Abstract: A generator includes a sliding member, a first power generation element and a second power generation element. The sliding member is made of a biomass-containing material. The first power generation element is configured to slide with respect to the sliding member. The second power generation element is configured to generate electrical power by variation of its relative position with respect to the first power generation element.

Abstract: A generator includes a sliding member, a first power generation element and a second power generation element. The sliding member is made of a biomass-containing material. The first power generation element is configured to slide with respect to the sliding member. The second power generation element is configured to generate electrical power by variation of its relative position with respect to the first power generation element.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing an optical component includes: a process for forming optical surface of mirror-finishing a surface of an object-to-be-processed that is formed of glass; a heating process of heating the object-to-be-processed that is mirror-finished; and a film forming process of forming an optical thin film on the surface of the object-to-be-processed that is heated in the heating process. In the heating process, a temperature of the object-to-be-processed is from 0.75 times or more to 1 times or less of a glass transition point Tg (K) of the object-to-be-processed.

Abstract: The invention provides a fabrication process for single-crystal optical devices wherein, in a processing step for a single-crystal optical device, at least one heating treatment is implemented at a temperature that is 0.50 times to less than 0.67 times as high as the melting point of a single-crystal material after a member is cut out of a matrix material for the single-crystal material having a melting point of greater than 2,000° C. to less than 2,900° C. and before an optical device assembling step.

Abstract: A lightweight and homogeneous optical element exhibiting favorably weak birefringence and hygroscopicity as well as superior productivity and producing minimal chromatic aberrations is formed by using an organic-inorganic composite material having both the properties of a glass material and those of a plastic material. The optical element has at least one entrance refracting surface and at least one exit refracting surface. The optical element is formed from an organic-inorganic composite material having an inorganic phase dispersed in the three-dimensional network (matrix) of an organic phase.

Abstract: A lightweight and homogeneous optical element exhibiting favorably weak birefringence and hygroscopicity as well as superior productivity and producing minimal chromatic aberrations is formed by using an organic-inorganic composite material having both the properties of a glass material and those of a plastic material. The optical element has at least one entrance refracting surface and at least one exit refracting surface. The optical element is formed from an organic-inorganic composite material having an inorganic phase dispersed in the three-dimensional network (matrix) of an organic phase.

Abstract: A porous body 4 and a first immersing solution 6 are put in a vessel 5 in proportions such that the whole of the porous body 4 is immersed in the immersing solution, and the immersing is conducted for an arbitrary period of time. The vessel 5 is formed so as to have a depth greater than the height of the porous body 4. A vessel-capacity changing device 7 is inserted in the vessel 5. The first immersing solution 6 overflows from the interstice between the vessel-capacity changing device 7 and the vessel 5. A second immersing solution 8 is poured through a charging port, and simultaneously the vessel-capacity changing device 7 is lifted to thereby remove the same from the immersing solution. Thus, the porous body 4 is immersed in the second immersing solution 8 without being exposed to the outside air to thereby complete solution replacement. The immersing of the porous body can be effected safely, securely and at a lowered cost without damaging the porous body.

Abstract: A gradient-index optical element comprises SiO2, BaO, and TiO2 as essential components, and has a refractive index profile in its diametrical direction. The molar ratio of barium to silicon at the center of the element in its diametrical direction is limited to Ba/Si≧0.4. This gradient-index optical element has a small refractive index difference with reduced chromatic aberrations and, hence, is suitable for use with optical equipment.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for making a gradient index optical element having a precisely parabolic configuration of refractive index profile. After a concentration profile is imparted across a gel prepared by a sol-gel technique, the concentration profile is fixed. In this case, the treatment with a concentration profile-fixing solution is carried out at a temperature higher than that at which the treatment with a concentration profile-imparting solution is carried out, whereby the rate of fixing the concentration profile is so higher than that of imparting the concentration profile, so that any possible deformation of the concentration profile formed at the concentration profile-imparting step is reduced or inhibited.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing a magnetic disk and a magnetic disk apparatus both of which have a high performance lubricating film which makes continuous sliding endurance and low adhesiveness compatible, and a lubricating film having a self repairing function which makes it possible to recombine scratched off lubricating agent from the magnetic disk surface by sliding with a head onto the magnetic disk surface. The lubricating film comprises at least two kinds of lubricating agents each of which forms an individual layer, the layers being laminated. An adhesion enhancing layer is formed between a magnetic film and a lubricating agent at the surface of the magnetic disk, and the adhesion enhancing layer is fixed onto the magnetic film surface. Then, the adhesion enhancing layer and the lubricating agent are combined.

Abstract: A cathode is formed on a glass substrate by depositing nickel thereon, and silicon dioxide is allowed to accumulate on the cathode by sputtering to form an insulator film. Then, a gate electrode is provided on the insulator film by depositing nickel thereon. A hole is formed on the glass substrate by lithography to carry out patterning, and the gate electrode and the insulator film are selectively etched to create a hole for the formation of an emitter emitting electrons. Furthermore, nickel is stacked into the hole by deposition to form the emitter, and subsequently the emitter is covered with sulfur as a high vapor-pressure substance to form a high vapor-pressure substance layer.

Abstract: At least one metal species g is selected from the metal group G consisting of Nb, Ta, Pb, Ti, Tl and Zr. At least one metal species f is selected from the metal group F1 consisting of La, In, Y, Zr and Ta. The metal species g and f are not simultaneously Ta or Zr. The metal species g and f have concentrations distributed in mutually reverse directions. The element exhibits a ratio of dCf/dCg, in which dCf and dCg represent concentration distribution gradients of metal species f and g, respectively, ranging from -4 to -0.2. Alternatively, at least one metal species f may be selected from the metal group F2 consisting of Ga, Sn, Ba, Sr and Ca, while causing the ratio of dCf/dCg to be in the range of from -7 to -0.5. Thus, a gradient index optical element is obtained, which exhibits less refractive index change and large Abbe number change and is hence superior to conventional elements in correction of chromatic aberration.