Abstract: In addition to microwave and excitation light, bias light as well is irradiated upon a surface of a semiconductor sample that is passivated using a solution which contains an electrolyte. Irradiation of the bias light increases the quantity of ionic substances that exist in the solution, largely changes a surface potential of the semiconductor sample, and suppresses surface recombination. This makes it possible to measure the lifetime of carriers which exist within the semiconductor sample at a high accuracy, without influenced by surface recombination.

Abstract: The propeller shaft arrangement which connects a transmission with a differential gear of a vehicle includes a first propeller shaft segment connected to the transmission at one end thereof and a second propeller shaft segment connected to the differential gear at one end thereof. The first and second propeller shaft segments are made of aluminum. The other end of the second propeller shaft segment is connected with one end of a steel center bearing via art universal joint. Serrations are formed at the other end of the center bearing and at the other end of the first propeller shaft segment such that the serrations of the center bearing are engaged with those of the first propeller shaft segment and a locking nut is screwed down over the engaging serrations to join the first propeller shaft segment with the center bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the life time of minority carriers includes a light source for irradiating a first region of a semiconductor wafer, a microwave generator for generating microwaves, a transmission line for transmitting a first part of the generated mark raised to the region of the semiconductor wafer that is radiated by the excitation light and a second portion of the generated microwave to a region of the semiconductor wafer that is not radiated by the excitation light. The intensity of the microwave signals reflected from the semiconductor wafer are detected and the life time of the minority carriers is calculated based upon the detected intensities.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide clathrate having a lump diameter enough to precipitate on a desired abyssal position of the sea without being drifted by a seawater flow of the abyss can be produced by bringing an aqueous solution into contact with carbon dioxide with the interposition of an interface in a reactor and retaining this contact; adjusting the pressure in the reactor to 13 atm or more, the temperature of the aqueous solution to a level of more than 5.degree. C. to 10.degree. C., the temperature of the interface to a level of more than 10.degree. C. to 15.degree. C. and the temperature of a lug inserted into the aqueous solution to a level of more than 0.degree. C. to 5.degree. C.; producing/growing the carbon dioxide clathrate on the lug; and then heating the lug to a temperature of more than 10.degree. C. to 30.degree. C. to separate/drop the carbon dioxide clathrate therefrom.

Abstract: A charged particle accelerator capable of accelerating arbitrarily charged particles to an arbitrary energy level and resonating at a low frequency suitable for accelerating heavy ions, including quadruple electrodes which are supplied with high frequency power and disposed in the direction of the center axis of a cylinder-shaped container and a resonant circuit having a capacitor and an inductor for supplying a voltage to the quadruple electrodes. The capacitor is composed of a plurality of metallic plates provided along the center axis at specified intervals in the vicinity of the quadruple electrodes, and a plurality of conductive supports supporting the metallic plates which are directly connected to the container together with the supports and the container form the inductor.

Abstract: A converged ion beam apparatus wherein a very small beam spot can be formed with a high energy ion beam after passing a reduced route in which a type of the ion beam is classified. The device is incorporated in an apparatus wherein an ion beam from an accelerator is introduced in a spot to a specimen by way of an ion type classifying device, an objective collimator and a beam collector to perform reforming of a surface or an analysis of physical properties and/or composition or the like of a small area of the specimen. The objective collimator is disposed just on the downstream of the accelerator, and an analyzing component for analyzing an ion type and energy of a beam is interposed in a drift space in an object distance between the objective collimator and a quadruple pole magnetic lens. Several components of the apparatus are also improved including the quadruple pole magnetic lens, an objective slit device and a specimen chamber.

Abstract: A plasma reactor for diamond synthesis includes a microwave generator, a waveguide connected to the microwave generator, an antenna disposed within the waveguide to direct the microwaves propagated along the waveguide toward the interior of a reaction chamber, a microwave window provided above the upper wall of the waveguide, a reaction chamber defined by (a) a cylindrical bottom member hermetically joined to the microwave window and the waveguide, (b) a reaction gas inlet port and a gas outlet port in the side wall thereof, and (c) a substrate holder disposed within the reaction chamber in facing opposition to the microwave window so as to be moved toward and away from the microwave window to adjust the distance between the microwave window and the substrate holder to generate a desired microwave resonance mode.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for measuring the distance to a target wherein FM wave is transmitted to the target and its reflected wave is received. A beat wave is then obtained using the thus-received wave and the FM wave. A sine wave is mixed with the beat wave and a first sideband wave of a plurality of sideband waves of the resultant mixed wave is obtained. Another sine wave is mixed with the sideband wave. Then, a second sideband wave of the thus-obtained mixed wave is separated and detected. In the above manner, phase modulation is applied directly to the above-described beat wave. Information pertaining to distance can then be obtained from the number of peaks of the thus-modulated beat wave. A microwave profile meter suitable for use in the determination of the surface profile of a burden in a blast furnace is also disclosed.