Abstract: A lighting device is provided with a pump radiation source for emitting pump radiation, a first phosphor element for converting the radiation into a first conversion light, a second phosphor element for generating a second conversion light, and a coupling-out mirror arranged downstream of the first element in a beam path with at least part of the first light. The first light is a broadband conversion light having components in first and second spectral ranges, and the coupling-out mirror is transmissive only in one of the two ranges such that, lights having first and second spectral components in the first and second spectral ranges are separated. The second element is arranged in a beam path with the light having the second component and, in response to this excitation, emits the second light, which can be used jointly with the light having the first component in order to increase the efficiency.

Abstract: This light source apparatus includes a wheel, a motor, a rotation member, and a contact member. The wheel includes a light emitter that is excited by excitation light and emits visible light, and a base that includes a first surface and a second surface opposite thereto, supports the light emitter on either one of the first and second surfaces, and has a first linear expansion coefficient. The motor generates rotational force for rotating the base. The rotation member is connected to the first surface of the base, rotates integrally with the base due to the rotational force of the motor, and has a second linear expansion coefficient different from the first linear expansion coefficient. The contact member is connected to the second surface of the base and has a third linear expansion coefficient whose magnitude relationship to the first linear expansion coefficient is equal to a magnitude relationship of the second linear expansion coefficient to the first linear expansion coefficient.

Abstract: The invention provides a lighting device comprising a plurality of solid state light sources and an elongated ceramic body having a first face and a second face defining a length (L) of the elongated ceramic body, the elongated ceramic body comprising one or more radiation input faces and a radiation exit window, wherein the second face comprises the radiation exit window, wherein the plurality of solid state light sources are configured to provide blue light source light to the one or more radiation input faces and are configured to provide to at least one of the radiation input faces a photon flux of at least 1.0*1017 photons/(s·mm2), wherein the elongated ceramic body comprises a ceramic material configured to wavelength convert at least part of the blue light source light into at least converter light, wherein the ceramic material comprises an A3B5O12:Ce3+ ceramic material, wherein A comprises one or more of yttrium (Y), gadolinium (Gd) and lutetium (Lu), and wherein B comprises aluminum (Al).

Abstract: According to the present invention, a projection type image display apparatus enables control of a large amount of light masking through a light-masking unit while maintaining a uniform illumination distribution in an area to be illuminated by the illumination light. The apparatus uses two array lenses on which lens cells are arranged in matrix form, where light-masking unit masks the array lens installed on the light source side in their particular area. The light-masking unit adjusts the amount of light emitted from the light source. The light-masking area of lens cells adjacent to lens cells closest to an optical axis is made smaller than the light-masking area of other cells.

Abstract: A system and a method of producing sub-millimeter scale particles are provided herein. The method includes providing a substrate that has a layer of photosensitive material thereon; exposing a portion of the layer to a structured beam of light that has a cross-sectional shape, and a cross-sectional size. The cross-sectional size of the structured beam of light at the layer of photosensitive material is smaller than a sub-millimeter scale particle. The method also includes moving the substrate or the beam of light relative to each other to follow a path for making additional exposures or continuous exposure to result in a discrete exposed pattern in the layer that corresponds to the particle being produced, and exposing the layer to the light; and processing the layer to remove unexposed material around the discrete exposed pattern and to separate the discrete exposed pattern from the layer to provide the sub-millimeter scale particle.

Abstract: The production of photocatalytic color switching of redox imaging nanomaterials for rewritable media is disclosed. The new color switching system is based on photocatalytic redox reaction enabling reversible and considerably fast color switching in response to light irradiation. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the color switching system can include a photocatalyst and an imaging media. With the assistance of photocatalyst, UV light irradiation can rapidly reduce the redox imaging nanomaterials accompany with obvious color changing, while the resulting reduced system can be switched back to original color state through visible light irradiation or heating in air condition. The excellent performance of the new color switching system promises their potential use as an attractive rewritable media to meet increasing needs for sustainability and environmental protection.

Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for processing reticle blanks. In one approach, a reticle processing system includes a support assembly having a plate coupled to a frame, and a carrier assembly coupled to the support assembly. In one approach, the carrier assembly includes a carrier base coupled to the plate, a reticle disposed over the carrier base, and a carrier shield disposed over the reticle, wherein the carrier shield may include a central opening formed therein, allowing for placement and extraction of the reticle. In one approach, when the carrier assembly is placed atop the support assembly, a plurality of pins extend from the plate through corresponding openings in the carrier base, the plurality of pins supporting the carrier assembly so the carrier base, the reticle, and the carrier shield are each independently supported and vertically separated from one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to modified surfaces of extreme ultraviolet lithography photomasks and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a reflective surface having a patterned design, and a black border region at edges of the patterned design. The black border region includes a modified surface morphology to direct light away from reaching a subsequent mirror.

Abstract: A conductive film coated substrate, including a conductive film formed thereon. In a relationship between a bearing area (%) and a bearing depth (nm) that are obtained by measuring, with an atomic force microscope, a region of 1 ?m×1 ?m of a surface of the conductive film, the surface of the conductive film satisfies a relationship that (BA70-BA30)/(BD70-BD30) is 15 or more and 260 or less (%/nm), and a maximum height (Rmax) is 1.3 nm or more and 15 nm or less.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rinsing one or more pellicles during fabrication, including immersing and soaking the one or more pellicles in a rinse bath solution for a particular time period, forming a top layer above the rinse bath solution, the top layer having a lower surface tension than the rinse bath, and withdrawing the one or more pellicles through the top layer for drying.

Abstract: A method including obtaining wavefront phase information caused by a three-dimensional topography of a pattern of a lithographic patterning device, and based on the wavefront phase information, adjusting a physical parameter of the pattern.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid onium salt of formula (1) exerts a satisfactory acid diffusion control (or quencher) function. A resist composition comprising the carboxylic acid onium salt can be processed by DUV or EUV lithography to form a resist pattern with improved resolution, reduced LWR and minimal defects after development.

Abstract: A liquid solder resist composition contains: a carboxyl group-containing resin; a photopolymerizable compound which contains one or more kinds of compounds selected from a group consisting of a photopolymerizable monomer and a photopolymerizable prepolymer; a photopolymerization initiator; an epoxy compound; and titanium dioxide. The carboxyl group-containing resin is obtained by polymerization of a monomer composition which contains: a carboxyl group-containing monomer represented by following formula (1); and a maleimide compound represented by following formula (2). The carboxyl group-containing resin does not contain a photopolymerizable functional group. In the formula (1), X represents Ra—COO.

Abstract: A chemically amplified positive-type photosensitive resin composition capable of forming a resist pattern having a nonresist portion with a favorable rectangular sectional shape, a method of manufacturing a resist pattern using the composition, a method of manufacturing a substrate with a template using the composition, and a method of manufacturing a plated article using the substrate with a template manufactured by the method. In a chemically amplified positive-type photosensitive resin composition including an acid generator, a resin whose solubility in alkali increases under the action of acid, and an organic solvent, an acrylic resin is used that includes a constituent unit derived from an acrylic acid ester including an —SO2-containing cyclic group or a lactone-containing cyclic group, and a constituent unit derived from an acrylic acid ester containing an organic group including an aromatic group and an alcoholic hydroxyl group.

Abstract: A resist underlayer film-forming composition for lithography process having characteristics of enabling wafer surface planarization after film formation, excellent planarization performance on substrate with level difference, and good embeddability in fine hole pattern. The resist underlayer film-forming composition including polymer having unit structure of Formula (1) and solvent, wherein each of R1 to R4 is independently hydrogen atom or methyl group, and X1 is divalent organic group having at least one arylene group optionally substituted by alkyl group, amino group, or hydroxyl group, and wherein X1 in Formula (1) is organic group of Formula (2), wherein A1 is phenylene group or naphthylene group, A2 is phenylene group, naphthylene group, or organic group of Formula (3), and dotted line is bond, and wherein each of A3 and A4 is independently phenylene group or naphthylene group, and dotted line is bond.

Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus may include a chamber, a target supply device configured to successively supply targets into the chamber, and an extreme ultraviolet light collector mirror including a reflective surface having a through-hole at the center thereof. The reflective surface may reflect and collect extreme ultraviolet light generated at a predetermined emission cycle because of irradiation of the successively supplied targets with a laser beam. A gas ejection device may be disposed in the through-hole to jut out from the reflective surface and have a gas ejection opening to eject etching gas for debris onto the reflective surface. The gas ejection device may be configured so that the etching gas takes a longer time than the predetermined emission cycle to reach the through-hole-side end of effective reflective area of the reflective surface after being ejected from the gas ejection opening.

Abstract: A method of lithography patterning includes forming a resist layer over a substrate and providing a radiation with a first exposure dose to define an opening to be formed in the resist layer. The opening is to have a target critical dimension CD1 after developed by a negativ-tone development (NTD) process. The method further includes exposing the resist layer to the radiation with a second exposure dose less than the first exposure dose and developing the resist layer in a negative-tone development process to remove unexposed portions of the resist layer, resulting in an opening between resist patterns. A critical dimension CD2 of the opening is greater than CD1 by a delta. The method further includes forming an interfacial layer on sidewalls of the resist patterns. The interfacial layer has a thickness that is substantially equal to half of the delta.

Abstract: There is provided a projection optical system that projects an image of an object onto an image plane. The projection optical system includes an imaging optical system including a first concave mirror, a convex mirror, and a second concave mirror; an optical member having a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface each redirecting an optical path; and a supporting member that supports the convex mirror. The first reflecting surface, the first concave mirror, the convex mirror, the second concave mirror, and the second reflecting surface are provided in that order in a direction of travel of light from an object plane. The optical member has a through hole having an opening on a side facing the convex mirror. The supporting member extends through the through hole and from the opening to the convex mirror.

Abstract: A projection lens of an EUV-lithographic projection exposure system with at least two reflective optical elements each comprising a body and a reflective surface for projecting an object field on a reticle onto an image field on a substrate if the projection lens is exposed with an exposure power of EUV light, wherein the bodies of at least two reflective optical elements comprise a material with a temperature dependent coefficient of thermal expansion which is zero at respective zero cross temperatures, and wherein the absolute value of the difference between the zero cross temperatures is more than 6K.

Abstract: A device manufacturing method includes conditioning a beam of radiation using an illumination system. The conditioning includes controlling an array of individually controllable elements and associated optical components of the illumination system to convert the radiation beam into a desired illumination mode, the controlling including allocating different individually controllable elements to different parts of the illumination mode in accordance with an allocation scheme, the allocation scheme selected to provide a desired modification of one or more properties of the illumination mode, the radiation beam or both. The method also includes patterning the radiation beam having the desired illumination mode with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned beam of radiation, and projecting the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a divisional exposure apparatus which allows for forming a PAC layer uniformly on RGBW subpixels by a single mask process, using divisional exposure, in a large-size liquid crystal display with a COT structure, and a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display using the same. To this end, the sum of illumination intensities at the center of an overlap region is controlled in the range of 120% to 130%, and gradually increases from 100% at the edge (boundary) of the overlap region. Accordingly, the cell gap between the RGB subpixels and the W subpixel is made uniform, thus preventing the problem of spots.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical element includes: providing a substrate (102), applying a layer system (103), wherein an optically effective surface (101) is formed and wherein the layer system has a layer (104) that is thermally deformable for manipulating the geometric shape of the optically effective surface, and applying a temperature field to the optical element while at least regionally heating the thermally deformable layer to above a specified operating temperature of the optical system. The thermally deformable layer is configured such that a deformation that is induced when the temperature field is applied is at least partially maintained after the optical element has cooled. Also disclosed is an optical element (400) that has an optically effective surface (401), a substrate (402), and a layer system (403) that has a reflection layer system (406), which includes a shape-memory alloy.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method that includes filling a cavity in a substrate with a second material, wherein the substrate includes a first material. The method also includes using galvanic and/or chemical deposition of a third material to apply an overcoating to a first surface of the substrate in a region of the cavity. The method further includes removing the second material from the cavity. In addition, the method includes, before or after removing the second material from the cavity, applying a reflective layer to the overcoating. The disclosure also provides related optical articles and systems.

Abstract: An object table to support an object, the object table having a support body, an object holder to hold an object, an opening adjacent an edge of the object holder, and a channel in fluid communication with the opening via a passageway, wherein the channel is defined by a first material which is different to a second material defining the passageway.

Abstract: A system includes a digital pattern generator (DPG) having a plurality of pixels that are dynamically and individually controllable; a switching device that is coupled to the DPG, the switching device configured to route a packet to the DPG so as to control at least one of the pixels, the switching device further comprising: a plurality of input buffers configured to receive and store the packet through a transmission line; a plurality of output buffers; a plurality of memory devices, wherein each of the plurality of memory devices is associated with one of the plurality of output buffers; and a scheduling engine that is coupled to the plurality of input buffers, the plurality of output buffers, and the plurality of memory devices and is configured to determine a routing path for the packet stored in one of the input buffers based on an availability of the output buffers and a vacancy level the memory devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of performing a measurement in an inspection apparatus, and an associated inspection apparatus and HHG source. The method comprises configuring one or more controllable characteristics of at least one driving laser pulse of a high harmonic generation radiation source to control the output emission spectrum of illumination radiation provided by the high harmonic generation radiation source; and illuminating a target structure with said illuminating radiation. The method may comprise configuring the driving laser pulse so that the output emission spectrum comprises a plurality of discrete harmonic peaks. Alternatively the method may comprise using a plurality of driving laser pulses of different wavelengths such that the output emission spectrum is substantially monochromatic.

Abstract: A substrate is exposed with an illumination light via a projection optical system. A stage that holds the substrate moves below the projection optical system. A measurement system measures positional information of the stage with a plurality of heads that face a grating section. Movement of the stage is controlled based on the positional information measured with the measurement system, while compensating for a measurement error of the measurement system that occurs due to the heads.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member, in which occurrences of image defects are suppressed, and a method for manufacturing the electrophotographic photosensitive member are provided. In addition, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus, which include the electrophotographic photosensitive member, are provided. The surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a cured material, and the cured material is a copolymer of a hole transport compound having a chain-polymerizable functional group and a vinyl ester compound containing a long-chain alkyl group.

Abstract: An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes: toner particles; first silica particles having an average circularity of 0.9 to 1.0, a particle size distribution index of 1.05 to 1.25, and a compression aggregation degree of 60% to 95%; and second silica particles having an average circularity of 0.9 to 1.0, a particle size distribution index of 1.05 to 1.25, and a compression aggregation degree of 60% to 95%, wherein, when an average primary particle diameter of the first silica particles is set as Da (nm) and an average primary particle diameter of the second silica particles is set as Db (nm), relationships of the following Expressions (A1) to (A3) are satisfied: Expression (A1): 80?Da?120, Expression (A2): 120?Db?200, and Expression (A3): 10?Db?Da?120.

Abstract: An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes toner particles, silica particles having an average particle diameter of 80 nm to 200 nm, lubricant particles N which has negatively chargeable property, and lubricant particles P which has positively chargeable property, wherein a content (s) of the silica particles, a content (n) of the lubricant particles N, and a content (p) of the lubricant particles P satisfy relationships of Expression (1): 0.002?p/s?0.2; and Expression (2): 0.02?n/s?0.5.

Abstract: A toner comprising a toner particle containing a binder resin, a wax, and inorganic fine particles, wherein the binder resin contains a crystalline polyester resin and an amorphous polyester resin, and, in a cross section of the toner particle, when Sc represents an area taken up by the crystalline polyester resin and S1 represents an area taken up by the inorganic fine particles that are present in the crystalline polyester resin portion, Sc and S1 satisfy the relationship S1/Sc?0.2.

Abstract: A toner includes a toner particle containing a resin component. The resin component contains an ester group-containing olefin copolymer and an acid group-containing olefin copolymer. For example, the ester group-containing olefin copolymer is an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and the acid group-containing olefin copolymer is an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer. The acid group-containing olefin copolymer has an acid value of 50 to 300 mg KOH/g. The content of the ester group-containing olefin copolymer in the resin component is 50 mass % or more based on the total mass of the resin component. The content of the unit derived from the vinyl acetate is 3 mass % or more and 35 mass % or less based on the total mass of the ester group-containing olefin copolymer.

Abstract: By controlling the migration to the toner particle surface of the crystalline polyester present in the toner particle, a toner is provided that exhibits an excellent durability in long-term use, a stable charging performance after holding in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment, and an excellent low-temperature fixability, in which the toner having a toner particle that contains an amorphous resin, a crystalline polyester, and a wax, wherein the toner particle includes, at the surface thereof, a coat layer containing a cyclic polyolefin resin.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt rotating in a rotational direction, photosensitive drums, primary transferring parts, static eliminating parts and cleaning parts. The static eliminating part is arranged between the primary transferring part and the cleaning part, and includes a light guide body and a light source arranged at one end side of the light guide body. The static eliminating part irradiates upstream and downstream sides from the light guide body in the rotational direction with the static eliminating light. The image forming apparatus comprises a first light shading part and/or a second light shading part. The first/second light shading part is arranged between the photosensitive drum at a downstream/upstream side from the light guide body in the rotational direction and the light guide body to adjust pre-transfer/post-transfer static eliminating light quantity from the light guide body to the downstream/upstream side photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive member; an exposure unit configured to divide one pixel into a plurality of pixel pieces and perform exposure on a pixel piece-by-pixel piece basis, to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member; a determination unit configured to determine, based on image data, an isolated pixel surrounded by blank pixels in the electrostatic latent image; a selection unit configured to select a correction target pixel from the blank pixels surrounding the isolated pixel; and a correction unit configured to correct the image data so as to expose a pixel piece of the correction target pixel.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a setting unit configured to set light intensity correction data stored in a storage unit according to an exposure position while a light beam is being scanned on a photosensitive member at a first scan speed; and a light intensity controller configured to control a light intensity based on the correction data set by the setting unit, wherein the setting unit calculates a light intensity correction data corresponding to a position between a plurality of positions based on the stored correction data, set the correction data according to the exposure position while the light beam is being scanned at a second scan speed lower than the first scan speed; and fixes a switching period for switching the correction data according to the exposure position while the light beam is being scanned on an image forming area of the photosensitive member regardless of the scan speed.

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging device, including at least one photoconductive member, a printhead unit, at least one shutter-wiper member, and at least one shutter actuator. The at least one shutter-wiper member is moveable in a first direction between a first position in which the shutter-wiper covers the at least one exit lens of the printhead unit and a second position in which the at least one shutter-wiper does not cover the at least one exit lens so as to allow the at least one light beam generated by the printhead unit to pass therethrough. The at least one actuator is coupled to the at least one shutter-wiper member such that movement of the at least one shutter actuator in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction causes the corresponding shutter-wiper member to move in the first direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an optical scanning device includes a board and a light receiving member, the positional accuracy of which is improved. When a length in a scanning direction and a length in an intersection direction of a body portion of the light receiving member are denoted by Lx0 and Ly0, respectively, and a length in the scanning direction and a length in the intersection direction of a through-hole formed in the board are denoted by Lx1 and Ly1, respectively, the lengths Lx0, Ly0, Lx1, and Ly1 satisfy the following formula: (Lx1?Lx0)>(Ly1?Ly0).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides developing member superior in triboelectric charge imparting ability to a toner. The developing member includes a substrate and a surface layer, the surface layer containing alumina particles and a resin, the surface layer having protrusions on the surface thereof. Each of the protrusions containing the alumina particles, part or all of the alumina particles being exposed at the surfaces of the protrusions, and the resin being interposed among the alumina particles.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes lock mechanisms, a second detection processing portion, and a second release processing portion. The lock mechanisms regulate attachment and detachment of the developer storage portions attached to the attachment portions. The second detection processing portion detects whether or not any of the image forming units has an abnormality. The second release processing portion can release a regulation on attachment and detachment of two or more developer storage portions corresponding to two or more image forming units that include at least an image forming unit adjacent to the image forming unit detected to have the abnormality.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a toner image forming device, a plurality of image density detectors, and a controller. The plurality of image density detectors are disposed at predetermined intervals opposite the image bearer in a width direction of the image bearer. The controller causes the toner image forming device to form toner image patterns having an identical density at the plurality of positions on the image bearer and the plurality of image density detectors detects a density of the toner image patterns. Based on the detected density of the toner image patterns, the controller identifies multiple cyclic fluctuations of the density of the toner image patterns and adjusts an image forming condition based on the multiple cyclic fluctuations of the density of the toner image patterns to decrease an amplitude caused by the multiple cyclic fluctuations of the density of the toner image patterns.

Abstract: In one example, an article for an imaging supply for a printer that includes a first memory and a second memory in which the first memory stores an indication that unsigned data or signed data is stored on the second memory and the second memory stores consumables management data to cause the printer to define at least one of a yield, a low point, and an out point of the imaging supply.

Abstract: The powder container includes a container body containing a powder for image formation, the powder being to be supplied to a powder replenishing device; a conveyor configured to convey the powder from one end in a longitudinal direction to the other end at which a cylindrical container opening is formed, the conveyor being provided inside the container body; a gear configured to rotate the conveyor with an external driving force; a container cover configured to cover the gear, the container cover having a gear exposing hole for partially exposing a gear tooth; and a nozzle receiver configured to guide the conveying nozzle inside of the container body, the nozzle receiver being provided on the container opening. The container cover includes a container engaged portion provided outer than the tooth of the gear in a radial direction.

Abstract: A developing device develops, with developer, an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrying member, and includes a developing tank, a developer carrying member, and a drive input portion. The developing tank stores the developer and has a receiving port and a discharge port through which the developer is received and discharged respectively. The developer carrying member rotates in the developing tank while carrying the developer. The drive input portion receives a rotational force from outside the developing device and transmit the rotational force to a driven rotation shaft that is a rotation shaft of the developer carrying member. The receiving port, the discharge port, and the drive input portion are provided in the developing tank to be close to an end of the developing tank in a longitudinal direction of the developing tank.

Abstract: In a toner conveying device, a conveyance path of toner is formed in the casing. A conveyance screw is supported by two support portions of the casing so as to be rotated in the conveyance path and convey the toner along the conveyance path. A low friction portion is provided on an inner side surface of the casing facing the conveyance screw, in a middle of the two support portions. The low friction portion has a lower friction coefficient with the conveyance screw than the other portions of the inner side surface. In a region along a longitudinal direction of the conveyance screw including the low friction portion, a space between the low friction portion and the conveyance screw is narrower than a space between the conveyance screw and portions of the inner side surface other than the portion on which the low friction portion is provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device; a developer supply container including an accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, a projected portion projected from the accommodating portion, and a discharge opening for discharging the developer; and a developer supplying device for storing the developer to be supplied to the developing device. The developer supply container is mounted to the developer supplying device. The developer supplying device includes i) a storage portion configured to store the developer, ii) an opening configured to insert the projected portion into the storage portion, iii) an abutting portion abutting to the developer supply container to set the projected portion at a predetermined position relative to the storage portion, iv) a shield portion at least a part of which is vertically below the projected portion of the developer supply container.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, including: an image bearing member; a developing device which is configured to store developer having magnetic carrier and toner and to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member; a discharge port which is arranged in the developing device and through which developer is discharged from the developing device; a collection portion which is configured to collect the developer discharged through the discharge port; a discharge conveyance portion which is configured to convey the developer discharged through the discharge port to the collection portion; an environment detector which is arranged in a conveyance passage of the discharge conveyance portion and is configured to detect environment information; and an adjustment portion which is configured to adjust a development condition of the developing device based on output of the environment detector.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer unit is attached to a position in the main body portion from a front side of the main body portion along the depth direction in a detachable manner. A cover portion extends in the depth direction and along a region of the outer circumferential surface of a rotating image carrying member that is more on a downstream side in a rotation direction of the image carrying member than the top region of the rotating image carrying member that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt. A shield portion is provided on a portion of an upper surface of the cover portion that is closer to a front surface of the main body portion than the intermediate transfer belt. The shield portion has a taper surface that is inclined diagonally downward from a top surface of the shield portion toward the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a transfer portion that transfers a toner image to a transfer material, a first roller disposed upstream of the transfer portion in a conveying direction of the transfer material, and a second roller disposed upstream of the transfer portion and downstream of the first roller. The triboelectric charge polarities of the surfaces of the first and second rollers when the surfaces are triboelectrically charged by contact with the transfer material differ from each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes first and second conveyance and calculation units, a reverse unit, a control unit, an image forming unit, and a stack unit to stack sheets. A recording material is conveyed from the stack unit to the image forming unit. The recording material is conveyed reversely, and is conveyed to a double-sided conveyance path and to the image forming unit. Without causing a recording material to wait in the reverse unit, a first recording material is conveyed from the stack unit, then a second recording material is conveyed, and subsequently a third recording material is conveyed. A conveyance interval time and a maximum waiting time are calculated. When the conveyance interval time exceeds the maximum waiting time, the second recording material conveyance starts at timing based on a waiting time after conveyance of the first recording material, and the third recording material conveyance starts at a timing.