Abstract: A method for producing an aspherical structure according to the invention includes the steps of: forming a layer on a surface of a substrate so that the layer exhibits an etching rate distribution in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate; forming a mask having a predetermined opening shape on the surface of the layer; and etching the layer to thereby form at least one aspherical concave portion. When each concave portion is used as a molding tool so that a resin with which the concave portion is filled is solidified and removed from the concave portions an aspherical lens array can be formed accurately.

Abstract: An alloy powder for bonded rare earth magnets is prepared by melting an alloy consisting essentially of 20-30 wt % of Sm or a mixture of rare earth elements (inclusive of Y) containing at least 50 wt % of Sm, 10-45 wt % of Fe, 1-10 wt % of Cu, 0.5-5 wt % of Zr, and the balance of Co, quenching the melt by a strip casting technique, to form a rare earth alloy strip containing at least 20% by volume of equiaxed crystals with a grain size of 1-200 &mgr;m and having a gage of 0.05-3 mm, and heat treating the strip in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at 1000-1300° C. for 0.5-20 hours, followed by aging treatment and grinding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel thin ribbon of a rare earth/iron/boron-based magnet alloy prepared by quenching of an alloy melt by the method of strip casting, from which a sintered permanent magnet is obtained by the powder metallurgical method.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor laser device which is generally uniform in carrier concentration of a clad layer, almost free from strain, and less demanding for time and labor in its manufacturing, and which has stable characteristics. On an n-GaAs substrate, an n-type clad layer, an active layer, a p-type clad layer, and a cap layer are stacked one on another at a temperature of 700-750° C. Widthwise both side portions of the cap layer as well as widthwise both side specified-depth portions of the p-type clad layer are removed by etching to form a ridge portion, and a current constriction layer is formed on widthwise both sides of the ridge portion. A flattening layer having a planar surface is formed on the current constriction layer and the cap layer by slow cooling LPE process at a temperature of 700° C. or lower. On the flattening layer, a contact layer is formed by MOCVD process at a temperature of about 650° C.

Abstract: Distribution of machining ability in periphery surface is grasped and evaluated through measuring the machined depth at several positions of the peripheral portion by use of a wafer for the evaluation of the ability of machining the peripheral portion thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thin alloy ribbon prepared by the strip casting method as an intermediate for the preparation of a sintered rare earth-based permanent magnet or, in particular, a neodymium/iron/boron-type permanent magnet. The thin alloy ribbon is characterized by a specific volume fraction of the four-phase coexisting region consisting of the &agr;-iron phase, R-rich phase, RXT4B4 phase and R2T14B phase each having an average grain diameter in a specified range and a specific volume fraction of the chill crystalline phase. When these requirements are satisfied, the sintered rare earth-based permanent magnet prepared from the thin alloy ribbons can be imparted with improved magnetic properties and high sintering density even without increasing the sintering temperature.

Abstract: A route guiding apparatus provides information for a route using public transportation as an alternative to a vehicular route. In addition to searching for a vehicular route from a current location to a destination, it is determined whether the current location and the destination are within a zone in which public transportation can be used. When the current location and the destination are determined to be within a public transportation zone, a route using public transportation is searched for. Subsequently, the cost of the route using public transportation and the cost of the vehicular route are compared. When the cost of the public transportation route falls within a predetermined limit, the apparatus indicates the public transportation route. The route costs are calculated considering factors such as required travel time and ticket fees. The apparatus may also recommend public transportation when no parking is available near the destination, or based on traffic information concerning the vehicular route.

Abstract: A rare-earth alloy ingot is produced by melting an alloy composed of 20-30 wt % of a rare-earth constituent which is Sm alone or at least 50 wt % Sm in combination with at least one other rare-earth element, 10-45 wt % of Fe, 1-10 wt % of Cu and 0.5-5 wt % of Zr, with the balance being Co, and quenching the molten alloy in a strip casting process. The strip-cast alloy ingot has a content of 1-200 &mgr;m size equiaxed crystal grains of at least 20 vol % and a thickness of 0.05-3 mm. Rare-earth sintered magnets made from such alloys exhibit excellent magnetic properties and can be manufactured under a broad optimal temperature range during sintering and solution treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thin alloy ribbon prepared by the strip casting method as an intermediate for the preparation of a sintered rare earth-based permanent magnet or, in particular, a neodymium/iron/boron-type permanent magnet. The thin alloy ribbon is characterized by a specific volume fraction of the four-phase coexisting region consisting of the &agr;-iron phase, R-rich phase, RxT4B4 phase and R2T14B phase each having an average grain diameter in a specified range and a specific volume fraction of the chill crystalline phase. When these requirements are satisfied, the sintered rare earth-based permanent magnet prepared from the thin alloy ribbons can be imparted with improved magnetic properties and high sintering density even without increasing the sintering temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel thin ribbon of a rare earth/iron/boron-based magnet alloy prepared by quenching of an alloy melt by the method of strip casting, from which a sintered permanent magnet is obtained by the powder metallurgical method.

Abstract: A system for acquiring map information reliably even when a vehicle is running in a blind area where the map information is not acquirable in real time, assisting the vehicle to keep running smoothly. In this system, necessary map information can be acquired from an external information center upon request via a communication device. Specifying data of a blind area in which the map information is not acquirable in real time is previously stored in a memory. Based on the specifying data stored in the memory and a current position of the vehicle detected as by GPS, a processor acquires the map information of the blind area from the information center upon request when the vehicle approaches the blind area. The acquired map information is stored in the memory and is read out for use in navigation.

Abstract: A micro-lens array sheet having a wide field angle, a field angle control, a high light efficiency, a high brightness and a high contrast, which is provided with a layer of micro-lenses each shaped to be a centro-symmetry convex or concave micro-lens. A layer of either a light diffusion sheet or a sheet filled with light diffusive agent is attached on a light transmitting side of the micro-lens array sheet. The micro-lenses are aligned in a diamond grid array or an array including a combination of diamond-shape and hexagonal-shape micro-lens blocks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thin alloy ribbon prepared by the strip casting method as an intermediate for the preparation of a sintered rare earth-based permanent magnet or in particular, a neodymium/iron/boron-type permanent magnet. The thin alloy ribbon is characterized by a specific volume fraction of the four-phase coexisting region consisting of the &agr;-iron phase, R-rich phase, RxT4B4 phase and R2T14B phase each having an average grain diameter in a specified range and a specific volume fraction of the chill crystalline phase. When these requirements are satisfied, the sintered rare earth-based permanent magnet prepared from the thin alloy ribbons can be imparted with improved magnetic properties and high sintering density even without increasing the sintering temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel thin ribbon of a rare earth/iron/boron-based magnet alloy prepared by quenching of an alloy melt by the method of strip casting, from which a sintered permanent magnet is obtained by the powder metallurgical method.

Abstract: A system for acquiring map information reliably even when a vehicle is running in a blind area where the map information is not acquirable in real time, assisting the vehicle to keep running smoothly. In this system, necessary map information can be acquired from an external information center upon request via a communication device. Specifying data of a blind area in which the map information is not acquirable in real time is previously stored in a memory. Based on the specifying data stored in the memory and a current position of the vehicle detected as by GPS, a processor acquires the map information of the blind area from the information center upon request when the vehicle approaches the blind area. The acquired map information is stored in the memory and is read out for use in navigation.

Abstract: Medical apparatus of the present invention effectively uses ozone as an anesthetic by spraying ozone gas onto affected bodily parts such as hands, arms, legs. Upon inserting affected parts in an airtight body, ozone gas is circulated in the airtight body; likewise, a sprayer for spraying ozone gas onto affected bodily parts is provided in a hood, which is attached to a conduit member having a feeding path and a withdrawing path, so as to feed ozone gas to the inner space of the hood.