Abstract: An R-T-B permanent magnet that contains: main-phase grains composed of an R2T14B compound (where R is a rare earth element, T is a transition metal element, and B is boron); and grain boundaries. R includes Ce. The grain boundaries include multi-grain grain boundaries that are adjacent to three or more main-phase grains. The multi-grain grain boundaries include an R-rich phase, and lamellar or acicular R-T precipitates are present in the R-rich phase.

Abstract: An R-T-B-based permanent magnet including: R (rare earth element); T (Fe and Co); B (boron); and one or more selected from Al, Cu, Ga, and Zr. R includes Ce. The total R content is 31.3-34.0 mass % (inclusive), the Co content is 1.85-3.00 mass % (inclusive), the B content is 0.80-0.90 mass % (inclusive), the Al content is 0.03-0.90 mass % (inclusive), the Cu content is 0-0.25 mass % (inclusive), the Ga content is 0-0.10 mass % (inclusive), the Zr content is 0-0.60 mass % (inclusive), and the Fe content is substantially the remainder. The Ce content relative to R is 15-25 mass % (inclusive).

Abstract: An R-T-B permanent magnet that contains: main-phase grains composed of an R2T14B compound (where R is a rare earth element, T is a transition metal element, and B is boron); and grain boundaries. R includes Ce. The R-T-B permanent magnet has a Ce content of 15-35 mass % with respect to the total R content. The grain boundaries include an R-rich phase and an R-T phase. In a cross section of the R-T-B permanent magnet, the surface area ratio S(R-T) of the R-T phases with respect to the grain boundaries is 0.60-0.85.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a connection member that has an attaching and detaching direction defined to be orthogonal to a central axis of a distal end rigid portion in a longitudinal direction and is engaged with a wire connection portion of a movable member: and a rigid guide including a wire insertion path that guides a pulling wire, a distal end opening of the wire insertion path being disposed on a proximal end side of the movable member. The distal end opening of the wire insertion path of the rigid guide is disposed at a position closer to the central axis of the distal end rigid portion in an attaching direction of the connection member than a position in a plane formed by a rotation trajectory of the connection member.

Abstract: An insertion instrument includes: a holding member at a distal end of an insertion portion; a first hole formed in the holding member; a second hole that is formed in the holding member and that communicates with the first hole; a long member that is mounted to the holding member and that includes a distal end part and a main body portion; a partitioning member configured to narrow a space in which the main body portion is arranged; and a filler filling a gap around the long member.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a distal-end constituting portion provided at a distal end of an insertion portion of the endoscope: an observation window having a field of view direction that intersects a longitudinal axis of the insertion portion: a first flat surface on which the observation window is arranged, the first flat surface constituting a part of a surface of the distal-end constituting portion and having a first intersection angle with respect to the longitudinal axis: a second flat surface constituting a part of the surface of the distal-end constituting portion, the second flat surface being provided on a distal end side or a proximal end side with respect to the first flat surface, and having a second intersection angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, the second intersection angle being smaller than the first intersection angle; and a supply unit arranged on the second flat surface.

Abstract: An insertion portion of an endoscope including a distal end portion including: an exterior surface, a first channel including a first opening on the exterior surface, and a second channel including a second opening on the exterior surface and a third opening on the first channel. An elongated object is inserted into the first channel. A rigid portion is provided at a distal end of the first elongated object. The rigid portion including: an outer peripheral surface, and a first surface recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the rigid portion. Wherein both of the outer peripheral surface and the first surface are exposed within the third opening.

Abstract: An optical fiber fusion splicer includes an image acquisition unit, a condition setting unit, and a fusion splicing unit. The image acquisition unit acquires an image including each of end surfaces of first and second optical fibers that are splicing targets in a state where the end surfaces of the first and second optical fibers are disposed to face each other. The condition setting unit sets splicing conditions in accordance with a state of each of the end surfaces by identifying the state of each of the end surfaces on the basis of the image. The fusion splicing unit fusion-splices the first and second optical fibers together by means of discharge between a pair of electrode bars in accordance with the splicing conditions set by the condition setting unit.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an operating portion; an insertion tube that has a central axis; a bendable tube that is bendable in a curvature direction orthogonal to the central axis, the bendable tube including a plurality of bendable tube pieces that are arrayed along the central axis, adjacent bendable tube pieces being connected to each other by a pair of connection portions, the pair of connection portions being arranged line-symmetric with respect to the curvature direction; a distal end rigid portion that is provided on a distal end side of the bendable tube; and a wire having a first end connected to the operating portion, and a second end connected to either the bendable tube or the distal end rigid portion.

Abstract: An endoscope tubular connector includes: a connection joint including a through-hole; and a tubular portion that is formed of a material softer than the connection joint and that has one end arranged in the through-hole of the connection joint. The through-hole of the connection joint and a through-hole of the tubular portion are formed such that the through-holes are connected to each other, and an outer circumference of the tubular portion is arranged on an inner side with respect to an inner circumference of the connection joint.

Abstract: Mn—X based magnetic materials (such as a binary Mn—X-based magnetic material, a ternary Mn—X-based magnetic material, a quaternary Mn—X-based magnetic material, or a quinary Mn—X-based magnetic material), wherein X denotes at least one element of Al, Bi, Ga, and Rh, are described herein. The Mn—X based magnetic materials can comprise particles having a particle size of 20 ?m or less, wherein the particles comprise uniformly mixed constituent elements.

Abstract: A magnetic element including a magnetoresistive effect film (MEF). Magnetic element includes an MEF and nonmagnetic spacer layer, first and second ferromagnetic layers, wherein layers being disposed with nonmagnetic spacer layer interposed therebetween, pair of electrodes disposed with MEF interposed therebetween in stacking direction of MEF at least two first soft magnetic layers, coil, and second soft magnetic layer magnetically connected to coil, wherein second soft magnetic layer has ring-like shape, spacing distance between second soft magnetic layer and MEF is larger than first soft magnetic layer and MEF, film thickness of second soft magnetic layer is larger than first soft magnetic layer, part of the two first soft magnetic layers overlaps a part of second soft magnetic layer in stacking direction of MEF, first and second soft magnetic layers are magnetically coupled to each other, and MEF is disposed between respective fore ends of two first soft magnetic layers.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element includes a pair of first soft magnetic layers that are arranged opposite to each other so as to sandwich a magnetoresistive effect film; a second soft magnetic layer; and a coil that is windingly formed about the second soft magnetic layer. When a rear end region cross-sectional area of the first soft magnetic layers is defined as S1r and a tip end region cross-sectional area of the second soft magnetic layer is defined as S2f, S2f>S1r is established, and when a tip end width of the first soft magnetic layers is defined as W1f and a rear end width of the first soft magnetic layers is defined as W1r, W1r>W1f is established.

Abstract: A higher oscillation output is realized in a magnetic element utilizing high frequency characteristics of a magnetoresistive effect element. A magnetic element 1 includes a magnetoresistive effect film 10 including a magnetic pinned layer 14 and a magnetic free layer 12 with a non-magnetic spacer layer 13 interposed therebetween, and a pair of electrodes (lower electrode layer 11 and upper electrode layer 15) arranged with the magnetoresistive effect film 10 interposed therebetween in a stacking direction of the magnetoresistive effect film 10, wherein, given that a minimum value of an area of the magnetic free layer 12 in a section perpendicular to the stacking direction is denoted by Sf, and that a minimum value of an area of the magnetic pinned layer 14 in a section perpendicular to the stacking direction is denoted by Spm, relation of Sf>Spm is satisfied.

Abstract: A magnetic element including a magnetoresistive effect film (MEF). Magnetic element includes an MEF and nonmagnetic spacer layer, first and second ferromagnetic layers, wherein layers being disposed with nonmagnetic spacer layer interposed therebetween, pair of electrodes disposed with MEF interposed therebetween in stacking direction of MEF at least two first soft magnetic layers, coil, and second soft magnetic layer magnetically connected to coil, wherein second soft magnetic layer has ring-like shape, spacing distance between second soft magnetic layer and MEF is larger than first soft magnetic layer and MEF, film thickness of second soft magnetic layer is larger than first soft magnetic layer, part of the two first soft magnetic layers overlaps a part of second soft magnetic layer in stacking direction of MEF, first and second soft magnetic layers are magnetically coupled to each other, and MEF is disposed between respective fore ends of two first soft magnetic layers.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic oscillation element includes a pinned magnetic layer, a free magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer provided between the pinned magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer, and a pair of electrodes, in which the easy axis of magnetization of the pinned magnetic layer lies in an in-plane direction of the plane of the pinned magnetic layer, and the easy axis of magnetization of the free magnetic layer lies in a direction normal to the plane of the free magnetic layer. Preferably, the relationship between the saturation magnetization Ms and the magnetic anisotropy field Ha of the free magnetic layer satisfies 1.257 Ms<Ha<12.57 Ms. More preferably, the free magnetic layer is composed of an alloy or a stacked film containing at least one element selected from Co, Ni, Fe, and B.

Abstract: In a variable voltage circuit 50, a resistive element 104 and a magnetoresistance effect element 108 are connected in series between a first voltage source 101 and a second voltage source 102. A magnetic field supply mechanism 121 that applies a magnetic field to the magnetoresistance effect element 108 is provided in the vicinity of the magnetoresistance effect element 108. The magnetic field supply mechanism 121 can vary the resistance value of the magnetoresistance effect element 108 by varying the magnetic field. A node 106 between the resistive element 104 and the magnetoresistance effect element 108 is connected to an output terminal 103.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element includes a pair of first soft magnetic layers that are arranged opposite to each other so as to sandwich a magnetoresistive effect film; a second soft magnetic layer; and a coil that is windingly formed about the second soft magnetic layer. When a rear end region cross-sectional area of the first soft magnetic layers is defined as S1r and a tip end region cross-sectional area of the second soft magnetic layer is defined as S2f, S2f>S1r is established, and when a tip end width of the first soft magnetic layers is defined as W1f and a rear end width of the first soft magnetic layers is defined as W1r, W1r>W1f is established.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is provided in which recording elements and concave portions have a clear difference in terms of magnetism at the boundaries therebetween, and which has favorable production efficiency. The magnetic recording medium includes a substrate; a recording layer formed in a predetermined concavo-convex pattern over the substrate, convex portions of the concavo-convex pattern serving as recording elements; and a filler portion filling a concave portion between the recording elements. A center part of a bottom surface of the concave portion protrudes from edge parts of the bottom surface of the concave portion in a direction away from the substrate.

Abstract: A highly reliable magnetic recording medium is provided which has a recording layer formed in a concavo-convex pattern and wherein the recording layer is unlikely to cause a change in magnetic properties. The magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, a recording layer formed in a predetermined concavo-convex pattern over the substrate, convex portions of the concavo-convex pattern serving as recording elements; and a filler portion filling a concave portion between the recording elements. The filler portion comprises a metal-based main filler material and oxygen. Oxygen is unevenly distributed in the filler portion so that the ratio of the number of oxygen atoms to the total of the number of atoms of the main filler material and the number of oxygen atoms is greater in an upper surface portion of the filler portion than in a lower portion of the filler portion.