Abstract: The laminate-cutting method according to the present invention is a method for cutting an optical film wherein layers are laminated through a pressure-sensitive adhesive agent with a cutting edge, wherein the cutting of the laminate with the cutting edge is performed in the state that compressive stress applied to the optical film is decreased when the laminate is cut with the cutting edge. This makes it possible to provide a laminate-cutting method, a cutting device and a laminate-cutting pedestal wherein the generation of the adhesion of paste to a cutting edge, the blocking, cracking, chipping of cut faces, and others is prevented.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a precious metal sputtering target having a columnar crystallographic microstructure such that crystals are grown in a direction normal to the sputtering surface in order to solve conventional problems. The high-purity sputtering target of the present invention prevents chipping of a minute cluster mass that occurs in a sputtering target produced through casting or powder metallurgy; produces thin film of excellent quality; and has considerably reduced internal defects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a precious metal sputtering target having a columnar crystallographic microstructure such that crystals are grown in a direction normal to the sputtering surface in order to solve conventional problems. The high-purity sputtering target of the present invention prevents chipping of a minute cluster mass that occurs in a sputtering target produced through casting or powder metallurgy; produces thin film of excellent quality; and has considerably reduced internal defects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a precious metal sputtering target having a columnar crystallographic microstructure such that crystals are grown in a direction normal to the sputtering surface in order to solve conventional problems. The high-purity sputtering target of the present invention prevents chipping of a minute cluster mass that occurs in a sputtering target produced through casting or powder metallurgy; produces thin film of excellent quality; and has considerably reduced internal defects.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a sputtering target material including electrolyzing a molten salt mixture containing a precious metal salt and a solvent salt, to thereby deposit a precious metal or a precious metal alloy. The method enables simplification of production steps and produces high-purity target materials. In addition, the electrodeposited precious metal or precious metal alloy is heat-treated at a temperature of at least 800° C. but lower than the melting point of the precious metal, to thereby produce a target material of higher purity.

Abstract: A light source power supply circuit includes a DC power source and an energy accumulating capacitor connected in parallel through a charging switching element to the DC power source. A polarity inverting circuit is connected across the energy accumulating capacitor for applying the capacitor voltage across a light source with the polarity alternately inverted. A starting high voltage generating circuit applies a high voltage to the light source a high voltage for starting the light source. A control circuit controls a polarity inverting circuit so that the inverting frequency is above a critical fusion frequency for the light source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of preparing fluorinated material which comprises thermally treating the mixture of carbon black and hydrocarbon polymer compound powder for covering the surface of the carbon black with the latter and fluorinating the hydrocarbon polymer compound. The thermal treatment can be conducted in two stages.The fluorinated material prepared in accordance with the present invention can provide much more pore volumes acting as gas networks in, for example, an electrode which exhibits high gas permeability or gas supplying ability. Further, the hydrophobicity is as high as that of the material prepared in accordance with mixing carbon black with hydrocarbon polymer compound dispersed in an organic solvent, and is higher than that of the conventional mixture of carbon black and polytetrafluoroethylene particles. The fluorinated material is preferably employed to a fuel cell as gas network material.

Abstract: Disclosed are a gas diffusion electrode for an electrochemical cell which comprises a catalyst layer formed by binding, by means of poiytotrafluoroethylene, catalyst-supporting carbon black and catalyst-non-supporting carbon black having a fluorinated polyolofine film on substantially whole surface, the catalyst layer being integrated on a substrate, and a process of preparing same.Since the carbon black employed for the formation of the gas network in the catalyst layer of the gas diffusion electrode having the above constitution in accordance with the present invention is completely hydrophobically treated, no electrolyte permeates this portion and the carbon black exhibits high hydrophobicity so that the wet-proofing is maintained even after the long operation period to enable the gas supply to the catalyst particles so as to provide the gas diffusion electrode with a long life and high electrode performances.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are process of preparing carbon supports coated with polyolefin or fluorinated polyolefin to be employed as a network substrate of such an electrochemical cell, in these processes, a solvent which solvates the polyolefin is employed for forming polyolefin in the shape of nearly single fibers which are the smallest unit conceivable. The carbon supports coated with the said solvated polyolefin which possesses the maximum uniformity concalvable have the maximum performance when they are employed in a gas diffusion electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrocatalyst which comprises an inorganic support and four-element alloy essentially consisting of 10 to 39 atomic percent of platinum, 30 to 5 atomic percent of nickel, 30 to 5 atomic percent of cobalt and 30 to 3 atomic percent of manganese supported on the inorganic support. The electrocatalyst possesses excellent anti-poisoning against carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrocatalyst which comprises an inorganic support and a ternary alloy essentially consisting of platinum-palladium-ruthenium supported on the support. The electrocatalyst possesses excellent anti-poisoning against carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a platinum alloy catalyst comprising an electroconductive support and platinum-nickel-cobalt alloy particles having an ordered structure supported on the electroconductive support, and a process of preparing the catalyst. The catalyst possesses higher activity and longer durability because of its ordered structure.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium comprising a layer of amorphous rare-earth-transition-metal alloy having a uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, the alloy containing germanium as additive, and the recording medium having high crystallization temperature, enough stability and good reading S/N ratio.