Abstract: The optical module for optical height measurement includes a laser light source, an irradiation optical system, a detection optical system, and a detector. The laser light source is configured to irradiate the layer-structured specimen with a light beam. The irradiation optical system includes an objective lens. The objective lens is located to be approximately perpendicular to the layer-structured specimen. The detection optical system is configured to guide a reflected light reflected by the layer-structured specimen and a light passing through the objective lens and an aperture-restrictor-for-return to the detector. The aperture-restrictor-for-return is located immediately after the objective lens. The aperture-restrictor-for-return is configured to restrict the reflected light and cause only a light in a high NA region to pass through. The detector is configured to convert an entered light into a light detection signal. The detector includes a multi-divided detector array.

Abstract: The optical module for optical height measurement includes a laser light source, an irradiation optical system, a detection optical system, and a detector. The laser light source is configured to irradiate the layer-structured specimen with a light beam. The irradiation optical system includes an objective lens. The objective lens is located to be approximately perpendicular to the layer-structured specimen. The detection optical system is configured to guide a reflected light reflected by the layer-structured specimen and a light passing through the objective lens and an aperture-restrictor-for-return to the detector. The aperture-restrictor-for-return is located immediately after the objective lens. The aperture-restrictor-for-return is configured to restrict the reflected light and cause only a light in a high NA region to pass through. The detector is configured to convert an entered light into a light detection signal. The detector includes a multi-divided detector array.

Abstract: An optical module for optical height measurement optically measures a height of a specimen and includes an irradiation optical system, two detection optical systems, and a light dividing element. The irradiation optical system includes a laser light source and an objective lens to irradiate the specimen with a light beam. The two detection optical systems each include a divided optical detector configured to detect a reflected light reflected by the specimen. The light dividing element is configured to guide the reflected light to the two detection optical systems. A light that has transmitted the light dividing element and a light reflected by the light dividing element are guided to the respective two detection optical systems. Intensity distributions of the transmitted light and the reflected light on the two detection optical systems are inverted in line symmetry.

Abstract: A laminated nonwoven fabric includes a first nonwoven fabric that comprises first fibers, and a second nonwoven fabric that comprises second fibers. The second nonwoven fabric is laminated on the first nonwoven fabric. An average fiber diameter D1 of the first fibers and an average fiber diameter D2 of the second fibers satisfy a relation of D1>D2. In viewed from a side of a principal surface of the second nonwoven fabric being not opposed to the first nonwoven fabric, a total area of first portions of the second fibers superimposed on the first fibers and existing on the nearer side than the first fibers is larger than a total area of second portions of the second fibers existing and superimposed on voids S of the first nonwoven fabric formed of the first fibers.

Abstract: A laminated nonwoven fabric includes a first nonwoven fabric and a second nonwoven fabric. The first nonwoven fabric contains charged first fibers. The second nonwoven fabric contains second fibers, and is laminated on the first nonwoven fabric. A fiber diameter of the first fibers is larger than a fiber diameter of the second fibers.

Abstract: A laminated nonwoven fabric (NF) includes a first NF containing first fibers and a second NF containing second fibers and laminated on the first NF, and has a cut-off edge at an end thereof. An average diameter of the first fibers is larger than that of the second fibers not more than 3 ?m. 50% by mass to 70% by mass, inclusive, of the second fibers satisfy x?y, and 5% by mass to 30% by mass, inclusive, thereof satisfy x<y/2. “x” is a vector component in a direction (X axis direction) of the cut-off edge, and “y” is a vector component in Y axis direction perpendicular to X axis and parallel to a principal surface of the laminated NF. When the second NF is viewed from Z axis direction perpendicular to X and Y axes, at least some of the second fibers satisfying x<y/2 overlap the second fibers satisfying x?y.

Abstract: It is made possible to amplify signal light of an optical fiber sensor and to perform measurement in a long distance. At least one of a plurality of core wires in a multicore optical fiber is used as a signal-light propagating core wire 133 and the other is used as a reference-light propagating core wire 134. Also, homodyne detection of signal light and reference light reflected by an FBG sensor unit 132 arranged in each measurement point is performed. Thus, signal light is amplified. In order to make a difference between optical path lengths of the signal light and the reference light equal to or smaller than a coherence length, an optical path-length adjustment unit including a piezoelectric element or the like is arranged in an optical path of the reference light.

Abstract: It is made possible to amplify signal light of an optical fiber sensor and to perform measurement in a long distance. At least one of a plurality of core wires in a multicore optical fiber is used as a signal-light propagating core wire 133 and the other is used as a reference-light propagating core wire 134. Also, homodyne detection of signal light and reference light reflected by an FBG sensor unit 132 arranged in each measurement point is performed. Thus, signal light is amplified. In order to make a difference between optical path lengths of the signal light and the reference light equal to or smaller than a coherence length, an optical path-length adjustment unit including a piezoelectric element or the like is arranged in an optical path of the reference light.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric includes a fiber including a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion. A first fiber diameter of the first portion is smaller than a reference fiber diameter. A second fiber diameter of the second portion is equal to or greater than the reference fiber diameter. The reference fiber diameter is smaller than 1 ?m. A ratio of a maximum fiber diameter of the second portion to a length of a linear line connecting both end portions of the second portion is from 1/10 to 1/3.

Abstract: A laminated nonwoven fabric (NF) includes a first NF containing first fibers and a second NF containing second fibers and laminated on the first NF, and has a cut-off edge at an end thereof. An average diameter of the first fibers is larger than that of the second fibers not more than 3 ?m. 50% by mass to 70% by mass, inclusive, of the second fibers satisfy x?y, and 5% by mass to 30% by mass, inclusive, thereof satisfy x<y/2. “x” is a vector component in a direction (X axis direction) of the cut-off edge, and “y” is a vector component in Y axis direction perpendicular to X axis and parallel to a principal surface of the laminated NF. When the second NF is viewed from Z axis direction perpendicular to X and Y axes, at least some of the second fibers satisfying x<y/2 overlap the second fibers satisfying x?y.

Abstract: A laminated nonwoven fabric includes a first nonwoven fabric and a second nonwoven fabric. The first nonwoven fabric contains charged first fibers. The second nonwoven fabric contains second fibers, and is laminated on the first nonwoven fabric. A fiber diameter of the first fibers is larger than a fiber diameter of the second fibers.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric includes a fiber including a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion. A first fiber diameter of the first portion is smaller than a reference fiber diameter. A second fiber diameter of the second portion is equal to or greater than the reference fiber diameter. The reference fiber diameter is smaller than 1 ?m. A ratio of a maximum fiber diameter of the second portion to a length of a linear line connecting both end portions of the second portion is from 1/10 to ?.

Abstract: A laminated nonwoven fabric includes a first nonwoven fabric that comprises first fibers, and a second nonwoven fabric that comprises second fibers. The second nonwoven fabric is laminated on the first nonwoven fabric. An average fiber diameter D1 of the first fibers and an average fiber diameter D2 of the second fibers satisfy a relation of D1>D2. In viewed from a side of a principal surface of the second nonwoven fabric being not opposed to the first nonwoven fabric, a total area of first portions of the second fibers superimposed on the first fibers and existing on the nearer side than the first fibers is larger than a total area of second portions of the second fibers existing and superimposed on voids S of the first nonwoven fabric formed of the first fibers.

Abstract: Provided is an in vitro diagnostic tool configured to quantitatively or qualitatively detect a suspected substance in a test solution, the tool including: a first porous layer having a first surface and a second surface; a base sheet bonded to the first surface; a second porous layer bonded to the second surface; and a reagent configured to react with the suspected substance and carried in at least a part of the second porous layer, wherein: the first porous layer has a matrix structure of first nanofibers formed by electrostatic spinning; the second porous layer has a matrix structure of second nanofibers formed by electrostatic spinning; and a fiber diameter of the second nanofibers is smaller than a fiber diameter of the first nanofibers.

Abstract: A battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator interposed therebetween, and an electrolyte. The separator includes a plurality of nanofibers and has a form of a sheet having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereto. When the average maximum fiber diameter of the nanofibers in the plane direction of the separator is compared between in vicinities of the first and second surfaces and at a center portion in the thickness direction of the separator, average maximum fiber diameters Ds1 and Ds2 of the nanofibers in the vicinity of the first and second surfaces are smaller than an average maximum fiber diameter Dc of the nanofibers at the center portion in the thickness direction of the separator.

Abstract: Provided is an in vitro diagnostic tool configured to quantitatively or qualitatively detect a suspected substance in a test solution, the tool including: a first porous layer having a first surface and a second surface; a base sheet bonded to the first surface; a second porous layer bonded to the second surface; and a reagent configured to react with the suspected substance and carried in at least a part of the second porous layer, wherein: the first porous layer has a matrix structure of first nanofibers formed by electrostatic spinning; the second porous layer has a matrix structure of second nanofibers formed by electrostatic spinning; and a fiber diameter of the second nanofibers is smaller than a fiber diameter of the first nanofibers.

Abstract: A battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator interposed therebetween, and an electrolyte. The separator includes a plurality of nanofibers and has a form of a sheet having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereto. When the average maximum fiber diameter of the nanofibers in the plane direction of the separator is compared between in vicinities of the first and second surfaces and at a center portion in the thickness direction of the separator, average maximum fiber diameters Ds1 and Ds2 of the nanofibers in the vicinity of the first and second surfaces arc smaller than an average maximum fiber diameter Dc of the nanofibers at the center portion in the thickness direction of the separator.

Abstract: In the optical information reproduction apparatus using Homodyne phase diversity detection, the S/N ratio of a reproduced signal is deteriorated due to the influence of a quantization noise generated in an A/D converter for digitalizing a differential signal. The optical information reproduction apparatus is arranged to have the A/D converter for digitalizing the differential signal having a vertical resolution equal to or higher than 9 bits.

Abstract: A nanofiber manufacturing apparatus (100) which produces nanofibers (301) by electrically stretching a solution (300) in space. The apparatus includes: an effusing body (115) having effusing holes (118) for effusing the solution into the space, a tip part (116) in which openings (119) are arranged at given intervals, and two side wall parts (117) provided so as to extend from both sides of the tip part so that the effusing holes are located between the side wall parts and the distance between the side wall parts increases with the distance from the tip part; a charging electrode (121) disposed at a given distance from the effusing body; and a charging power supply (122) which applies a given voltage between the effusing body and the charging electrode.

Abstract: A nanofiber manufacturing apparatus (100) which produces nanofibers (301) by electrically stretching a solution (300) in space. The apparatus includes: an effusing body (115) having effusing holes (118) for effusing the solution into the space, a tip part (116) in which openings (119) are arranged at given intervals, and two side wall parts (117) provided so as to extend from both sides of the tip part so that the effusing holes are located between the side wall parts and the distance between the side wall parts increases with the distance from the tip part; a charging electrode (121) disposed at a given distance from the effusing body; and a charging power supply (122) which applies a given voltage between the effusing body and the charging electrode.