Abstract: A Faraday rotator of multilayer film type is provided which can achieve excellent optical characteristics with a reduced number of layers. In the Faraday rotator, a metal reflection film, a periodic dielectric multilayer film made of silicon dioxide SiO2 and tantalum pentoxide Ta2O5, a magneto-optical thin film, and another periodic dielectric multilayer film made of tantalum pentoxide Ta2O5 and silicon dioxide SiO2 is formed sequentially. Light incident on a polarizer goes therethrough, is reflected at the metal reflection film while traveling trough the periodic dielectric multilayer films, and goes through an analyzer to exit out.

Abstract: A camera system includes a lens unit and a camera body to which the lens unit is detachably attached. The lens unit has a photographing lens, an imaging device which receives light transmitted through the photographing lens, and a lens-side connecting terminal for electric connection. The camera body has a camera-side connecting terminal which is connectable to the lens-side connecting terminal, and a movable member which is movable between a first position that is close to the camera-side connecting terminal and a second position that is far from the camera-side connecting terminal. The camera-side connecting terminal is shut in the camera body when the movable member is in the first position, and the lens unit can be attached when the movable member is in the second position.

Abstract: A camera has an operation member and a display processor. The operation member is operated to select specific camera information from a series of camera information associated with a photograph. The display processor displays the plurality of setting items with a captured image on a display. The operation member has a first selecting member and a second selecting member. The firs t selecting member is operated to designate a setting item along a first direction in order, and in accordance with the arrangement of the plurality of setting items. The second selecting member is opposite to the first selecting member, and is operated to designate a setting item in order along a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction. The display processor performs a selection-display process to express a setting item selected by an operation of the first selecting member or second selecting member.

Abstract: Provided are an image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same, an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, and a program for implementing these methods, in which the fact that a setting is to be changed can be reported to a host apparatus through a simple arrangement. The image forming apparatus for attaining this object includes storage unit for storing the latest set value of the apparatus, transmitting unit for transmitting the latest set value, which has been stored in the storage unit, to the host apparatus in response to a request from the host apparatus, and updating unit for receiving a print setting from the host apparatus and updating the latest set value stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator of multilayer film type is provided in which satisfactory optical characteristics are obtained with a small number of layers. In the Faraday rotator, a first periodic dielectric multilayer film made of silicon dioxide SiO2 and tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5 is formed on a substrate, then a magneto-optical thin film, and a second periodic dielectric multilayer film made of tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5 and silicon dioxide SiO2 are formed sequentially. The first and second periodic dielectric multilayer films sandwich the magneto-optical thin film such that their respective higher refractive dielectric thin films are in contact with the magneto-optical thin film. The number of layers of the first periodic dielectric multilayer film is larger than that of the second periodic dielectric multilayer film.

Abstract: A reflection type Faraday rotator includes first to sixth reflection type sub-rotators. Light is made incident on the first to sixth sub-rotators while repeating reflecting thereat. A Faraday rotation occurs at a sub-rotator having a center wavelength equal to the wavelength of the light The sub-rotators are of reflection-type, have a larger bandwidth of outgoing light compared to a transmission type, and have center wavelengths (wavelength characteristics) different from one another. Thus, the effective wavelength range (the wavelength bandwidth) is increased. Expensive optical devices conventionally required for increasing the wavelength bandwidth are not needed. Accordingly, the cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A plurality of solar batteries are provided between a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate are formed of, for example, a paper or a non-woven cloth, which is a material including a natural fiber, cellulose, as the main component. Papers and silicon have relatively small difference in coefficient of thermal expansion so that warp caused by changes in the temperature is suppressed. Also, papers are light, easy to be processed and spontaneously decomposed so that disposing becomes easy. The first substrate is preferable to be transparent or semitransparent and preferable to be formed of cellophane paper, glassine paper, parchment paper, or Japanese paper. Oil may be included in the material. The second substrate is preferable to be opaque. A waterproof film may be formed on the first substrate and the second substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording apparatus which has recording sheet discriminating means for discriminating a kind of the recording sheet to be supplied to the recording means, a printer driver for controlling a recording operation of the recording means on the basis of recording sheet an information of conforming to the kind of the recording sheet discriminated by the recording sheet discriminating means, judging means for judging whether the recording sheet of which the kind has been discriminated by the recording sheet discriminating means is included in of a preset specific kind recording sheet, and recording sheet information inputting means for inputting the information of the recording sheet to be supplied to the recording means when it is judged by the judging means that the recording sheet of which the kind has been discriminated is not included in the specific kind of recording sheets.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator is provided which obtains excellent optical characteristics with a small number of layers. In the Faraday rotator, a metal reflective film is formed on a substrate, then a first periodic dielectric multilayer film made of silicon dioxide SiO2 and tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5, a magneto-optical thin film, and a second periodic dielectric multilayer film made of tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5 and silicon dioxide SiO2 are formed sequentially. The number of layers of the first periodic dielectric multilayer film is larger than that of the second periodic dielectric multilayer film. Incident light from a polarizer passes through the periodic dielectric multilayer films, is reflected at the metal reflective film, returns through the periodic dielectric multilayer films, and passes through an analyzer to exit out.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magneto-optical member capable of ensuring an excellent light transmittance and an optical isolator using the same. A first one-dimensional magnetic photonic crystal having a magneto-optical thin film, and a second one-dimensional magnetic photonic crystal having another magneto-optical thin film are laminated so as to sandwich a dielectric thin film with a small refractive index having an optical length of &lgr;/4+m&lgr;/2 where &lgr; is a wavelength of light and m is 0 or a positive integer. Since a plurality of magneto-optical thin films are present as magnetic thin films and hence the total thickness of the magnetic thin films is increased, the Faraday rotation angle is increased. Also, a large light transmittance can be obtained because of the presence of the dielectric thin film with a small refractive index having (&lgr;/4+m&lgr;/2) thickness where the first and second one-dimensional magnetic photonic crystals are laminated.

Abstract: A first device unit is formed by adhering a backside support substrate to a backside of a first device layer. A second device unit is formed by adhering a surface support substrate to a surface of a second device layer. A thin film device comprising the first and the second device layers is manufactured by adhering the first and the second device units to face the first device layer and the second device layer each other. The first and the second device layers are individually formed in the manufacturing process of the first and the second device units. This has no limitation in a method of forming the device layer unlike the case where forming a plurality of device layers by stacking in order.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator of multilayer film type is provided in which satisfactory optical characteristics are obtained with a small number of layers. In the Faraday rotator, a first periodic dielectric multilayer film made of silicon dioxide SiO2 and tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5 is formed on a substrate, then a magneto-optical thin film, and a second periodic dielectric multilayer film made of tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5 and silicon dioxide SiO2 are formed sequentially. The first and second periodic dielectric multilayer films sandwich the magneto-optical thin film such that their respective higher refractive dielectric thin films are in contact with the magneto-optical thin film. The number of layers of the first periodic dielectric multilayer film is larger than that of the second periodic dielectric multilayer film.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator is provided which obtains excellent optical characteristics with a small number of layers. In the Faraday rotator, a metal reflective film is formed on a substrate, then a first periodic dielectric multilayer film made of silicon dioxide SiO2 and tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5, a magneto-optical thin film, and a second periodic dielectric multilayer film made of tantalum pentaoxide Ta2O5 and silicon dioxide SiO2 are formed sequentially. The number of layers of the first periodic dielectric multilayer film is larger than that of the second periodic dielectric multilayer film. Incident light from a polarizer passes through the periodic dielectric multilayer films, is reflected at the metal reflective film, returns through the periodic dielectric multilayer films, and passes through an analyzer to exit out.

Abstract: A reflection type Faraday rotator includes first to sixth reflection type sub-rotators. Light is made incident on the first to sixth sub-rotators while repeating reflecting thereat. A Faraday rotation occurs at a sub-rotator having a center wavelength equal to the wavelength of the light The sub-rotators are of reflection-type, have a larger bandwidth of outgoing light compared to a transmission type, and have center wavelengths (wavelength characteristics) different from one another. Thus, the effective wavelength range (the wavelength bandwidth) is increased. Expensive optical devices conventionally required for increasing the wavelength bandwidth are not needed. Accordingly, the cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator of multilayer film type is provided which can achieve excellent optical characteristics with a reduced number of layers. In the Faraday rotator, a metal reflection film, a periodic dielectric multilayer film made of silicon dioxide SiO2 and tantalum pentoxide Ta2O5, a magneto-optical thin film, and another periodic dielectric multilayer film made of tantalum pentoxide Ta2O5 and silicon dioxide SiO2 is formed sequentially. Light incident on a polarizer goes therethrough, is reflected at the metal reflection film while traveling trough the periodic dielectric multilayer films, and goes through an analyzer to exit out.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, particularly a solar cell, which is capable of forming a desired electrode pattern by a simple process at low cost. In the method, p-type semiconductor layers are formed on a silicon substrate, and a n-type semiconductor layer is formed on the p-type semiconductor layers, and partially removed in a predetermined pattern by laser abrasion to expose the p-type semiconductor layers, thereby forming an electrode pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magneto-optical member capable of ensuring an excellent light transmittance and an optical isolator using the same. A first one-dimensional magnetic photonic crystal having a magneto-optical thin film, and a second one-dimensional magnetic photonic crystal having another magneto-optical thin film are laminated so as to sandwich a dielectric thin film with a small refractive index having an optical length of &lgr;/4+m&lgr;/2 where &lgr; is a wavelength of light and m is 0 or a positive integer. Since a plurality of magneto-optical thin films are present as magnetic thin films and hence the total thickness of the magnetic thin films is increased, the Faraday rotation angle is increased. Also, a large light transmittance can be obtained because of the presence of the dielectric thin film with a small refractive index having (&lgr;/4+m&lgr;/2) thickness where the first and second one-dimensional magnetic photonic crystals are laminated.