Abstract: In a piezoelectric element, a cubic or tetragonal orientation control layer (15) is provided on a first electrode layer (14), and formed on the orientation control layer (15) is a piezoelectric layer (16) having a rhombohedral or tetragonal crystalline structure and made of lead zirconate titanate to which a Pb-containing complex perovskite compound expressed by the chemical formula Pb(AaBb)O3 has been added in an amount that is from 1 mol % to 50 mol %. The piezoelectric layer (16) is formed so that the crystal grains thereof become columnar grains which extend in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric layer (16) and in which the ratio of the average cross-sectional diameter to the length is from 1/50 to 1/14.

Abstract: A lead content in a piezoelectric thin film (3) of a piezoelectric element (20) is made smaller as compared to stoichiometric composition. More specifically, the piezoelectric thin film (3) is made of lead zirconate titanate expressed as Pb(1?x)(Zr(1?s)Tis)O3(0<s<1) or lead-zirconate-titanate-based oxide expressed as (Pb(1?x?y)Ay)(Zr(1?t)TisBt)O3(0<s<1, 0<t<1?s) where A is a substitutive metal ion in an A-site in the perovskite crystalline structure and B is a substitutive metal ion in a B-site in the perovskite crystalline structure. The value of x, which indicates a deficiency in Pb content in each composition, is more than 0 but not more than 0.15.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a first electrode; a piezoelectric layered film composed of a first piezoelectric film formed on the first electrode film and a second piezoelectric film that is formed on the first piezoelectric film and is controlled in crystal orientation thereof by the first piezoelectric film; and a second electrode film formed on the second piezoelectric film. Each of the first and second piezoelectric films is an aggregate of columnar grains grown unidirectionally along a thickness direction of the piezoelectric layered film. A columnar grain of the second piezoelectric film has a larger cross-sectional diameter than a columnar grain of the first piezoelectric film. A ratio l/d of the thickness l of the piezoelectric layered film to the cross-sectional diameter d of the second piezoelectric film is not less than 20 and not more than 60.

Abstract: An ink jet head unit comprises a head 2 in which plural nozzle arrays 2a, 2b, 2c, 3d of which each comprises many nozzle holes are formed, and ink is ejected from the nozzle holes; a head base on which the head 2 is mounted; and flat cables 4a, 4b flexibly formed by covering many transmission wires with an insulation film, of which one end sides where the transmission wires are exposed are fixed, in mounted parts 7a, 7b interposed between the nozzle arrays 2a, 2b and the nozzle arrays 2c, 2d, onto the head 2 thereby to transmit ink ejection signals for driving the head 2.

Abstract: Plural nozzle arrays of which each comprises plural nozzle holes 247a from which ink is ejected are arranged slantingly in a main scanning direction. A distance between a first arbitrary nozzle hole 247a-1 and a second nozzle hole 247a-2, in a nozzle array adjacent to the array to which this first nozzle hole 247a-1 belongs, which is adjacent to the first nozzle hole 247a-1, and a distance between the first nozzle hole 247a-1 and a third nozzle hole 247a-3, in the nozzle array to which the second nozzle hole 247a-2 belongs, which is further adjacent to the first nozzle hole 247a-1 are different from each other.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus, which performs printing by ink ejection, comprises a pressure chamber in which ink liquid is filled; a nozzle hole 116 which is formed communicating with the pressure chamber; a piezoelectric element 113 which is formed on the pressure chamber, and deforms the pressure chamber by mechanical expansion and contraction, whereby pressure is generated in the pressure chamber and ink is ejected from the nozzle hole 116; and a dew point control unit 123 which keeps a dew point in an atmosphere of the piezoelectric element 113 and the vicinity of the piezoelectric element 113 at a lower value than a dew point in an environment where the ink jet recording apparatus is set. The dew point control unit 123 comprises a compressor 123a, and an air drier 123b which dries compression gas from this compressor 123a and feeds it to the piezoelectric element 113.

Abstract: In a piezoelectric element comprising a first electrode 2 provided on a substrate 1, a piezoelectric material 3 provided on the first electrode 2 and a second electrode 4 provided on the piezoelectric material 3, the piezoelectric material 3 is configured so as to have a perovskite type crystal structure which is represented by a formula ABO3 and in which the main component for the A site is Pb and the main components for the B site are Zr, Ti and Pb, and configured so that a ratio of Pb atoms to all atoms in the B site is more than 3% and not more than 30%. Namely, the piezoelectric material 3 is formed so as to contain Pb excessively and the excess Pb atoms are activated to be Pb4+ during formation of the piezoelectric material 3 and then introduced into the B site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for a detecting tracking short. In some embodiments, the method may include detecting current flowing on an electric circuit. In other embodiments, the method may include calculating the frequency distribution of the variation of the current detected in a predetermined period. In an embodiment, the method may include outputting a detecting signal in case the frequency of variations included in the predetermined range satisfies a judgement reference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a piezo-electric thin film element includes a substrate, a first electrode formed on the substrate, a dielectric thin film formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the dielectric film. The dielectric film includes a piezo-electric layer exhibiting piezo-electric characteristics, and a stress-reducing layer for lowering the stress between the substrate and the dielectric film.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thin film can achieve a large piezoelectric displacement. A chemical composition of the piezoelectric thin film is expressed by Pb1+a(ZrxTi1−x)O3+a(0.2≦a≦0.6 and 0.50≦x≦0.62). The crystal structure of the piezoelectric thin film is a mixture of a perovskite columnar crystal region (24) having an ionic defect in which a portion of the constitutive elements of an oxygen ion, a titanium ion, and a zirconium ion is missing and a perovskite columnar crystal region (25) of stoichiometric composition having no ionic defect. This configuration allows a residual compressive stress in the crystal to be relaxed by the perovskite columnar crystal region (24) having an ionic defect, thus achieving a large piezoelectric displacement (displacement amount).

Abstract: A dielectric thin film element enables controlling of a crystal orientation of a dielectric thin film and optimization of a variety of characteristics such as electric characteristics. This dielectric thin film element (10) comprises a substrate (11), a first electrode (12) formed on the substrate (11), a dielectric thin film (13) formed on the first electrode (12) and a second electrode (14) formed on the dielectric thin film (13) and is fabricated with the substrate (11) being heated. A material having a predetermined thermal expansion coefficient is used as the material of the substrate (11), and a crystal orientation of the dielectric thin film (13) is controlled by the thermal expansion coefficient of the substrate (11).

Abstract: By adopting a recycle goods sales system, a user can always use a new machine and dispense with a maintenance operation for a consumable member such as a toner on a user's part. A manufacturer can reduce prices of parts of a host machine by employing common parts and earn profits from options such as a printer interface. Therefore, this invention provides the recycle goods sales system which can promote spreading the electronic equipment article which employs the toner as a consumable member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric film and a second electrode and vibration plate are formed on one surface of a deposition substrate that transmits ultraviolet rays therethrough. A transfer substrate is attached to the second electrode and vibration plate. The other surface of the deposition substrate is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. The deposition substrate and the piezoelectric film are separated from each other by the energy of the ultraviolet rays, thus transferring the piezoelectric film and the second electrode and vibration plate onto the transfer substrate.

Abstract: To manufacture a compact and high-performance thin-film piezoelectric bimorph element at low cost, first and second piezoelectric thin films (2, 3) are formed by sputtering on the both surfaces of a metal thin plate (1) which are opposing relation to each other along the thickness thereof, while the respective states of polarizations of the first and second piezoelectric thin films (2, 3) are controlled. A pair of electrode films (5) are formed on the respective surfaces of the first and second piezoelectric thin films (2, 3) opposite to the metal thin plate (1).

Abstract: There is provided an ink-jet head having ink outlets formed at a high density for use in an ink-jet recorder. The ink-jet head comprises ink outlets, compression chambers communicating with the ink outlets, and piezoelectric vibration sections, each being provided on a part of each of the compression chambers and including a piezoelectric film containing Pb, Ti and Zr, and electrodes provided on both sides of the piezoelectric film. The piezoelectric film comprises a first layer and a second layer which each have a perovskite structure and are formed in contact with each other, wherein the first layer is formed as a layer containing no Zr or as a layer containing a smaller amount of Zr than that contained in the second layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a compact and high performance infrared radiation detector. The infrared radiation detector contains: a substrate; and at least two infrared radiation detector units selected from the group consisting of a pyroelectric infrared radiation detector unit, a resistive bolometer type infrared radiation detector unit and a ferroelectric bolometer type infrared radiation detector unit, the infrared radiation detector units being disposed on the same side of the substrate.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor 201 comprises a longitudinal effect type detection unit 203 and a lateral effect type detection unit 204. The longitudinal effect type detection unit 203 comprises a longitudinal effect type piezoelectric element 211 comprising a piezoelectric body 211a of a thin film, an electrode 211b and an electrode 211c, which is formed on a deposition substrate 221 serving also as a weight. The lateral effect type detection unit 204 is constituted by providing a lateral effect type piezoelectric element 213 comprising a piezoelectric body 213a of a thin film, an electrode 213b and an electrode 213c, which is formed on the deposition substrate 221 and is cantilevered above a groovy recessed part 105a on a substrate 105. A detection circuit 116 detects an acceleration in a predetermined direction, based on an output of both the longitudinal effect type detection unit 203 and the lateral effect type detection unit 204.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a small, light, highly accurate and inexpensive thin film sensor element is disclosed. The thin film sensor element comprises a sensor holding substrate having an opening part and a multilayer film structure adhered thereon. The multilayer film structure comprises a first electrode film, a second electrode film, and a piezoelectric dielectric oxide film present between the first and second electrode films. The method of manufacturing the thin film sensor element comprises the steps of: forming the multilayer film structure by forming the first electrode film having a (100) plane orientation on a surface of an alkali halide substrate, forming the piezoelectric dielectric oxide thereon, and forming the second electrode film on the piezoelectric dielectric oxide; adhering the multilayer film structure on the surface of the sensor holding substrate having the opening part; and dissolving and removing the alkali halide substrate with water.

Abstract: A temperature sensor element for measuring the temperature of exhaust gas from car engines comprises a metallic support having a shape of a flat board, a first electric-insulating film existing on the support, a first temperature sensitive film existing on the first electric-insulating film and having a pair of electrodes, and a second electric-insulating film existing on the temperature sensitive film. The element is superior in thermal shock resistance. The element needs no heat-resistant cap. The element is superior in heat-response since the element has a small heat capacity.

Abstract: A thermal recording apparatus records information on a thermal recording sheet, the thermal recording sheet having a thermal characteristic by which the information is recorded through heating the thermal recording sheet to a first temperature and information which has been recorded on the thermal recording sheet is erased therefrom by heating the thermal recording sheet to a second temperature. The thermal recording apparatus includes, a thermal head for heating the thermal recording sheet in a pattern, a recording controller for driving the thermal head so that the thermal recording sheet is heated to the first temperature in a pattern corresponding to the information to be recorded, and an erasing controller for supplying thermal energy to the thermal recording sheet on which information has been recorded by using the thermal head so that the thermal recording sheet is heated to the second temperature.