an analytical element for determination of hydrogen peroxide, which comprises using an analytical element containing a substance having the action of peroxidation, a compound represented by Formula (I) shown below, and an aromatic primary amine compound, or a salt thereof, capable of forming a dye through the coupling reaction with the compound represented by Formula (I) shown below: ##STR1## wherein Z represents a group of nonmetallic atoms necessary for forming a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring, which ring formed by Z may have a substituent; X represents a hydrogen atom or a group capable of being split off through the reaction with an oxidized product of the aromatic primary amine compound; and R represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent.Disclosed is also an analytical method for determination of hydrogen peroxide by use of the above analytical element.

Abstract: An analytical element for analyzing a specific component in a liquid sample, comprising a light-transmissive and liquid-impermeable support having thereon successively a first reagent layer and a second reagent layer, and a porous spreading layer provided above said second reagent layer, and containing an electron transport agent, a dye-forming precursor material, an oxidized type coenzyme, a buffering agent and at least one reagent capable of converting said oxidized type coenzyme to a reduced type coenzyme through a specific component in a liquid sample, wherein said oxidized type coenzyme is contained in said porous spreading layer, and a lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor is contained in at least one of said second reagent layer and said porous spreading layer.According to this invention, error originating from LDH and lactic acid present in a biological liquid sample can be eliminated and the accuracy of analysis can be improved.

Abstract: An analytical element to measure a specific component in a fluid samples comprising support, a layer containing a reagent provided the support and a spreading layer provided on above the reagent containing layer. In the spreading layer, an emzyme necessary for the reaction to produce a product capable of being detected with said reagent from the specific component is contained. The enzyme is protected from deterioration of activity during a manufacturing and preservation of the analytical element by means of the enzyme is included in the spread layer as a dispersion mixture with a protein and/or polypeptide. An accurate analytical result is stably obtained by the analytical element.

Abstract: A hybrid optical integrated circuit having a high-silica glass optical waveguide formed on a silicon substrate, an optical fiber and an optical device coupled optically to the optical waveguide, and an optical fiber guide and an optical device guide on the substrate for aligning the optical fiber and the optical device at predetermining positions, respectively, relative to the optical waveguide. Islands carrying electrical conductors are disposed on the substrate. A first electrical conductor film is formed on the substrate. Second electrical conductor films are formed on the top surfaces of the optical waveguide, the optical fiber guide, the optical device guide and the islands and are electrically isolated from the first electrical conductor film. An electrical conductor member is provided to feed electric power from the first and second electric conductor films to the optical device which needs the power supply.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a hybrid optical integrated circuit having a high-silica glass optical waveguide formed on a silicon substrate, an optical fiber and an optical device coupled optically to the optical waveguide, and an optical fiber guide and an optical device guide on the substrate for aligning the optical fiber and the optical device at predetermined positions, respectively, relative to the optical waveguide. Islands carrying electrical conductors are disposed on the substrate. A first electrical conductor film is formed on the substrate. Second electrical conductor films are formed on the top surfaces of the optical waveguide, the optical fiber guide, the optical device guide and the islands and are electrically isolated from the first electrical conductor film. An electrical conductor member is provided to feed electric power from the first and second electric conductor films to the optical device which needs the power supply.

Abstract: An analytical element for the detection of hydrogen peroxide comprising a peroxidase-functional material, a hydrogen donor and a coupler, wherein the peroxidase-functional material and hydrogen donor are arranged so as to be separate from each other, for example in separate layers, but are made interactive by the application of a fluid sample.

Abstract: There is disclosed a dry analytical element for .alpha.-amylase in a fluid sample which comprises the analytical element including a starch capable of forming a complex with iodine, an iodine compound and an oxidizing agent, and the iodine compound and the oxidizing agent are disposed in the element so that iodine may be liberated therefrom when the fluid sample is brought into contact with the analytical element.The analytical element of this invention enables an easy, prompt and accurate dry quantitative analysis of a component in a fluid sample, especially a biological fluid sample by the use of visible light with the aid of a spectrophotometer.

Abstract: A refrigerator temperature control system is disclosed in which the compressor for compressing a refrigerant is driven selectively at either a normal lower rotation speed or a higher rotational speed and the higher rotational speed is applied only when any of the freezer compartment temperature and the fresh food compartment temperature is not reduced below a predetermined temperature level for at least a predetermined time interval.