Abstract: An optical device using an electro-optical element is of great utility value to industry, owing to its fast responsiveness and the like. Prior art has problems such as high cost due to a large number of parts, large device size, and high drive voltage, and it has been a challenge to reduce the number of parts to be used, to downsize the device, and to reduce drive voltage. An optical device of the invention has a reflection structure comprising an input fiber 1 and an output fiber 2 which are fastened by a duplex ferrule 3, a collimating lens 6, and a reflector element 9 for reflecting light. The optical device further comprises a cylindrical lens functioning as a condenser lens 7, and an electro-optical element 8, which is placed near a collection point of the condenser lens 7. Electrodes of the electro-optical element 8 are configured such that the interelectrode distance becomes smaller the closer they are to the collection part.

Abstract: A light modulator is arranged as an array of rows and columns of interferometric display elements. Each element is divided into sub-rows of sub-elements. Array connection lines transmit operating signals to the display elements, with one connection line corresponding to one row of display elements in the array. Sub-array connection lines electrically connect to each array connection line. Switches transmit the operating signals from each array connection line to the sub-rows to effect gray scale modulation.

Abstract: In a tracing method in which tracing is performed by moving a plurality of tracing heads, each including a spatial optical modulation device and an optics system, in a predetermined direction relative to a tracing surface, changes in the relative positional relationship of the tracing heads arising from changes in the environmental temperature are minimized. A plurality of spatial optical modulation devices 34a, 34b are provided in a single tracing head 30, and the light modulated by the plurality of spatial optical modulation devices 34a, 34b is focused on a tracing surface 12a using common optics systems 36, 37 and 38 to reduce the number of the heads 30.

Abstract: A method for cost-effective optical transmission with fast Raman tilt or other transient event control uses a combination of Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) and Raman fiber amplifiers (RFAs), where EDFAs are used as the primary optical amplifiers to compensate the span loss while the RFA (advantageously a forward-pumped RFA) is used only in some specific spans with a feed-forward control circuit serving as a fast Raman tilt transient compensator, the RFA also serving as an optical amplifier. A long haul optical transmission system using feed-forward controlled RFA's periodically spaced along its length, for example, when add-drop multiplexing is used, makes full use of the economics of EDFAs and the fast tilt transient control capability of a RFA enabled by an adjustable speed feed-forward or feed-back control technique.

Abstract: A laser light source is disclosed having a laser oscillator producing an output beam; a first amplifier amplifying the output beam to produce a first amplified beam, and a second amplifier amplifying the first amplified beam to produce a second amplified beam. For the source, the first amplifier may have a gain medium characterized by a saturation energy (Es, 1) and a small signal gain (go, 1); and the second amplifier may have a gain medium characterized by a saturation energy (Es, 2) and a small signal gain (go, 2), with (go, 1)>(go, 2) and (Es, 2)>(Es, 1). In another aspect, a laser oscillator of a laser light source may be a cavity dumped laser oscillator, e.g. a mode-locked laser oscillator, q-switched laser oscillator and may further comprising a temporal pulse stretcher.

Abstract: A method for cost-effective optical transmission with fast Raman tilt or other transient event control uses a combination of Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) and Raman fiber amplifiers (RFAs), where EDFAs are used as the primary optical amplifiers to compensate the span loss while the RFA (advantageously a forward-pumped RFA) is used only in some specific spans with a feed-forward control circuit serving as a fast Raman tilt transient compensator, the RFA also serving as an optical amplifier. A long haul optical transmission system using feed-forward controlled RFA's periodically spaced along its length, for example, when add-drop multiplexing is used, makes full use of the economics of EDFAs and the fast tilt transient control capability of a RFA enabled by an adjustable speed feed-forward or feed-back control technique.

Abstract: This invention relates to a monitoring device used as a microscope, physiochemical device, medical appliance, or the like, and prevents comparatively easily a defocus of a monitored object caused by a thermal strain of a stage unit on which the monitored object is placed. According to this invention, the stage unit includes a first stage member on which the monitoring object is placed and which is provided with a placement member that forms a monitoring surface of the monitoring object, and a second stage which includes a placement portion on which the first stage member is placed and supports the first stage member. The monitoring surface and the contact surface of the first stage member on the placement portion with the second stage member are set almost on the same horizontal plane.

Abstract: [Task] To provide a super-resolution microscope whereby the light source of pump light and erase light can be selected easily and a super-resolution can be reliably achieved through a simple and inexpensive arrangement. [Solution of the Task] A super-resolution microscope includes an optical system (3, 4, 9) for combining a part of a first coherent light from a first light source (2) and a part of a second coherent light from a second light source (1) and focusing the coherent lights onto a sample (10), scanning means (6, 7) for scanning the coherent lights, and detecting means (16) for detecting an optical response signal from the sample (10). The microscope is configured so as to satisfy the following conditions: ?01Ip??1, and 0.

Abstract: An observation apparatus comprises a thermoregulation mechanism including a liquid receiving frame (28) that has a heater (43) for heating the outer frame of an immersion objective lens (13) and adapted to heat and maintain the temperature of the immersion liquid (30) contained in the frame (28) by means of the heater (43) and via the outer frame of the immersion objective lens (13) so as to maintain the temperature of the specimen (34) in the container at a constant level by utilizing heat conduction. The thermoregulation mechanism of the observation apparatus is so adapted that, when the temperature of the immersion liquid (30) decreases during a measurement/observation operation due to discharge of heat, the liquid (30) is heated again by the heater (43) to prevent the temperature of the specimen (34) from changing and maintain the temperature at a constant level.

Abstract: At least one of right and left image display apparatuses is provided with an optical axis adjustment mechanism. The optical axis adjustment mechanism changes relative positional relationship between an image displayed on a display device and an ocular optical system in a direction intersecting an optical axis to thereby adjust an angle formed by a pair of right and left optical axes. In this condition, a light source is so arranged as to be substantially conjugate with an optical pupil. The optical axis adjustment mechanism changes the positional relationship described above without changing a position of the optical pupil relative to the ocular optical system. This permits, even when the apparatus is originally designed such that light intensity is high at a designed optical pupil position, achieving the light intensity at this optical pupil position even after optical axis adjustment.

Abstract: A polarization separating film and a backlight unit including the same are provided. The polarization separating film includes a first layer including an entry surface through which light is incident, and formed of optically isotropic materials, a second layer formed on the first layer and formed of optically anisotropic materials, and a fine pattern formed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein first polarized light of the light is transmitted and second polarized light of the light perpendicular to the first polarized light is reflected.

Abstract: [Problem] To obtain a means for forming a laminated half-wave plate for a triple-wavelength compatible optical pickup device. [Solving Means] A first and a second wave plates using quartz crystal having birefringence are laminated together in such a manner that their optical axes intersect to form a laminated wave plate functioning as a half-wave plate as a whole. Phase differences of the first and the second wave plates relative to an ordinary ray and an extraordinary ray with respect to a predetermined wavelength ? are set to be ?1 and ?2, an order of a high-mode order is set to be a natural number n, whereby the high-order mode laminated half-wave plate is formed so as to satisfy: ?1=180°+360°×n; and ?2=180°+360°×n.

Abstract: A double stage isolator is formed of a face-to-face slabs or sheets of materials that will suitably split, combine, non-reciprocally rotate to ensure isolation in a reverse direction from output ports to respective input ports of any light launched into the input ports. A right angled Porro-prism is disposed at an end of the affixed together slabs having planar faces to direct light launched in a folded fashion to the output ports. A half waveplate is used in addition to beam splitter combiners and non-reciprocal rotators means that rotate the light by 90 degrees so as to pass a single beam in a forward propagating direction and to interchange the polarization of two sub-beams that pass through from an output port to an input port in a reverse direction.

Abstract: An optical element is disclosed which includes a multilayer film having a light-transmission function for light in the entire wavelength range impinging thereon at a predetermined incident angle and a polarization splitting function for S-polarized light and P-polarized light impinging thereon at another incident angle. The optical element includes two entrance surfaces, one emergence surface, three transmissive surfaces each of which faces a reflective image-forming element, and first and second optical structures respectively formed along first and second planes intersecting each other. The all normals to the above surfaces and the first and second planes are parallel to a same plane. The optical element satisfies 45°<?0<75°, where ?0 is a smaller one of angles made by the first and second planes.

Abstract: A device for examining chemical and/or biological samples comprises a sample carrier for receiving the samples. The sample carrier comprises a sample carrier wall through which a sample is examined with the aid of an objective. The objective comprises an exit lens which defines a gap towards an outer surface of the sample carrier wall, in which gap a film of an immersion material can arranged such that the film is in contact with both the outer surface and the exit lens. The exit lens is surrounded by a protection means which is in particular configured as an objective cap. To improve protection of the objective from becoming fouled by the immersion medium, the protection means comprises a capillary channel connected with a suction means for discharging the immersion medium.

Abstract: An optical receiver is provided, which includes a housing, an objective lens situated in the housing, a solid immersion lens (SIL) mounted onto the housing, and thermal management element affixed to the housing to control the temperature of the SIL. The thermal management element may be a coolant conduit, a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) device, etc. A coolant spray may also be provided to spray the imaged specimen.

Abstract: A security device includes an optically variable device (OVD) having diffraction-based micro-optics including at least one moiré magnified visual representation of a micro-object. A diffractive structure provides micro-objects with unique optical effects when the OVD is viewed through the micro-object structure from a predetermined relative observation point. In addition to magnifying the micro-objects, the diffractive structure can impart optical effects such as change in observed color, enhanced contrast, animation of the observed visual representation, and change in size or shape of the observed visual representation. The micro-objects and the diffractive structure can be disposed on the same or different portions of a substrate. A method of making OVDs, and an article employing such OVDs are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical film including: a transparent support; at least one hardcoat layer containing a light-transparent resin; and at least one light-transparent organic resin particle, wherein the light-transparent organic resin particle has a refractive index being higher than a refractive index of the hardcoat layer, and a difference between the refractive index of the light-transparent organic resin particle and the refractive index of the hardcoat layer is 0.10 or more.

Abstract: An optical module is configured with a combination of a single-mode oscillating light source and an optical filter. In this optical module, the single-mode oscillating light source outputs a single-mode, frequency-modulated signal. Further, the optical filter converts the frequency modulation to an amplitude modulation. And, the single-mode oscillating light source and the optical filter are packaged without active alignment on the same substrate. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an optical module in a simple and low-cost configuration by packaging the single-mode oscillating light source and the optical filter by passive alignment, without active alignment, on the same substrate, and by using a simple optical filter such as a waveguide ring resonator, which converts a frequency modulation to an amplitude modulation.

Abstract: The object is to provide an optical system with a wavelength selecting device. According to one aspect of the present invention, an optical system with a wavelength selecting device includes, in order from an object along an optical axis, an objective optical system composed of optical elements having refractive power and an aperture stop, a no-power optical group composed of optical elements having no refractive power, and an imaging device. The no-power optical group includes the wavelength selecting device for making short wavelength light be selectively substantially non-transparent. The wavelength selecting device preferably satisfies the predetermined conditional expressions.

Abstract: An anisotropic diffusing medium in which an amount of transmitted light varies greatly depending on incident angle is provided. An anisotropic diffusing medium of the present invention includes a resin layer of cured material including at least a fluorine-containing photocurable compound and a fluorine-free photocurable compound, and an amount of linear transmitted light when light is transmitted to the resin layer differs depending on incident angle of incident light on the resin layer.

Abstract: A hard-coated antiglare film is provided that is excellent in antiglare properties and image sharpness and that can prevent glare from occurring. The hard-coated antiglare film includes a transparent plastic film substrate and a hard-coating antiglare layer that is formed on at least one surface of the transparent plastic film substrate and that is formed of fine particles and a curable hard-coating resin. The hard-coating antiglare layer has a thickness in the range of 20 to 30 ?m. The fine particles have a weight average particle size in the range of 7 to 15 ?m. The difference obtained by subtracting the refractive index of the fine particles from that of the curable hard-coating resin that has been cured is in the range of ?0.06 to ?0.01 or 0.01 to 0.06.

Abstract: A light source apparatus is provided. The light source apparatus includes: a light-emitting portion; a light-guiding plate having the light-emitting portion disposed at a side surface thereof, light beams being emitted from a top surface of the light-guiding plate; and a light path converting sheet above the light-guiding plate, formed of a prism sheet including cylindrical prisms, a cross-section of which is an isosceles triangle. Each of the prisms includes a light incidence plane that forms a first equilateral constituting an apex angle of the isosceles triangle, a reflection plane that forms a base of the isosceles triangle and a light exit plane that forms a second equilateral constituting the apex angle of the isosceles triangle The prism is disposed such that the light incidence plane is approximately perpendicular to a direction of light beams with highest luminous intensity among the light beams emitted from the top surface of the light-guiding plate.

Abstract: A light-diffusing member made of an optically transparent material has a light-emitting surface that emits light while diffusing it. The light-emitting surface has a plurality of parallel elongated lens surfaces arranged side-by-side in a row thereon. The elongated lens surfaces each have a convexly arcuate cross-section. The height of the convexly arcuate cross-section of the elongated lens surfaces varies continuously and repeatedly in the longitudinal direction of the elongated lens surfaces.

Abstract: In a formation method for forming a fine structure in a workpiece (30) containing an etching control component, using an isotropic etching process, a mask (32, 34) having an opening (36) is applied to the workpiece, and the workpiece is etched with an etching solution (38) to thereby form a recess (40), corresponding to a shape of the opening, in a surface of the workpiece. The etching of the workpiece is stopped due to the etching control component eluted out of the workpiece in the etching solution within the recess during the isotropic etching process.

Abstract: A multiple-layer optical film comprises: a supporting layer; a printable intermediate thin layer formed on the supporting layer; and an upper structured-surface or upper prismatic layer formed on the printable intermediate layer. The intermediate thin layer is imprinted with a plurality of notches recessed in the intermediate thin layer to be respectively engaged with a plurality of lower protrusions protruding downwardly from the upper layer for firmly interlocking the upper layer with the intermediate layer which is formed on the supporting layer.

Abstract: A system and method are used to form an unpolarized light beam from a polarized light beam. A system comprises a source of radiation and a unpolarizing system. The source of radiation produces a linear polarized beam. The unpolarizing system has first and second optical paths and splits the linear polarized beam. A first portion of the split beam travels along the first optical path having a first path length. A second portion of the split beam travels along the second optical path having a second, different path length. The first and second portions of the split beam are combined to form the unpolarized beam.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods and devices for coupling light energy from laser emitters having a high spectral brightness and purity that may be used for a variety of purposes including the pumping of various laser gain materials.

Abstract: A dual field of view lens system comprising a first lens group aligned along an optical axis and a third lens group aligned along the optical axis and positioned a predetermined distanced from the first lens group. A second lens group, having an optical stop attached thereto, is aligned along the optical axis and disposed between the first and third lens groups such that the second lens group and the optical stop are moveable along the optical axis between a first position and a second position. Positioning the second lens group and the optical stop in the first position provides a wide field of view and moving the second lens group and the optical stop to a second position provides a narrow field of view.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes: a front group including a plurality of movable lens groups; and a rear group that is provided on an image side of the front group and that includes a negative lens and a positive lens. The positive lens has a flat lens surface on its image side, and is tiltable about a spherical center of its object side lens surface that is convex on the object side. When a lens system is inclined, the positive lens is tilted in relation to the optical axis of the lens system based on: a focal length of the overall lens system; an angle of the optical axis of the lens system after being inclined in relation to the optical axis before being inclined; a distance between the image side lens surface of the positive lens and the image plane; and a refractive index of the positive lens.

Abstract: An imaging lens is provided and includes: in order from the object side, a first lens having a convex surface on the object side and having a positive power; an aperture diaphragm; a second lens having a concave surface on the object side and having a negative power; a third lens having a positive power; and a fourth lens having a convex surface on the object side near the optical axis, the fourth lens having a meniscus shape. The imaging lens satisfies conditional expressions: 0.2<D2/f<0.4 ??(1) TL/f<1.3 ??(2) where f represents a focal distance of the imaging lens; D2 represents an air interval between the first lens and second lens along an optical axis of the imaging lens; and TL represents a distance (along the optical axis) from an object-side surface of the first lens to an image forming surface.

Abstract: A compact zoom lens system having excellent optical performance. The zoom lens system includes a first lens unit of negative optical power, a second lens unit of positive optical power, a third lens unit of positive optical power, and an F-number defining member. The second lens unit is disposed on the image side of the first lens unit and includes a lens element disposed closest to the object side. The lens element has a rim, a surface on the object side and having a vertex, and an intersection point defined by an intersection between the surface and the rim. The third lens unit is disposed on the image side of the second lens unit. The F-number defining member is disposed along the optical axis between the vertex and the intersection point. Spaces between the first, second and third lens units vary during zooming.

Abstract: The opto-ceramics and optical elements of the present invention are transmissive to visible light and/or to infrared radiation. They consist of a crystal combination in which individual crystallites have a cubic structure of the type Y2O3 and are made from In2O3 or a mixture of oxides of the type X2O3 in which X=Y, Lu, Sc, Yb, In, Gd, or La. Also mixtures of X2O3 with oxides having different stoichiometries, such as zirconium and hafnium oxide, are possible, as long as the cubic structure of the opto-ceramic is maintained. The optical elements prepared from the opto-ceramics are particularly suitable for mapping optics, such as objectives having reduced chromatic aberrations, in particular with approximately apochromatic mapping behavior. The optical elements of the present invention may be used in lens systems in combination with lenses of glass, but also with other ceramic lenses.

Abstract: A laser processing machine head, a laser processing machine head monitoring system, and a method of monitoring an optical element of a laser processing machine feature a light-transmissive optical element and an optical element holder defining a cavity in which the optical element is retained against rotation. A light source mounted to the holder directs a beam of light into the optical element through a peripheral surface of the optical element. A light receiver is responsive to light from the light source reflected through the optical element. Monitoring a signal from the light receiver allows a status of the optical element to be assessed.

Abstract: To provide a lens-barrel and an image pickup apparatus that can effectively suppress hitting sound by lens frames and also are advantageous in miniaturization of the lens-barrel. Flow path (70) is provided at a position (A) where a first fixed lens frame (22) faces a movable lens frame (32) and a position (B) where the movable lens frame (32) faces the first fixed lens frame (22) so that air flow resistance can be generated when the air is released which is present between the first and second lens frames if these lens frames get close to each other. The flow path (70) is provided so that the air present between a first fixed lens (20) and a movable lens (30) may also be passed through the flow paths when the first fixed lens frame (22) and the movable lens frame (32) get close to each other.

Abstract: A mirror (e.g., first surface mirror) is provided with a layer of or including chromium nitride (CrNx). In certain example embodiments, the CrNx layer may be the primary reflective layer of the mirror. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, it has been found the addition of nitrogen to the chromium to form CrNx reduces pinhole formations in the resulting layer. In certain example embodiments, the more nitrogen which is introduced into the layer, the smaller the number and/or size of pinholes in the Cr inclusive layer. In certain example embodiments, it has also been found that the addition of nitrogen to Cr may improve durability.

Abstract: A mirror mounting assembly is disclosed for use in a limited rotation motor system. The mirror mounting assembly includes a collar formed of a shape memory material and a mounting unit including a tapered base that couples with a tapered output shaft of a limited rotation motor under a radial force applied by the collar.

Abstract: The rearview assembly of the present invention may include any one or more of the following: a housing for attaching to the vehicle, the housing may define an interior space that is acoustically separated into at least two chambers; a first speaker that may be located in a first one of the at least two chambers of the interior space of the housing; a first microphone subassembly located on the top surface of the housing; a second microphone subassembly located on the bottom surface of the housing; a display positioned in the housing; an audio/data transceiver for transmitting and receiving audio and data signals to/from a portable device; and a control circuit for determining whether a portable device having a predetermined identification code is within the range of the audio/data transceiver, and for exchanging data with the portable device through the audio/data transceiver.

Abstract: A reflector (e.g., mirror) for use in a solar collector or the like is provided. In certain example embodiments of this invention, a reflector is made performing at least the following steps: (a) forming a reflective coating on a flat glass substrate, (b) cold-bending the glass substrate with the reflective coating thereon; and (c) applying a plate or frame member (e.g., another glass sheet/substrate, or alternatively a thermoplastic member) to the cold-bent glass substrate, the plate or frame member for maintaining the coated glass substrate in a desired bent orientation. In certain example embodiments, the reflective coating is a mirror coating and includes a passivating film including tin oxide and/or silane(s) for better adhering to the polymer based glue/adhesive/laminating layer which may be made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or the like.

Abstract: A color filter substrate for a liquid crystal display device and a method of fabricating the same includes black matrixes on a transparent insulating substrate, the black matrixes defining pixel areas and having a first region and a second region, color filters in the pixel areas and having areas overlapping the first region of the black matrixes, and ball spacers above the second region of the black matrixes, wherein a thickness of the first region is greater than a thickness of the second region.

Abstract: An inner circumference surface of a lens barrel is formed so as to be a rough surface having a larger surface roughness than a wavelength of incident light and a plurality of fine concave/convex portions are regularly arranged within a cycle equal to or larger than the incident light.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer method comprises the processes of: adhering a side having a perpendicular magnetic recording layer of a perpendicular magnetic recording medium in which a perpendicular magnetic recording layer is formed on a surface of a disk shaped substrate, to a surface of a master recording medium in which a magnetic layer is formed corresponding to information to be recorded for transferring information to the perpendicular magnetic recording medium and of the side having the magnetic layer formed; and performing magnetic transfer by relatively rotating a magnetic field application device about the center of the perpendicular magnetic recording medium as an axis with respect to the perpendicular magnetic recording medium and the master recording medium, while applying a magnetic field to the perpendicular magnetic recording medium and the master recording medium by the magnetic field application device, wherein the magnetic field application device is rotated two or more times.

Abstract: A control apparatus performs, when reading predetermined data stored in a storage medium, a correction of a signal read by a head during a Viterbi decoding process of the signal. A signal-quality-value calculating unit calculates a signal quality value of the signal based on a status of the correction during the Viterbi decoding process. A signal-quality-value storing unit stores the calculated signal quality value in a storage area.

Abstract: A control device that controls a storage device having an auto-gain-control function for controlling strength of an output signal from a head that reads data from a storage medium, which includes a determining unit that determines whether the strength of the output signal controlled by the auto-gain-control function is within a predetermined range, an abnormal-float detecting unit that detects an abnormal float of the head based on a result from the determining unit, an abnormal-float-number counting unit that counts a number of times of the detected abnormal floats of the head, and an abnormal-float-count storing unit that stores the counted number of times of the abnormal floats into a storage area of the storage device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that dynamically controls a temperature profile within a disk drive by generating disk drive activity. During operation, the system first receives a desired temperature profile. Next, the system generates a load profile based on the desired temperature profile, wherein the load profile specifies read/write operations on the disk drive. The system then applies the load profile to the disk drive to generate disk drive activity, wherein the disk activity causes the temperature in the disk drive to track the desired temperature profile.

Abstract: A method for contiguously appending data onto media in a tape drive system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes reading existing data recorded on a media, determining an append point on the media, and contiguously appending new data on the media starting at the append point such that any end pad is eliminated and no intermediate pads are resulted. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A falling-time measuring unit acquires information indicating whether a magnetic disk drive is falling, from a fall sensor at a predetermined sampling cycle, and measures a falling time based on the acquired information. A threshold changing unit counts number of times the measured falling time exceeds a predetermined fall-determination threshold within a predetermined time, and extends the fall-determination threshold when the counted number of times exceeds a predetermined maximum number of times. A head retracting unit retracts the head to the retraction position when the measured falling time exceeds the extended fall-determination threshold.

Abstract: A head retracting apparatus retracts a head on a storage medium upon detecting a fall. A counter-value calculating unit calculates a counter value that changes with an increase of a falling time and an increase of a non-falling time. A retraction determining unit determines whether to retract the head, based on the calculated counter value.

Abstract: A storage medium (magnetic disk) in a storage device (magnetic disk device) includes a disk that stores therein data, a head that reads and writes data, a voice motor coil (VCM) that controls the head, and a ramp where the head is retracted. The storage device detects a current used for speed control during unloading of the head, and determines whether the current exceeds a predetermined value. The storage device detects a head position where the current exceeds a predetermined value as a ramp position, stores the ramp position, and unloads the head based on the ramp position.

Abstract: A retraction control unit controls a retraction of a head of a storage device to a retraction position apart from a ramp by a predetermined distance. When the head is retracted from the retraction position to the ramp, a speed control unit controls a speed of the head to ascend the ramp to be constant by outputting a preset control signal.