Abstract: A practical optical waveguide circuit is provided which includes many intersections but is low loss. The width of a waveguide core is w1 at input and output terminal sections and w2 at an intersecting section, where w2>w1. The core width of the intersecting section is made different from that of the input and output terminal sections, or the core height of the intersecting section is made different from that of the input and output terminal sections. The core width is smoothly varied between the intersecting section and the input and output terminal sections by a tapered section. When the number of the waveguides intersecting with the intersecting section is 100, the intersection loss is 5.8 dB for the conventional device where w2=w1=5 ?m, but is 1.8 dB when w2=12 ?m, thereby being able to reduce the intersection loss sharply.

Abstract: An optical module controls its output characteristics electrically and an optical switch constitutes the optical module. An optical waveguide circuit (PLC) and an electronic circuit (IC) for driving the PLC are mounted on the same substrate. The IC is composed of a bare chip to be molded afterward. Wiring of the IC is grouped and integrated on the PLC substrate to achieve higher density and miniaturization of the optical module.

Abstract: A practical optical waveguide circuit is provided which includes many intersections but is low loss. The width of a waveguide core is w1 at input and output terminal sections and w2 at an intersecting section, where w2>w1. The core width of the intersecting section is made different from that of the input and output terminal sections, or the core height of the intersecting section is made different from that of the input and output terminal sections. The core width is smoothly varied between the intersecting section and the input and output terminal sections by a tapered section. When the number of the waveguides intersecting with the intersecting section is 100, the intersection loss is 5.8 dB for the conventional device where w2=w1=5 &mgr;m, but is 1.8 dB when w2=12 &mgr;m, thereby being able to reduce the intersection loss sharply.

Abstract: A shift control apparatus for an automatic transmission of a vehicle wherein a plurality of speed ratios are achieved by electronically controlling individual hydraulic pressures supplied to a plurality of frictional engaging elements to selectively engage these frictional engaging elements, which includes speed ratio select members for changing over the speed ratio of the automatic transmission from a neutral position to a running position, operation condition determination members for determining operation condition of the vehicle, an electromagnetic valve for controlling hydraulic pressure supplied to a first frictional engaging element to achieve a first speed; and electromagnetic valve control members for controlling operation of the electromagnetic valve so that when the speed ratio select members is determined by the operation condition determination means to be slowly manipulated, a supply time of a maximum hydraulic pressure to the first frictional engaging element is extended by a predetermined time

Abstract: Hydraulic pressure supplied to the frictional engaging element of an automotive transmission is corrected to a higher value in the event that the engine is started after a long standstill condition and the first speed ratio is selected, thereby reducing speed-shift shocks when the engine is started from a standstill condition and the first speed ratio is selected.

Abstract: Fine and homogeneous oxide particles for superconductors which can be sintered at a low temperature are prepared in a liquid phase by the sol-gel method using alkoxides as starting materials. By forming a buffer layer between a substrate and a superconducting film, good-quality and oriented superconducting film can be fabricated. Highly c-axis-oriented superconducting film and bulk products can be prepared from particular starting compositions in Ln-Ae-Cu-O and Bi-Ae-Cu-O systems. The oriented film can be produced by painting a paste of such starting compositions on a substrate followed by sintering, and the bulk form can be produced by pressing the pre-sintered powder of such starting compositions.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission for a vehicle having at least one frictional engaging element and an electromagnetic valve to control hydraulic pressure supplied to the frictional engaging element and achieving a plurality of speed ratios including a predetermined speed ratio achieved by engaging the frictional engaging element, a shift control apparatus includes retardation rate detection means for detecting retardation rate of the vehicle and electromagnetic valve control means for controlling the electromagnetic valve according to the value detected by the retardation rate detection means, and hydraulic pressure supplied to the frictional engaging element is corrected by the electromagnetic valve through electromagnetic valve control means according to the retardation rate of the vehicle detected by the retardation rate detection means, thereby reducing speed-shift shocks during a down-shift in association with retardation of the vehicle.