Abstract: A permanent magnet (21) is provided to the mirror (20). The mirror (20) can oscillate with respect to a reference plane (101), by using a first axis (201) and a second axis (202) not being parallel to the first axis (201) as oscillation axes. The first electromagnet (30) causes the mirror (20) to oscillate with respect to the first axis (201). The second electromagnet (40) causes the mirror (20) to oscillate with respect to the second axis (202). Then, at least either (A) or (B) indicated below is established in the actuator (10). (A) The first electromagnet (30) is not line-symmetric with respect to the first axis (201) as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane (101). (B) The second electromagnet (40) is not line-symmetric with respect to the second axis (202) as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane (101).

Abstract: An actuator includes a mirror and an electromagnet. The mirror is provided with a permanent magnet and is capable of oscillating about a first axis and a second axis as oscillation axes with respect to a reference plane. The second axis is non-parallel to the first axis. The electromagnet has a yoke and a coil and applies a magnetic flux to the permanent magnet. Both ends of the yoke face each other at least partially across a gap. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the reference plane, a center Cg of the gap does not overlap a center Cm of the permanent magnet. A current I1 for causing the mirror to oscillate with respect to the first axis and a current I2 for causing the mirror to oscillate with respect to the second axis are superimposed and flowed through the coil.

Abstract: An optical deflector capable of making a swing angle of a reflective plate larger is provided. In drive elements, since a size in the Y direction at first positions separated by a first distance from the reflective plate is larger than a size in the Y direction at second positions separated by a second distance from the reflective plate, the second distance being greater than the first distance, it is possible to increase displacement of tips of beam portions at the first positions and to make a swing angle of the reflective plate large by increasing a generated force of the entire beam portions.

Abstract: A mirror scanner comprising: a mirror having a first surface that reflects a light, the mirror being swingable about a swing axis; a permanent magnet disposed on a second surface which is a surface opposite of the first surface of the mirror; and a yoke having a pair of magnetic field generating ends and a pair of extending portions, the pair of magnetic field generating ends being disposed at positions facing the permanent magnet in the second surface side of the mirror, the pair of extending portions extending along the second surface of the mirror.

Abstract: An optical deflector capable of making a swing angle of a reflective plate larger is provided. In drive elements, since a size in the Y direction at first positions separated by a first distance from the reflective plate is larger than a size in the Y direction at second positions separated by a second distance from the reflective plate, the second distance being greater than the first distance, it is possible to increase displacement of tips of beam portions at the first positions and to make a swing angle of the reflective plate large by increasing a generated force of the entire beam portions.

Abstract: A driving apparatus (101) is provided with: a first base part (110); a second base part (120); an elastic part (210) configured to couple the first base part with the second base part; and a driven part (400) supported by the second base part in a drivable aspect. According to such a driving apparatus, for example, if a driving force is applied to the first base part, the driving force is transmitted to the second base part via the elastic part. Thus, the driven part supported by the second base part can be preferably driven.

Abstract: A physical properties detection device comprising a probe to be placed near or touching a surface of a ferroelectric; an oscillation loop including the probe and capacitance within the ferroelectric; and detection means for detecting a physical properties of the ferroelectric on the basis of a frequency variation of a measurement signal generated in the oscillation loop, the frequency variation accompanying application of an alternating electric field to the ferroelectric; and the physical properties detection device is further comprising frequency conversion means for converting the frequency of the measurement signal to a low frequency and outputting the resulting signal as a converted measurement signal; frequency control means for controlling the frequency of the converted measurement signal so as to match a target frequency; frequency detection means for generating a frequency detection signal that has a signal level corresponding to the frequency of the converted measurement signal; and synchronous dete

Abstract: A device for detecting polarization direction of a ferroelectric is provided. From a measurement signal provided through a probe disposed in contact with or near the surface of a ferroelectric, a demodulation means generates a detection signal having a signal level corresponding to a capacitance change of the ferroelectric due to application of an alternating electric field to a capacitor component formed in the ferroelectric directly below the probe. A synchronous detection means performs synchronous detection of the detection signal based on a synchronous signal and generates a polarization direction detection signal corresponding to the polarization direction of the ferroelectric. A pseudo-noise signal generation means generates a pseudo-noise signal with the same frequency as that of the electric field signal and a different phase and amplitude therefrom.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing device is provided with a recording medium with a recording surface, a plurality of probes that carry out at least either record processing or reproduction processing by scanning a plurality of information tracks on the recording surface, a position detecting means that detects a position of at least one information track by using the probe for every plural divided regions into which the recording medium is divided in a direction intersecting the plural information tracks and which contain at least one information track, and a track control means that controls tracking of the probe used for at least either record processing or reproduction processing for every plural divided regions. Thus, the device structure can be simplified.

Abstract: A device for detecting polarization direction of a ferroelectric is provided. From a measurement signal provided through a probe disposed in contact with or near the surface of a ferroelectric, a demodulation means generates a detection signal having a signal level corresponding to a capacitance change of the ferroelectric due to application of an alternating electric field to a capacitor component formed in the ferroelectric directly below the probe. A synchronous detection means performs synchronous detection of the detection signal based on a synchronous signal and generates a polarization direction detection signal corresponding to the polarization direction of the ferroelectric. A pseudo-noise signal generation means generates a pseudo-noise signal with the same frequency as that of the electric field signal and a different phase and amplitude therefrom.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing device includes with a recording medium having a recording surface and a probe array in which a plurality of probes are disposed in a direction intersecting at least a track direction for carrying out either the record processing or the reproduction processing of information by scanning a plurality of information tracks in parallel with the track direction along the rack direction on the recording surface. One of the recording medium and the probe array is divided into a plurality of divided portions in the intersecting direction, so that each of them is configured to include at least one information track or probe. The information recording/reproducing device also includes a first driving element for driving each of the plural portions divided in the intersecting direction and a second driving element for driving each of the probe arrays in the track direction with respect to the recording surface.

Abstract: A physical properties detection device comprising a probe to be placed near or touching a surface of a ferroelectric; an oscillation loop including the probe and capacitance within the ferroelectric; and detection means for detecting a physical properties of the ferroelectric on the basis of a frequency variation of a measurement signal generated in the oscillation loop, the frequency variation accompanying application of an alternating electric field to the ferroelectric; and the physical properties detection device is further comprising frequency conversion means for converting the frequency of the measurement signal to a low frequency and outputting the resulting signal as a converted measurement signal; frequency control means for controlling the frequency of the converted measurement signal so as to match a target frequency; frequency detection means for generating a frequency detection signal that has a signal level corresponding to the frequency of the converted measurement signal; and synchronous dete

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing device is provided with a recording medium with a recording surface, a plurality of probes that carry out at least either record processing or reproduction processing by scanning a plurality of information tracks on the recording surface, a position detecting means that detects a position of at least one information track by using the probe for every plural divided regions into which the recording medium is divided in a direction intersecting the plural information tracks and which contain at least one information track, and a track control means that controls tracking of the probe used for at least either record processing or reproduction processing for every plural divided regions. Thus, the device structure can be simplified.