Abstract: An illumination device comprises a light source (3a) that includes a solid-state light source whose peak wavelength is set in the red wavelength band, a light source (3b) that includes a solid-state light source whose peak wavelength is set in the green wavelength band, a light source (3c) that includes a solid-state light source whose peak wavelength is set in the blue wavelength band, and a color synthesis optical element (1) that combines P-polarized colored light incident from one light source (3b) and S-polarized colored light incident from the other two light sources (3a and 3c). One light source (3c) includes at least one solid-state light source whose peak wavelength is set in the wavelength band of the color corresponding to one of the other light sources (3b).

Abstract: The present invention relates to rear-projection film with “day/night” effect comprising at least two layers, where the film comprises at least one grey layer comprising at least one thermoplastic with transmittance of from 10% to 70% in the visible wavelength range and at least one layer comprising at least one thermoplastic and scattering particles, and also to the use of the said films as rear-projection areas in the vehicle interior sector.

Abstract: A mask blank substrate is provided with a substrate mark comprising an oblique section. The inclination angle of the substrate mark with respect to a main surface is greater than 45° and less than 90° and the distance from the boundary between the main surface and the substrate mark to the outer periphery of the mask blank substrate is less than 1.5 mm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photomask blank obtained by forming a resist film after performing a silylation process on a silicon-containing inorganic film and provides a method for manufacturing a photomask blank having at least a silicon-containing inorganic film over a transparent substrate and a resist film on the inorganic film, comprising: forming the silicon-containing inorganic film; heat treating the formed silicon-containing inorganic film at a temperature more than 200° C. under an atmosphere containing oxygen; performing a silylation process after the heat treatment; and then forming the resist film by application. The method can inhibit generation of defects due to resist residues or the like after development.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a photomask for wafer processing includes a step of forming a groove on the front side of a light shielding plate in an area where light is to be passed. The groove has a depth not reaching the back side of the light shielding plate. A uniting step applies a bonding agent capable of transmitting light to the front side of the light shielding plate after performing the groove forming step and next attaching a transparent plate through the bonding agent to the front side of the light shielding plate to thereby unite the light shielding plate and the transparent plate. A grinding step holds the transparent plate on a chuck table after performing the uniting step. The back side of the light shielding plate is ground until the groove is exposed to the back side of the light shielding plate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of repairing a mask. The method includes inspecting the mask using a mask inspection tool to identify a defect on a circuit pattern of the mask; repairing the defect using a mask repair tool to form a repaired pattern; forming a first group of diffraction images of the repaired pattern and a second group of diffraction images of a reference feature; and validating the mask by comparing the first group of diffraction images with the second group of diffraction images.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning a photomask. This apparatus, suitable for use in removing an adhesive residue from a photomask, includes a photomask disposed such that a surface thereof on which an adhesive residue is left behind is directed downwards, a metal plate formed adjacent to the adhesive residue, and a laser generator for irradiating a laser onto the metal plate so that the adhesive residue is removed by heat generated from the metal plate.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus molds an uncured resin on a substrate and cures the resin to form a pattern of the cured resin on the substrate. The apparatus includes a mold holding unit that holds the mold, a substrate holding unit that holds the substrate, a deforming unit that deforms the mold held by the mold holding unit into a convex shape toward the substrate, a driving unit that changes an attitude of the mold or the substrate during a releasing operation in which the mold deformed into the convex shape is released from the resin to thereby make the position of a contact region at which the mold is brought into contact with the resin movable, a measuring unit that acquires image information indicating a state of the contact region, and a control unit configured to control the operation of the driving unit based on the image information.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of manufacturing a fine structure body which manufactures the fine structure body by repeating a basic fine structure body forming step that forms a basic fine structure body by pressing a fine structure mold against a curable resin (photocurable resin film) on a surface of a base material and a release and moving step that releases the fine structure mold from the base material and moves the fine structure mold, wherein the fine structure mold includes at least a first mold depression pattern which is disposed at center area of it, and a second mold depression pattern which is disposed in at least one side part in circumference area of it, and a size of the second mold depression pattern is smaller than a size of the first mold depression pattern.

Abstract: A polymer compound includes a carboxyl group and a siloxane chain and is obtained in the presence of an acid catalyst by condensation of at least; (I) a siloxane compound having phenol groups at both terminals, as shown by formula (1), (II) phenols shown by formula (2) and/or phenols shown by formula (3), and (III) one or more kinds of aldehydes and ketones shown by the following general formula (4). The polymer compound can be used suitably as a base resin of a chemically amplified negative resist composition with which the problem of delamination generated on metal wires, an electrode, and a substrate, can be improved, and with which a fine pattern can be formed without generating a scum and a footing profile in the pattern bottom and on the substrate, using a widely used aqueous 2.38% TMAH solution as a developer.

Abstract: A composition for forming a resist underlayer film is provided, which contains: a calixarene-based compound obtained from a calixarene by substituting at least a part of hydrogen atoms each on phenolic hydroxyl groups comprised in the calixarene, with a monovalent organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; and an organic solvent. The monovalent organic group preferably includes a crosslinkable group. A part of hydrogen atoms each on phenolic hydroxyl groups of the calixarene-based compound is preferably substituted. The ratio of the number of substituted phenolic hydroxyl groups to the number of unsubstituted phenolic hydroxyl groups in the calixarene-based compound is preferably no less than 30/70 and no greater than 99/1.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a compound (A) that contains a structure (P) containing at least one phenolic hydroxyl group and a structure (Q) containing at least one phenolic hydroxyl group whose hydrogen atom is replaced by a group (S) with a cyclic structure containing an acid crosslinking group, characterized in that the group (S) with a cyclic structure containing an acid crosslinking group is a group with a polycyclic structure or a group with a cyclic structure containing a hydroxymethyl group and/or an alkoxymethyl group.

Abstract: A supporting assembly configured to support a plurality of tubes includes a first supporting rod, a second supporting rod opposite to the first supporting rod, a bridging member, and a rolling member. The first supporting rod includes several first parallel recesses. The bridging member is connected to one end of the first supporting rod or one end of the second supporting rod. The rolling member is received by the bridging member.

Abstract: A lithography method and apparatus is disclosed herein. In a described embodiment, the method comprises (i) providing a first mask having an exposure pattern for forming a three dimensional structure; (ii) exposing the first mask to radiation to form the exposure pattern on a radiation-sensitive resist; the exposure pattern defined by irradiated areas and non-irradiated areas of the resist; (ii) providing a second mask; and (iii) during exposure, changing relative positions between the first mask and the second mask to shield selected portions of the irradiated areas from radiation to enable varying depth profiles to be created in the three dimensional structure.

Abstract: A lithography illumination system, along the transmission direction of the laser light, successively having a laser light source, a collimating and expanding unit, a pupil shaping unit, a first micro-lens array, a micro-integrator rod array, a micro-scanning slit array, a second micro-lens array, a condenser lens group, a mask, and and a motion control unit for controlling the motion of the micro scanning slit array.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a controller configured to control scanning of an original holding unit and a substrate holding unit to expose a first pattern forming area onto a plurality of second pattern forming areas formed in advance on the substrate. The first pattern forming area is superimposed on the plurality of second pattern forming areas. An original may include the first pattern forming area in plural. The controller is configured to change the operation of the original holding unit or the substrate holding unit among the plurality of second pattern forming areas based on a state of the second pattern forming areas or a state of the first pattern forming areas while the first pattern forming areas are scanning-exposed onto the plurality of second pattern forming areas in a single scanning between the original holding unit and the substrate holding unit.

Abstract: A method of correcting an overlay error includes the following steps. First, an overlay mark disposed on a substrate is captured so as to generate overlay mark information. The overlay mark includes at least a pair of first mark patterns and at least a second mark pattern above the first mark patterns. Then, the overlay mark information is calculated to generate an offset value between two first mark patterns and to generate a shift value between the second mark pattern and one of the first mark patterns. Finally, the offset value is used to compensate the shift value so as to generate an amended shift value.

Abstract: A detection device that detects a mark provided on the back side of an object, the detection device includes a first detection unit configured to detect the mark from a surface side of the object; a second detection unit configured to detect a surface position of the object; and a processing unit. The processing unit determines a thickness of the object based on a difference between a first focus position acquired with reference to the position of the mark detected by the first detection unit and a second focus position acquired with reference to the surface position detected by the second detection unit.

Abstract: A position measurement apparatus that measures a position of an object using a reference mark includes a first illumination optical system configured to illuminate the object using measurement light from a light source which emits light of a first wavelength band, a second illumination optical system configured to illuminate the reference mark using reference light of a second wavelength band, and a position measurement unit configured to detect light from the object and light from the reference mark and to obtain the position of the object based on the detection result, and the second wavelength band of the reference light is set between an upper limit and a lower limit of the first wavelength band of the measurement light from the light source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a conductive support and at least a photosensitive layer provided thereon, wherein the electrophotographic photoreceptor comprises an outermost layer which contains a specific charge transport substance and a specific compound.

Abstract: A toner including a crystalline resin wherein the crystalline resin contains a crystalline resin having a urethane bond, a urea bond or both thereof, and wherein the crystalline resin has an average crystallite diameter of 20 nm to 70 nm.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes toner particles that have polyester resin and styrene/acrylate resin in the core.

Abstract: Embodiments pertain to a method of creating an electrostatic latent image through use of an electrostatic latent image generating device comprising a single exposing device for selectively exposing a surface of the electrostatic imaging member to light, and a single electrostatic charging device for charging the surface of the electrostatic imaging member, wherein the exposing device is located before the electrostatic charging device such that the exposing the surface of the electrostatic imaging member to light precedes the charging the surface of the electrostatic imaging member and wherein charge is not accepted by the exposed surface of the electrostatic imaging member and the charge is accepted by the unexposed surface of the electrostatic imaging member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier; a charger; a charging power supply; a latent image writer to write; a developing device; a rotary attitude sensor; a controller to perform a data formulating process to formulate a change pattern data and a bias changing process to cause the charging power supply to change the charging bias output based on readings from the rotary attitude sensor and the change pattern data, during a print job; and a surface potential sensor to detect a surface potential of the latent image carrier. In the data formulating process, the controller formulates the change pattern data based on the surface potential of the latent image carrier detected by the surface potential sensor, while the charging power supply outputting a constant charging bias, and based on readings from the rotary attitude sensor while the surface potential is being detected.

Abstract: In an image forming method for forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image pattern including an image portion and a non-image portion by exposing a surface of an image bearer with light based on the image pattern, the image portion has a plurality of pixels, the pixels constituting the image portion but not adjacent to at least a non-image portion are exposed with a first optical output that is higher than a given optical output obtained when the entire pixels corresponding to the image portion are exposed over a given time period.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a photosensitive member; a charging unit; a light scanning apparatus configured to emit a light beam to scan the photosensitive member to form a latent image; and a developing unit configure to develop the latent image. The light scanning apparatus includes a light source, a rotary polygon mirror, a light receiving unit, and a signal generating unit. An incident timing when the light beam deflected by the polygon mirror enters the light receiving unit after the photosensitive member is charged by the charging unit and after a voltage is applied to a toner carrying member by the developing unit is identified based on the number of second signals generated by the signal generating unit between the first signal and the first signal generated by the light receiving unit before the photosensitive member is charged and before the voltage is applied to the toner carrying member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an exposing device including: light sources including light emitting portions and respectively for photoconductors; a deflector for deflecting light from each light emitting portion; optical systems each for using the deflected light to form an image on the photoconductor; and a first beam detector for detecting reference light deflected by the deflector. A storage stores parameters respectively for the light emitting portions. Each of the parameters relates to a writing time extending from the detection of the reference light to emission of light for exposing a surface of the photoconductor from the light emitting portion. A controller controls the timing of emission of light from each light emitting portion for exposing the surface of the photoconductor, based on a result of the detection of the reference light and a corresponding one of the parameters.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that holds a developer image, a developer transport unit that transports a developer to the image carrier by performing a rotational movement, a voltage application unit that applies, between the developer transport unit and the image carrier, a voltage that contains a direct-current voltage component and an alternating-current voltage component and that is used for transporting the developer from the developer transport unit to the image carrier, and a detector that detects a rotation phase of the developer transport unit from an alternating-current component waveform of a power supply of the voltage application unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first power source configured to supply charging voltage to a first charging unit, and a second power source configured to supply predetermined voltage to at least one of a second charging unit, a second developing member, and a second transfer unit. The first and the second power sources are grounded via a common resistor component. When the second power source in a state of supplying no voltage or supplying voltage lower than the predetermined voltage at a first timing starts supplying the predetermined voltage while the first power source is supplying the charging voltage, a control unit causes a separating mechanism to move a first developing member to a separation position before a second timing at which an area of a first photosensitive member that is at a charging position at the first timing reaches a developing position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus uses a developer containing toner particles. The image forming apparatus includes a toner-particle bearing member for bearing the toner particles. Each toner particle includes a toner core containing a binder resin and a shell layer coating a surface of the toner core. The toner-particle bearing member includes a substrate and a surface layer coating a surface of the substrate. The surface layer and the shell layer are each formed from a resin containing a thermosetting resin.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image forming unit, a developing unit, replenishing unit, and a control unit. The latent image forming unit forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image information signal on an image carrier. The developing unit develops the electrostatic latent image using a two-component developer in which magnetic carriers are mixed with toner to form a visible image. The replenishing unit replenishes the toner to the developing unit. The control unit controls switching between first processing, which includes idling processing for replenishing at least part of residual toner, which is to be replenished to the developing unit and remains without being replenished to the developing unit, to the developing unit and stirring the toner within the developing unit, and second processing, which includes the idling processing and density correction processing for correcting a density of the toner within the developing unit.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a toner container to store toner and two rotary agitation members to rotate to agitate toner in the toner container. The toner container has two arc-shaped portions adjacent to each other at an inner bottom wall of the toner container. The two rotary agitation members has edges to rotate along the two arc-shaped portions with rotation phases thereof shifted from each other. The two rotary agitation members are placed with rotation trajectories thereof partially overlapping each other.

Abstract: An image forming unit includes a first developer supply member that is arranged inside a developer container and supplies a developer to a developer carrier, a seal member of which a fixed end is fixed on a case. The case has a first wall part that extends from the fixed end obliquely downward with respect to a vertical direction and a second wall part that continues from the first wall part and extends along an outer peripheral surface of the first developer supply member, and a first distance between an inner peripheral surface of the first wall part and the outer peripheral surface of the first developer supply member becomes smaller with increasing distance from the fixed end of the seal member.

Abstract: A developing device includes a housing, a developer carrying member, and a magnet member. The housing contains magnetic developer. The developer carrying member is rotatably supported on the housing and carries the developer on its circumferential surface. The magnetic member has a shaft fixed inside the developer carrying member and a plurality of developer carrying member-side magnetic poles fixed to the shaft in its circumferential direction. An even number of the developer carrying member-side magnetic poles are formed by plastic magnets, one or more other of the developer carrying member-side magnetic poles are formed by rubber magnets, and one or more pairs of the plastic magnets located opposite each other across the shaft have the same shape and are fixed in axial symmetry with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: An oil routing system has a first fluid transport device to transport clean oil from an oil recycling apparatus of an imaging system to a first storage tank, the oil having been recycled after use in the imaging system by the recycling apparatus, a second fluid transport device to transport clean oil to a second storage tank, and a third fluid transport device. The clean oil is to be stored in the first storage tank and second storage tank as clean oil, and the third fluid transport device to return clean oil from the first storage tank to the imaging system for reuse, wherein of the first and second storage tanks, the oil routing system routes clean oil to the imaging system for reuse only from the first storage tank.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a moving surface for transferring a developed toner image during an image transfer operation, a sensing unit for detecting the amount of residual toner remaining on the moving surface after the image transfer operation, and a cleaning unit for selectively cleaning the residual toner from the moving surface. A controller coupled to the sensing unit and the cleaning unit selectively adjusts an operating characteristic of the cleaning unit based on the amount of residual toner detected by the sensing unit.

Abstract: An inclined flange roller is located outward of an end portion of a tension roller in the belt width direction. The inclined flange roller includes a flange surface capable of being in contact with the edge portion of a belt in a region in which the belt is wound around the tension roller and a roller surface capable of being in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the belt between the flange surface and an end portion of the tension roller in the belt width direction.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer element is included in an image formation apparatus, has a shape like an endless belt, and includes at least a resin base material layer and a surface layer. The surface layer is composed of a cured (meth)acrylic resin, the cured (meth)acrylic resin contains a constitutional unit derived from a polyfunctional (meth)acrylic monomer, the polyfunctional (meth)acrylic monomer contains n alkylene oxide structures and m (meth)acryloyl groups, with relation of n/m?5 and m?3 (n and m being a positive integer) being satisfied, and the alkylene oxide structure contains an alkylene group having a carbon number not smaller than 2.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a CPU capable of executing neutralization control in which, prior to image formation, a potential difference between a voltage applied to a transfer roller by a transfer power supply and a voltage applied to a neutralization needle by a neutralization power supply is gradually increased, and a value of the potential difference when the value detected by the neutralization current meter exceeds a threshold is stored, and in which, during image formation, a value of the voltage applied by the neutralization power supply is controlled based on the stored potential difference and the value of an image formation voltage applied by the transfer power supply.

Abstract: There is provided a fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet. The fixing device includes a tubular flexible member, a heater, a nip member, a reflection plate, a backup member, a stay and a temperature sensor. The flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed in the internal space and is configured to generate a radiant heat. The nip member is disposed in the internal space, the inner peripheral surface being in sliding contact with the nip member. The reflection plate is configured to reflect the radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member, the reflection plate having an outer profile. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the flexible member between the backup member and the nip member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating unit that heats an unfixed image on a recording medium, which is deformed by heating, and hence fixes the unfixed image; and a transport member that closely contacts a no-image surface of the recording medium and transports the recording medium while causing a close contact force to act on the recording medium against a deformation force, which is generated at the recording medium by the heating of the heating unit. The close contact force of the recording medium with respect to the transport member is larger than the deformation force generated at the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image forming portion, a fixing portion for fixing the unfixed image at a fixing nip, a first and second guide members configured to guide the recording material to the fixing nip. The first guide member is provided at a position opposed to a surface of the recording material on which the unfixed image is formed and at a center of the fixing portion with respect to a longitudinal direction of the fixing portion, and the second guide member is provided at a position opposed to the surface of the recording material on which the unfixed image is formed and at an end of the fixing portion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fixing portion, the second guide member being movable relative to the first guide member with respect to a direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recoding material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit including a fixing member that heats a developer for fixing the developer to a medium, a temperature control unit that heats the fixing member and controls a temperature of the fixing member, a transport member that transports the medium through the fixing unit, and a transport control unit that controls a transport speed at which the transport member transports the medium. At least one of before and after an image forming operation, the image forming apparatus performs a temperature control operation of the fixing unit while transporting the medium through the fixing unit. When the image forming apparatus performs the temperature control operation at least one of before and after the image forming operation, the transport control unit causes the transport member to transport the medium at a transport speed slower than a fastest transport speed among a plurality of preset transport speeds.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless fixing belt, fixing-belt holding members which hold the fixing belt at opposite ends, a pressure member to be brought into contact with the fixing belt, a nip forming member arranged inside the fixing belt to form a nip area by contacting the pressure member with the fixing belt, a nip supporting member, side plates where the fixing-belt holding members and the nip supporting member are fixed, and a pressing mechanism which presses the pressure member against the nip forming member. The nip forming member includes at least three layers including a heat absorbing layer contacting the nip supporting member. With no load applied, the nip supporting member assumes a shape protruding at longitudinal center toward the pressure member and is in contact with the nip forming member while having the shape protruding at the center portion.

Abstract: A fixing device fixing an image on a recording medium includes a fixing belt rotatable around a first rotation axis, a pressuring member, a heat source body and a cover member. The pressuring member forms a nip part pressuring and making the recording medium pass through with the fixing belt. The heat source body is arranged inside the fixing belt and heats the fixing belt by emitting radiant heat. The cover member is arranged between the fixing belt and the heat source body and covers the heat source body. The nip part has a passing area where the recording medium passes through and a non-passing area outside the passing area in an axial direction. The cover member covers a part of the heat source body corresponding to the non-passing area and includes through holes formed so as to adjust surface temperature of the heat source body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a movable image-bearing member, a sensor opposed to the image-bearing member, a shutter member arranged between the image-bearing member and the sensor and capable of moving between an open position and a closed position, a rotatable cam configured to move the shutter member, and an execution portion configured to selectively execute a first mode in which the shutter member is opened or closed by rotating the cam within a first phase range and a second mode in which the shutter member is vibrated by rotating the cam at least through a second phase range different from the first phase range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an image forming apparatus of which the apparatus main body is provided with an IC card reader that reads data input to a noncontact IC card. The IC card reader is installed at an angle enabling a detection surface to face downward relative to the apparatus main body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing premature or unnecessary replacement of a consumable used in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include sensing the removal of the consumable from the image production device, determining if the removed consumable's life span is greater than a predetermined threshold, the predetermined threshold relating to the consumable's expected life span, wherein if it is determined that the removed consumable's life span is not greater than the predetermined threshold, sending a notification to a user at a user interface for the user to enter an identification code, receiving an identification code at the user interface, determining if the correct identification code has been entered, wherein if it is determined that the correct identification code has been entered, permitting operation of the image production device, otherwise, preventing operation of the image production device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a charging roller, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a sampling part, a life consumption degree calculating part and a warning processing part. The sampling part executes temperature/humidity inputting process inputting temperature of the temperature sensor and humidity of the humidity sensor. The life consumption degree calculating part calculates a life consumption degree of the charging roller from a last time to a present time in the temperature/humidity inputting process by applying respective representative values of last and present inputted temperature and humidity into a model formula. The warning processing part outputs a warning when an addition value of the life consumption degrees exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The life consumption degree calculating part uses the model formula deriving larger life consumption degree in a case where the representative value of the temperature and the representative value of the humidity are respectively larger.

Abstract: A lifespan determination device determines a lifespan of a fixing unit including a heating member and a pressing member and fixing a toner image onto a sheet passing through a feed area therebetween. The device includes a counting unit, a determining unit, and a notifying unit. The counting unit includes counters for respective sheet widths and adds, to a count value of a counter corresponding to a sheet width of the fed sheet, a count value obtained by multiplying the number of fed sheets having the sheet width by a first weight coefficient corresponding to a degree of damage given to the fixing unit by the fed sheet. The determining unit determines whether or not a count value of any one of the counters has reached a predetermined value. The notifying unit provides a notification indicating that the lifespan is reached if the count value has reached the predetermined value.