Abstract: An accessory mounting system suitable for mounting a plurality of accessories at a windshield portion within the interior cabin of a vehicle includes a housing adapted for releasable mounting to a receiving structure on the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle, and at least two accessories housed in said housing. One of the accessories comprises a forwardly-viewing camera, which views through the windshield of the vehicle when said housing is mounted to said receiving structure. The other of the accessories may be selected from the group consisting of: (a) a vehicle altitude sensor, (b) a vehicle incline sensor, (c) a headlamp sensor, (d) a geographic positioning satellite (GPS) transmitter, (e) a geographic positioning satellite (GPS) receiver, (f) an antenna, (g) a rain sensor, (h) a microphone, and (i) a compass sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light receiving device for reading an optical medium compliant with any of different standards. The receiving device includes light receiving elements and an amplifier circuit. Each light receiving element is for receiving light reflected from an optical medium compliant with a different one of the standards and output a signal responsive to the received light. The amplifier circuit is for amplifying a signal derived from output of the light receiving elements. The signal amplified by the amplifier circuit is derived by subtracting an output signal of one of the light receiving elements that receives light from the optical medium from an output signal of the other light receiving elements.

Abstract: An organic photoelectric conversion device comprising; a lower electrode; an organic layer; and an upper electrode provided in this order, in which at least one of the lower electrode and the upper electrode is a transparent electrode and an electron is collected in a side of one of the lower electrode and the upper electrode and a hole is collected in a side of other of the lower electrode and the upper electrode so as to read out photocurrent, wherein the electrode in the side of collecting an electron is the transparent electrode and has a word function of 4.5 eV or less.

Abstract: A multi-spectrum image capturing device includes a multi-spectrum illuminating device comprising LED's for emitting lights of different wavelengths from one another, a plurality of optical rods for relaying the lights emitted from the LED's, an optical diffusion element for diffusively reflecting the lights from the optical rods by a white diffusion surface and an aluminum-coated reflecting surface to be irradiated at an angle of about 60° with respect to an image-capturing optical axis, and an optical sheet for further diffusing the lights from the optical diffusion element, and also includes an image-capturing optical system and a CCD for forming an image based on lights reflected from an irradiated surface under illumination by the multi-spectrum illuminating device to capture the formed image. An image output captured by the CCD is analyzed to measure color components of the irradiated surface.

Abstract: A photodiode array and an encoder utilizing the same is disclosed. The encoder includes the photodiode array, a code wheel, a light source, and an optical system. The photodiode array includes a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a ring, each photodiode includes an annular sector of the ring, each photodiode generates a signal determined by the optical radiation incident on the photodiode, the photodiode array is characterized by an array center. The code wheel includes an annular array of alternating code stripes disposed about a code wheel axis, the code wheel moving relative to the photodiode array about the code wheel axis. The light source illuminates the code wheel and the optical system forms an image of the code wheel having alternating light and dark bands on the photodiode array.

Abstract: An encoder having a carrier that passes through an opening in a mounting body is disclosed. The carrier includes an encoding region having a plurality of clear and opaque regions, the carrier having first and second surfaces. The clear and opaque regions of the carrier pass through the opening in the mounting body when the carrier moves relative to the mounting body. A light emitter generates a light signal that passes through the carrier, the light emitter being located adjacent to the first side of the carrier and separated therefrom. A light reflector is attached to the mounting body at a position such that the light reflector directs the light signal through the second surface of the carrier where a photodetector measures light leaving the first surface of the carrier when one of the clear regions passes through the light signal.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes an optical encoder pattern of alternating light elements and dark elements, and an optical unit, including an optical emitter providing light to the encoder pattern, and an optical sensor including a photo-detector receiving the light from the optical encoder pattern and in response thereto outputting a sinusoidal signal indicating relative movement between the optical sensor and the encoder pattern. In one embodiment, the photo-detector has a diamond shape, a modified-diamond shape, or an hourglass shape. In another embodiment, at least one of the light elements and the dark elements of the optical encoder pattern has a diamond shape, a modified-diamond shape, or an hourglass shape.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus constituted of a case body for mounting an imaging device and a flexible substrate bonding to an external connection terminal provided on the case body, the flexible substrate is bent along each face of case body 41 so as to surround case body 41. By bending the flexible substrate, a load applied to the flexible substrate is received at the bent portion of the flexible substrate, there is formed a structure hard to transmit the load to the bonding portion to the external connection terminal. Further, by fixing the case body to a portion of the flexible substrate with an adhesive agent, etc., there is formed a structure not to transmit a stress to the direction of peeling the flexible substrate from the external connection terminal. Also, the case body is covered with the flexible substrate equipped with an electromagnetic wave shield material.

Abstract: The disclosure, in one aspect, provides a method for providing an image of a fluid that includes passing light through the fluid, detecting light passing through the fluid at least one wavelength and producing signals corresponding to the detected light, and processing the signals to provide the image of the fluid.

Abstract: One or more methods for determination and/or deconvolution of complex mass spectra, using quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system has an elongated rod set having an entrance end, an exit end, a plurality of rods and a central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of scanning a substrate, and a method and an apparatus for analyzing crystal characteristics are disclosed. A sequential scan on the scan areas using a first electron beam and a second electron beam are repeatedly performed. The electrons accumulated in the scan areas by the first electron beam are removed from the scan areas by the second electron beam. When a size of the scan area is substantially the same as a spot size of the first electron beam, adjacent scan areas partially overlap each other. When each of the scan areas is larger than a spot size of the first electron beam, the adjacent scan areas do not overlap each other. Images of the scan areas are generated using back-scattered electrons emitted from each of the scan areas by irradiating the first electron beam to analyze crystal characteristics of circuit patterns on the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting aberrations using a Ronchigram. A STEM apparatus has first calculation means for taking autocorrelation of minute regions on a Ronchigram of an amorphous specimen, detection device for detecting aberrations in the beam formed from local angular regions on an aperture plane from the autocorrelation or from Fourier analysis of the autocorrelation, second calculation device for calculating the aberrations based on the results of the detection, and control device for controlling operation for correcting the aberrations based on results of calculations performed by the second calculation device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor pattern shape evaluating apparatus using a critical dimension SEM, which eliminates the necessity of data conversion corresponding to each process of semiconductor manufacturing conventionally required; controls possessed data integratedly; can select data effective for use in each process from the possessed data easily; if the shape of formed pattern changes with time, can create a photographing recipe which enables stable measurement by correcting the photographing recipe based on time-series data. Specifically, the semiconductor pattern shape evaluating apparatus correlates coordinate systems among diversified data to control the diversified data stored in a database integratedly, selects part or all of the diversified data arbitrarily and creates a photographing recipe for observing a semiconductor pattern with a critical dimension SEM using selected data.

Abstract: The apparatus for sensing plural gases is substantially a gas sensor adopting planar lightwave circuit for constructing reference optical path and sensing optical path, which is a flat structure with abilities of high accuracy, long-term stability, and short response time. The gas sensor can be widely applied for monitoring the safety of a working environment, securing the safety of workers, alerting potential hazard in a factory, inspecting harmful materials in a specific area, testing leakage of a pipeline, inspecting waste gas exhausted from automobile/motorcycle, and monitoring the living quality of household environment.

Abstract: An uncooled infrared sensor can be used for a plurality of applications such as fire fighting, surveilling a border or any desired area, and limb sounding. The uncooled infrared sensor includes manually or automatically adjustable optics that receive an electromagnetic signal, focus the electromagnetic signal and provide a focused electromagnetic signal to a focal plane array. The focal plane array includes a plurality of detector devices disposed in rows and columns to form the focal plane array. Each detector device is constructed so as to have a reduced pitch and provide a maximum number of detectors within a minimum square area of the focal plane array. Each detector device detects the focused electromagnetic signal incident upon it, converts the focused electromagnetic signal into a sensed signal and outputs the sensed signal so that the focal plane array provides a plurality of sensed signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use as a sensitive material in a thin layer for bolometric detection of infrared radiation, of a material having a spinel ferrite structure of chemical composition, ignoring doping agents if any are present, satisfying empirical formula I: Fe3?(x+y)MxAyO4+???(I) The invention also provides a bolometric device for detecting infrared radiation or for infrared imaging, and including at least one sensor provided with a sensitive element in the form of a thin layer as defined above.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensor element formed in a first substrate and having a thermal barrier disposed between the sensor element and a heat source provided elsewhere on the first substrate. The thermal barrier includes at least one pair of trenches formed within the first substrate, individual trenches of the pair being separated by a cavity.

Abstract: An object is to provide a scintillator plate exhibiting even sharpness, and further exhibiting enhanced sharpness by use of CsI crystals. Disclosed is a scintillator plate for radiation comprising a support and provided thereon a phosphor layer emitting light caused upon exposure to radiation, wherein the phosphor layer comprises a plurality of phosphor columnar crystals, and any two phosphor columnar crystal diameters represented by a and b (a?b) satisfy the following inequality of 1.0?a/b<1.5. Further disclosed is a scintillator plate for radiation comprising a support and provided thereon a phosphor layer emitting light caused upon exposure to radiation, wherein the phosphor layer comprises a phosphor made from cesium iodide (CsI) as a base material and an activator, and a most dominant growth direction in the phosphor is (n 0 0) plane (where n=1, 2 or 3).

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, count rates may be obtained from one or more subpixels for a given pixel in an imaging system detector. Count rates may be obtained from individual subpixels, or may be from electronically binned subpixels at least in part in various subpixel arrangements where a selected subpixel arrangement may be adaptively set according to a detected count rate. For lower count rates, two or more subpixels may be electronically binned together and the counts may be obtained from the binned subpixels, for example to mitigate a charge sharing effect. For higher count rates, the count rates of a greater number of subpixels may be individually obtained, for example to mitigate a pulse pile-up effect. Detective quantum efficiency may be optimized over a wider range of photon flux rate via the adaptive subpixel arrangement.

Abstract: An FPD controller controls a flat panel X-ray detector (FPD) to perform a reading operation for reading carriers (charge information) and a reset operation for resetting and discarding the carriers, during a frame cycle from a reading point of time for reading charge information collectively from a predetermined read area (i.e. an in-field of 2,048×2,048 pixels) to a reading point of time for reading charge information collectively from a next predetermined read area. This control can reduce the influence of the preceding predetermined read area.

Abstract: An instrument for checking quality of therapeutic x-ray and electron radiation provides modes optimized for both electrons and for photons obtained by physically flipping the unit to interpose the necessary build-up material between the radiation beam and contained detectors. The invention provides an improved method of constructing ionization detectors for improved energy discrimination using such detectors and wire-free operation.

Abstract: A charged particle beam apparatus is provided which can prevent the accuracy of positional shift detection from being degraded owing to differences in picture quality, so that even when the state of a charged particle beam is changed at the time that optical conditions are changed or the optical axis changes with time, an auto adjustment of the optical axis can be realized easily and highly accurately. In the charged particle beam apparatus, evaluation or adjustment of focusing is conducted before the deflection condition of an alignment deflector for optical axis adjustment is changed or a table of focus adjustment amounts in correspondence with deflection conditions of the alignment deflector is provided, whereby when the deflection condition of the alignment deflector is changed, a focus adjustment is carried out in accordance with the table.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in-spray glow discharge ionization method and apparatus which can be used together or alternately with the most widely used ionization method of mass spectrometry, such as an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) method or an electrospray ionization (ESI) method while enhancing ionization efficiency using a gas exhibiting Penning effect. The in-spray glow discharge ionization apparatus has a supply port (A) supplying a fluid containing a compound to be measured, a gas blowing port (B) which surrounds the supply port (A) and which blows a gas exhibiting Penning effect to nebulize the fluid supplied from the supply port (A), a ground-side discharge electrode (E) provided at a generation port (C) at which the nebulized flow is generated, and a voltage application-side discharge electrode (F) which is disposed in the traveling direction of the nebulized flow and opposed to the ground-side discharge electrode.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the present invention pertain to a measurement component that facilitates determining a relative orientation between an ion beam and a workpiece. The measurement component is sensitive to ion radiation and allows a relative orientation between the measurement component and the ion beam to be accurately determined by moving the measurement component relative to the ion beam. The measurement component is oriented at a known relationship relative to the workpiece so that a relative orientation between the workpiece and beam can be established. Knowing the relative orientation between the ion beam and workpiece allows the workpiece to be oriented to a specific angle relative to the measured beam angle for more accurate and precise doping of the workpiece, which enhances semiconductor fabrication.

Abstract: A sample measuring method and a charged particle beam apparatus are provided which remove contaminants, that have adhered to a sample in a sample chamber of an electron microscope, to eliminate adverse effects on the subsequent manufacturing processes. To achieve this objective, after the sample measurement or inspection is made by using a charged particle beam, contaminants on the sample are removed before the next semiconductor manufacturing process. This allows the contaminants adhering to the sample in the sample chamber to be removed and therefore failures or defects that may occur in a semiconductor fabrication process following the measurement and inspection can be minimized.

Abstract: A condition-setting apparatus improves the flexibility of examination. The condition-setting apparatus includes a display unit configured to display a prescan image and a region-specifying section configured to specify at least one region to be irradiated with a laser beam on a prescan screen displaying the prescan image. When a region is specified by the region-specifying section, the display unit displays the specified region and the order of the laser beam irradiation on the prescan image.

Abstract: The invention provides a multiphoton-excitation-type examination apparatus that efficiently generates a multiphoton-excitation effect, that makes the measurement head compact, and that can be easily adjusted when the measurement head is replaced. The multiphoton-excitation-type examination apparatus comprises a laser light source that oscillates ultrashort pulsed laser light; an optical fiber that transmits the ultrashort pulsed laser light from the laser light source; a support member; a measurement head supported on the support member so as to be movable upwards and downwards and at an angle, and having an optical system that irradiates a specimen with the ultrashort pulsed laser light transmitted by the optical fiber that measures fluorescence or reflected light coming from the specimen; and a dispersion-compensating member, in the measurement head, that compensates for group velocity dispersion of the ultrashort pulsed laser light irradiated onto the specimen.

Abstract: An electron-beam device having a beam generator for generating an electron beam, an objective lens for focusing the electron beam on an object, and at least one detector for detecting electrons scattered on the object or emitted by the object. Furthermore, a detector system for detecting electrons is described. With an electron-beam device having a detector system according to the present invention, it is possible to make a selection in a simple manner, in particular according to backscattered and secondary electrons. At the same time, as many electrons as possible may be detected using the detector system. For this purpose, the electron-beam device exhibits at least one adjustable diaphragm which is allocated to the detector. The detector system exhibits a detector on which a reflector for reflecting electrons onto the detector is accommodated.

Abstract: There is provided a projection objective for a projection exposure apparatus that has a primary light source for emitting electromagnetic radiation having a chief ray with a wavelength ?193 nm. The projection objective includes an object plane, a first mirror, a second mirror, a third mirror, a fourth mirror; and an image plane. The object plane, the first mirror, the second mirror, the third mirror, the fourth mirror and the image plane are arranged in a centered arrangement around a common optical axis. The first mirror, the second mirror, the third mirror, and the fourth mirror are situated between the object plane and the image plane. The chief ray, when incident on an object situated in the object plane, in a direction from the primary light source, is inclined away from the common optical axis.

Abstract: An ion implantation method and device for forming an ion implantation area in a predetermined area of a substrate is provided. The method comprises the following steps. First, an ion beam is provided, then a first shape of cross-section and a first ion density distribution of the ion beam are detected. Then, a second shape of cross-section and a second ion density distribution of the ion beam are detected by moving the ion beam along a predetermined scanning path. Thereafter, the predetermined scanning path is adjusted and optimized according to the first shape of cross-section, the first ion density distribution, the second shape of cross-section and the second ion density distribution. Then, the ion beam is optimized along the optimized predetermined scanning path to form the ion implantation area in the predetermined area of the substrate.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the present invention pertain to determining a relative orientation between an ion beam and lattice structure of a workpiece into which ions are to be selectively implanted by the ion beam, and calibrating an ion implantation system in view of the relative orientation. The beam to lattice structure orientation is determined, at least in part, by directing a divergent ion beam at the workpiece and finding the angle of the aspect of the divergent beam that implants ions substantially parallel to crystal planes of the workpiece, and thus causes a small amount of damage to the lattice structure.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the present invention pertain to stabilizing the current or density of an ion beam within an ion implantation system by selectively adjusting a lone parameter of feed gas flow. Adjusting the gas flow does not necessitate adjustments to other operating parameters and thereby simplifies the stabilization process. This allows the beam current to be stabilized relatively quickly so that ion implantation can begin promptly and continue uninterrupted. This improves throughput while reducing associated implantation costs.

Abstract: Ionizers are integrated with the computer and software that is used to operate process equipment. Communication is bidirectional. Operating information from the ionizer is displayed on the equipment computer terminal. Commands from the equipment computer control the ionizer. This enables the ionizer to react to ionizing requirements that change with time.

Abstract: Ultra Violet (UV) light produced by a light source is converted to visible light and utilized in a visible light output of the light source. The light source is, for example, a light source in an illuminator of a projection device. UV light that is typically filtered out of the illuminator is converted by a UV absorbing visible light radiating phosphor. The UV light is directed to the phosphor by, for example, reflecting the UV light out of a light path, concentrating the UV light via a concave reflector, and directing the UV light to the phosphor. The re-radiated visible light is then injected back into the light path of the light source. In one embodiment, the re-radiated visible light is injected into a “shadow” of the light path.

Abstract: A method of measuring pattern dimensions includes evaluating a relationship between cross-sectional shapes of a pattern and measurement errors of a pattern in a specified image processing technique, and conducting an actual measurement in which dimension measurement of an evaluation objective pattern from image signals of a microscope is carried out, and revising errors of the dimension measurement of the evaluation objective pattern based on the relationship between the cross-sectional shapes of a pattern and the measurement errors of a pattern previously evaluated.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a measuring device for testing the cut quality of a sheet as well as a measuring method for testing the cut quality of a sheet, with which the cut quality can be tested reliably by the fact that the measuring device is provided with a transparent scanning substrate 3 comprising a stop 1 for a sheet for holding the sheet 4, a scanning device 15 with a scanning window 14 and a cover 21 for covering the sheet 4 held by the scanning substrate 3, wherein the scanning window 14 overlaps the sheet 4, forming edge surfaces 10, 11, 12, 13, and the cover 21 has different reflection properties from the sheet 4 for producing a high-contrast scanned image of the sheet 4 and of the edge surfaces 10, 11, 12, 13 between the sheet 4 and the scanning window 14, or by the fact that with the measuring method the sheet 4 is positioned on a transparent scanning substrate 3 with a stop 1, covered with a cover 21 and scanned with a scanning device 15, wherein the scanning device 15 scans in the region

Abstract: A controller comprises power transmitting means (11) for amplifying the force applied on the operating shaft (6) and transmitting to the valve rod (4); and a slow start means (12) for slowly moving the operating shaft (6) upward are arranged. The slow start means (12) includes a piston (8) that moves up and down with respect to the operating shaft (6); a pressure spring (44), arranged between a pressure spring receiver (43) arranged at the operating shaft.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a holder, which holds a locating rod that defines an air discharging hole for quick discharge of an air, a coil assembly, an actuating rod axially slidably mounted in the coil assembly, a spring stopped between the actuating rod and the locating rod, a flexible seal for sealing the air discharging hole and the coil assembly is energized to move the actuating rod toward the locating rod, and a slow-speed air discharging hole, which may be formed in the locating rod, the actuating rod, or the flexible seal for discharging of an air after blocking of the air discharging hole by the seal.

Abstract: Digital regulators using a plurality of latching solenoid actuators, each having a spring return, the springs being configured to provide a force on the valve member of a regulator, when the solenoid actuators are unlatched, in a binary progression. The solenoid actuators are selectively latched by an latching current pulse and retained in the latched condition by residual magnetism in a zero air gap magnetic circuit. Various embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments having the solenoid actuators side by side and in a stacked relationship, solenoid actuators having springs providing a spring force in a binary progression, solenoid actuators having equal springs and distributed in a binary progression from a hinge axis, and solenoid actuators not distributed in a binary progression from a hinge axis and not distributed in a binary progression from the hinge axis. Embodiments are also disclosed having the capability of interpolating between binary settings of the digital regulator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a valve assembly comprising a male luer end portion and a female luer end portion and a passage for the transfer of fluids extending between the male and female luer end portions, valve means movable between a first position, in which the passage is closed, and a second position, in which the passage is open, biasing means for biasing the valve means toward the first position, and actuating means extending into the male luer end portion and coupled to the valve means to actuate the valve means when a female luer end portion of a medical accessory is engaged with the male luer end portion.

Abstract: A redundant sealing system with secondary containment for preventing leakage of fluid along a valve shaft is provided. The system comprises a first set of dynamic seals, a second set of dynamic seals, an auxiliary barrier fluid chamber, and a barrier fluid indicator. The first and second set of dynamic seals are in spaced relation to each other a distance equal to or further than a maximum stroke length of an actuatable valve stem. The auxiliary barrier fluid chamber is interposed between the first and second sets of dynamic seals. The barrier fluid indicator has a piston in a primary barrier fluid chamber. A first face of the piston is exposed to a process fluid. A second face of the piston is exposed to a barrier fluid and inhibited from fluid communication with the auxiliary barrier fluid chamber by a dynamic seal in the first set of dynamic seals.

Abstract: A redundant sealing system with secondary containment for preventing leakage of fluid along a valve shaft is provided. The system comprises a first set of dynamic seals, a second set of dynamic seals, an auxiliary barrier fluid chamber, and a barrier fluid indicator. The first and second set of dynamic seals are in spaced relation to each other a distance equal to or further than a maximum stroke length of an actuatable valve stem. The auxiliary barrier fluid chamber is interposed between the first and second sets of dynamic seals. The barrier fluid indicator has a piston in a primary barrier fluid chamber. A first face of the piston is exposed to the auxiliary barrier fluid chamber. A second face of the piston is exposed to a barrier fluid and inhibited from fluid communication with the auxiliary barrier fluid chamber by a dynamic seal in the first set of dynamic seals.

Abstract: A valve (100) includes a body (1) having a valve seat (10) formed therein, a bonnet (2), a diaphragm (3) supporting a valve element (18) abutting against and moving away from the valve seat (10), and an elastic member such as an O-ring (5). The body (1) is formed with an annular groove (13) extending around the valve seat (10), and the diaphragm (3) is provided at the peripheral edge (20) with an annular engagement part (21) formed to have an approximate L-shape in cross-section. The annular engagement part (21) is inserted into the annular groove (13) in a tight state by the elastic member disposed between the bonnet (2) and the annular engagement part (21) of the diaphragm (3).

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluids that are at high pressure has a valve seat region at which a high-pressure region and a low-pressure region can be made to communicate with one another or can be disconnected from one another. A seat face for a conical valve member is embodied on a valve body, and the seat face extends in inclined fashion in the valve body. The conical valve member has a multiconical geometry in the valve seat region, with at least one first conical face and one second conical face, which have different cone angles from one another.

Abstract: A heat transfer fluid emulsion includes a heat transfer fluid, and liquid droplets dispersed within the heat transfer fluid, where the liquid droplets are substantially immiscible with respect to the heat transfer fluid and have dimensions that are no greater than about 100 nanometers. In addition, the thermal conductivity of the heat transfer fluid emulsion is greater than the thermal conductivity of the heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising: an aqueous solution for etching a polymeric material comprising from about 30 wt. % to about 55 wt. % of an alkali metal salt; from about 10 wt. % to about 35 wt. % of a solubilizer dissolved in said solution; and from about 3 wt. % to about 30 wt. % ethylene glycol dissolved in said solution. Also provided is a process comprising: providing a polymeric film; contacting said polymeric film with an aqueous solution comprising from about 30 wt. % to about 55 wt. % of an alkali metal salt; from about 10 wt. % to about 35 wt. % of a solubilizer dissolved in said solution; and from about 3 wt. % to about 30 wt. % ethylene glycol dissolved in said solution.

Abstract: A system, composition, and a method for planarizing or polishing a composite substrate are provided. The planarizing or polishing system comprises (i) a polishing composition comprising (a) about 0.5 wt. % or more of fluoride ions, (b) about 1 wt. % or more of an amine, (c) about 0.1 wt. % or more of a base, and (d) water, and (ii) an abrasive. The present invention also provides a method of planarizing or polishing a composite substrate comprising contacting the substrate with a system comprising (i) a polishing composition comprising (a) about 0.5 wt. % or more of fluoride ions, (b) about 1 wt. % or more of an amine, (c) about 0.1 wt. % or more of a base, and (d) water, and (ii) an abrasive.

Abstract: A conductive additive for the positive nickel electrode for electrochemical cells which provides increased performance by suppressing an oxygen evolution reaction occurring parallel to the oxidation of nickel hydroxide, increasing conductivity of the electrode and/or consuming oxygen produced as a result of the oxygen evolution reaction.

Abstract: A vertically aligned liquid crystal display device such as of the MVA mode and a method of manufacturing the same featuring favorable viewing angle characteristics. The liquid crystal display device includes an electrode formed on at least one substrate of a pair of substrates to apply a voltage to the liquid crystal molecules, a first alignment control layer for vertically aligning the liquid crystal molecules and a liquid crystal layer that are held between the pair of substrates, and a second alignment control layer of an ultraviolet ray-cured product formed after the liquid crystal layer is held between the pair of substrates, wherein the second alignment control layer is so formed that there exist two or more regions of different threshold voltages in each display pixel, at least one region has a threshold voltage higher than a threshold voltage produced by the first alignment control layer, and a pre-tilted angle ?p of not smaller than 86° but smaller than 90° is possessed by all regions.