Abstract: A pattern forming method which includes: forming a plurality of first line patterns of which longitudinal direction is a first direction and a plurality of second line patterns of which longitudinal direction is the first direction and of which etching characteristic is different from etching characteristic of the plurality of first line patterns, so that at least one edge portion of each of the plurality of first line patterns and at least one edge portion of each of the plurality of second line patterns are adjacent to each other; and removing at least a portion of the plurality of first line patterns by etching.

Abstract: An optical system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus and a microlithographic exposure method are disclosed. In an embodiment an optical system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes at least one mirror arrangement having a plurality of mirror elements which are displaceable independently of each other for altering an angular distribution of the light reflected by the mirror arrangement. The optical system also includes at least one manipulator downstream of the mirror arrangement in the light propagation direction. The manipulator has a raster arrangement of manipulator elements so that light incident on the manipulator during operation of the optical system is influenced differently in its polarization state and/or in its intensity in dependence on the incidence location.

Abstract: An exposure method for exposing a mask pattern, which includes plural types of patterns, with a high throughput and optimal illumination conditions for each type of pattern. The method includes guiding light from a first spatial light modulator illuminated with pulse lights of illumination light to a second spatial light modulator and exposing a wafer with light from the second spatial light modulator, accompanied by: controlling a conversion state of the second spatial light modulator including a plurality of second mirror elements; and controlling a conversion state of the first spatial light modulator including a plurality of first mirror elements to control intensity distribution of the illumination light on a predetermined plane between the first spatial light modulator and the second spatial light modulator.

Abstract: An immersion exposure apparatus and method involves (i) supporting a substrate with a stage, (ii) arranging the stage under an optical assembly to maintain immersion liquid in a gap between the optical assembly and the stage, (iii) projecting an image onto the substrate via the optical assembly and the immersion liquid, (iv) arranging a movable pad, which is movable separately from the stage, adjacent to the stage, and (v) moving the stage and the pad adjacent to each other relative to the optical assembly to arrange the pad under the optical assembly in place of the stage such that the immersion liquid is maintained below the optical assembly during the movement, thereby to arrange the movable pad under the optical assembly to maintain the immersion liquid in a gap between the optical assembly and the pad.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exposure apparatus including a rotation shutter, and a control unit configured to control a rotational speed of the rotation shutter so as to match an exposure amount on a substrate with a target exposure amount in exposure processing for a shot region, based on first information indicating a relationship between a rotational speed of the rotation shutter and an exposure amount on the substrate when rotating the rotation shutter at the rotational speed without stopping rotation of the rotation shutter so as to make a shift from a first state in which the rotation shutter shields a light to a second state in which the rotation shutter passes the light and then back to the first state, wherein the control unit updates the first information based on second information concerning a change in the illuminance of light.

Abstract: In a lithographic process, product units such as semiconductor wafers are subjected to lithographic patterning operations and chemical and physical processing operations. Alignment data or other measurements are made at stages during the performance of the process to obtain object data representing positional deviation or other parameters measured at points spatially distributed across each unit. This object data is used to obtain diagnostic information by performing a multivariate analysis to decompose a set of vectors representing the units in said multidimensional space into one or more component vectors. Diagnostic information about the industrial process is extracted using the component vectors. The performance of the industrial process for subsequent product units can be controlled based on the extracted diagnostic information.

Abstract: A method to adjust line-width roughness (LWR) in a lithographic apparatus, the method including receiving a value of LWR and/or image log slope (ILS) for each feature of a plurality of different features of a pattern to be imaged, using a patterning device, onto a substrate in a lithographic process, and evaluating a cost function including a lithographic parameter and the values of LWR and/or ILS to determine a value of the lithographic parameter that (i) reduces a bias between the LWR and/or ILS of the different features, or (ii) reduces a difference in the LWR and/or ILS of the different features between different lithographic apparatuses, or (iii) reduces a difference in the LWR and/or ILS of the different features between different patterning devices, or (iv) any combination selected from (i)-(iii).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring target structures formed by a lithographic process on a substrate. A grating structure within the target is smaller than an illumination spot and field of view of a measurement optical system. The optical system has a first branch leading to a pupil plane imaging sensor and a second branch leading to a substrate plane imaging sensor. A spatial light modulator is arranged in an intermediate pupil plane of the second branch of the optical system. The SLM imparts a programmable pattern of attenuation that may be used to correct for asymmetries between the first and second modes of illumination or imaging. By use of specific target designs and machine-learning processes, the attenuation patterns may also be programmed to act as filter functions, enhancing sensitivity to specific parameters of interest, such as focus.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a patterning device support to support a patterning device to form a patterned radiation beam, the patterning device support including a moveable structure movably arranged with respect to an object, a patterning device holder movably arranged relative to the movable structure and holding the patterning device, an actuator to move the movable structure relative to the object, and an ultra short stroke actuator to move the patterning device holder relative to the movable structure; a substrate support to hold a substrate; and a projection system to project the patterned radiation beam onto the substrate, a position measurement system for measuring a substrate positional error which is a difference between a desired position and an actual position of the substrate relative to a reference object; and a controller to move the actuator and the ultra short stroke actuator based on the substrate positional error.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus of performing an exposure for each shot region on a substrate includes: a stage configured to move while holding the substrate; a measurement device configured to measure a vibration of the stage; and a controller, when the vibration of the stage measured by the measurement device during an exposure period of a shot region of a first substrate falls outside an allowable range, configured to change a control parameter when exposing a shot region of a second substrate to be exposed after the first substrate at the same position as the shot region of the first substrate so as to improve an exposure accuracy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for exposure and development, a system for controlling exposure and a system for exposure and development. The method for exposure and development is configured to expose and develop a substrate when the substrate having a size larger than that of a mask. The method includes: exposing and developing a plurality of different regions of the substrate by means of the mask respectively, wherein the plurality of different regions are pieced to form an entire region which needs to be exposed and developed.

Abstract: One pair each of a Y linear motor (a total of four) on the +X side and the ?X side that drive a reticle stage include one pair each of a stator section (a total of four) and three each of a mover section (a total of six) on the +X side and the ?X side. In this case, the three each of the mover sections on the +X side and the ?X side configure one each of a mover. The mover section located in the center in the Z-axis direction of each of the movers is used in common by each pair of the Y linear motors. Therefore, the weight of the mover section (reticle stage) of the reticle stage device is reduced, which allows a higher acceleration. Further, the mover section located in the center in the Z-axis direction of each of the movers coincides with a neutral plane of the reticle stage.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes: an object that is moveable in at least one direction; a control system to move the object in the at least one direction, wherein the control system is arranged to control movement of the object in the at least one direction in a frequency range of interest; and a conduit provided with a fluid, wherein the conduit is arranged on or in the object in a pattern, and wherein the pattern is such that an acceleration of the object in the at least one direction causes an acceleration pressure profile in the fluid along the conduit, the acceleration pressure profile not matching with a resonance pressure profile that corresponds to a standing wave mode in the fluid with a resonance frequency in the frequency range of interest.

Abstract: Provided is an imprinting apparatus that forms patterns sequentially on a plurality of areas of a substrate by using a mold and imprint material. The apparatus includes a moving unit configured to move along a horizontal plane while carrying the substrate, and an adjusting unit configured to adjust an inclination of the mold with respect to the substrate. The adjusting unit adjusts the inclination of the mold with respect to the substrate based on information related to a state of the imprint material provided on the substrate and information related to an order of pattern formation. The information related to the state of the imprint material on the substrate is variable with the movement of the moving unit.

Abstract: A conductive support for an electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a cylindrical member containing aluminum, wherein the cylindrical member has an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of 1.3 ?m or less, a maximum height of roughness profile Rz of 5.0 ?m or less, and a mean width of roughness profile elements RSm in an axial direction of 80 ?m to 400 ?m.

Abstract: To provide an electrophotographic photosensitive member which satisfies abrasion resistance and electrical properties and which is difficult to cause image deletion. A surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of this invention contains a polymerized product of a hole transporting compound having a polymerizable functional group, in which the hole transporting compound is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: a compound consisting of one or more carbon atoms, one or more hydrogen atoms, and one or more halogen atoms; and a compound consisting of one or more carbon atoms, one or more hydrogen atoms, one or more oxygen atoms, and one or more halogen atoms.

Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic photoreceptor containing a conductive support having thereon a photosensitive layer and a surface layer laminated in that order, wherein the surface layer contains a conductive filler having a number average primary particle size of 10 to 500 nm in a resin; and the conductive filler is treated with a surface treatment agent containing a fluoroalkyl (meth)acrylate/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer.

Abstract: A carrier is provided. The carrier includes a magnetic core particle and a resin layer coating a surface of the magnetic core particle. The resin layer includes a resin, a conductive particle including tungsten tin oxide, and a chargeable filler.

Abstract: A toner for electrostatic image development includes toner particles; and an external additive containing silica particles and polytetrafluorethylene particles, the silica particles having a compression-aggregation degree of 60% or more and 95% or less and a particle compression ratio of 0.20 or more and 0.40 or less.

Abstract: A toner comprising a binder resin, a crystalline material, and a colorant, wherein, in a cross section image of the toner, when R (?m) is a long axis of the toner, r (?m) is a long axis of a crystalline material domain, domain A is a domain satisfying formula (ii), and domain B is a domain satisfying formula (iii), the toner in which the domain A and the domain B are both present is at least 50 number %; an number average diameter RAvg of the long axis of the toner satisfies formula (i); and a number of domain B per toner cross section of one toner is 20 to 300. 4 ?m?RAvg?12 ?m??(i) 0.125?r/R?0.375??(ii) 0.000625?r/R?0.

Abstract: A toner for developing an electrostatic latent image includes: toner base particles containing a hybrid crystalline polyester resin having a crystalline polyester polymerized segment and an amorphous polymerized segment chemically bonded to each other and an amorphous resin; and an external additive including fatty acid metal salt particles, wherein a volume median diameter of the fatty acid metal salt particles is from 3.0 to 5.0 ?m.

Abstract: A toner comprises toner particles, each of which contains a binder resin, a colorant, a wax and a crystalline polyester. The melting point P(t) of the crystalline polyester is at least 65.0° C. and not more than 80.0° C., and regarding a storage elastic modulus G? obtained in dynamic viscoelasticity measurement of the toner, where G? at 50° C. is denoted by G?(50), G? at 80° C. is denoted by G?(80), G? at 120° C. is denoted by G?(120), and G? at the melting point P(t) of the crystalline polyester is denoted by G?(t), the following formulas are satisfied: 4.2×108 Pa?G?(50), 3.0×102?G?(50)/G?(80), and G?(t)/G?(120)?7.0×102.

Abstract: An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes toner particles including a binder resin and a white pigment, wherein a maximum frequent value in distribution of eccentricity B of the white pigment represented by the following Expression (1) is from 0.75 to 0.95, and a skewness in the distribution of the eccentricity B is from ?1.20 to 0.00: Expression (1): eccentricity B=2d/D, wherein D represents an equivalent circle diameter (?m) of a toner particle in observation of the cross section of the toner particle, and d represents a distance (?m) from the centroid of the toner particle to the centroid of the white pigment in observation of the cross section of the toner particle.

Abstract: A liquid developer includes metallic particles that may be surface-treated using an insulating material, and a carrier liquid.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming portion that uses toner containing flat pigment; a second image forming portion that uses toner not containing the flat pigment; and a toner image carrier that carries a first toner image that is formed in the first image forming portion and a second toner image that is formed in the second image forming portion. The image forming apparatus has a mode in which a relationship Am<Ac is satisfied, where Am denotes a number of toner layers of the first toner image that is carried by the toner image carrier, and Ac denotes the number of toner layers of the second toner image that is carried by the toner image carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt, a first process unit, a second process unit, and a controller configured to form a toner image based on a first pattern on a first photoconductive body of the first process unit. In addition, the controller is configured to transfer the toner image onto the belt, form an electrostatic latent image based on a second pattern on a second photoconductive body of the second process unit such that the electrostatic latent image formed on the second photoconductive body positionally coincides with the toner image transferred onto the belt in a contact position where the second photoconductive body contacts the belt, and convey the electrostatic latent image formed on the second photoconductive body to the contact position without developing the electrostatic latent image with toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a conductive member, a contact spring, a hollow cylinder, and a drum unit attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body. The conductive member is disposed in the drum unit. The contact spring is disposed in the apparatus main body and comes in electrically conductive contact with the conductive member. The hollow cylinder is disposed in the apparatus main body. The contact spring has a contact part and a helical spring part. The contact part is provided on the helical spring part. The contact part is retractable in and out of the hollow cylinder. The helical spring part is contained in the hollow cylinder and urges the contact part in a direction for causing the contact part to protrude from the hollow cylinder. The contact part has a longitudinal shape elongated along an axis of the helical spring part.

Abstract: A method of controlling a print engine, the method comprising: printing a first test image including a number of scans of printing components at a first setting of the array of printing components; printing at least a second test image by a number of scans of the printing components at a modified setting of the array of printing components, the modified setting being different from the first setting, wherein the modified setting provides a modified setting for each one of the printing components which is varied according to the position of the respective printing component in the array; optically scanning the printed test images and determining the distinctiveness of a scan band within the printed test images for each one of the test images; and deriving an optimum setting of the array of printing components from a comparison of the determined distinctiveness.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of performing a second image forming operation in which a peripheral velocity ratio of a developer bearing member to an image bearing member becomes greater than that in a first image forming operation, and in which a potential difference between a developing bias applied to the developer bearing member and a supply bias applied to a supply member becomes a potential difference at which a urging force causing a developer at the contact portion between the developer bearing member and the supply member to move from the supply member to the developer bearing member becomes smaller than that in the first image forming operation, or becomes a potential difference at which a urging force causing the developer to move from the developer bearing member to the supply member is generated.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developer bearing member configured to bear a developer on a surface, a regulating member that regulates layer thickness of the developer on the developer bearing member, and a developer conveying member. In addition, a frame has a development chamber in which the developer bearing member and the regulating member are provided, a storage chamber in which the conveying member is provided and the developer is stored, and an opening through which the developer passes into the development chamber. The developing apparatus collects the developer remaining on the developer bearing member into the storage chamber after the developer on the developer bearing member is transferred onto a transfer material. The regulating material includes a step portion that forms a gap between the regulating member and the developer bearing member.

Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing for accommodating developer therein; a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one side of the casing in a second direction; a storage medium having an electric contact surface; and a holder movable relative to the casing in the second direction with the electric contact surface between a first position and a second position, the holder having an outer surface at which the electric contact surface is positioned.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that continuously carries out image formation on a plurality of recording materials includes an image bearing member and a developing device configured to develop an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member. A first feeding screw is provided in a developing chamber and includes a first screw portion, a second screw portion and a third screw portion. Each of the second and third screw portions are provided with a blade portion formed helically on an outer peripheral surface of a rotation shaft of the first feeding screw, and the first screw portion is not provided with the blade portion. Based on information on the relative humidity in the developing container and on the amount of toner consumed with the image formation on a plurality of recording materials, a controller controls a driving speed for rotationally driving the first feeding screw by a driving device.

Abstract: A toner container includes an elongated container main body, a first toner storage portion provided in one side of the container main body in its longitudinal direction, a first rotation member rotatably provided in the first toner storage portion, a second toner storage portion provided in the other side of the container main body in the longitudinal direction, and a second rotation member rotatably provided in the second toner storage portion. The container main body includes a flat plate-like lid member closing opening portions of a first housing of the first toner storage portion and a second housing of the second toner storage portion. First and second bearing portions rotatably supporting a first end portion of a first rotation shaft of the first rotation member and a second end portion of a second rotation shaft of the second rotation member are provided on an inner surface of the lid member.

Abstract: A developer supply container includes a developer accommodating portion capable of accommodating a developer, a storage capable of storing the developer, with the storage being provided with a discharge opening configured to permit discharge of the developer from the storage, and a pump portion changeable between a maximum volume state and a minimum volume state and actable to the discharge opening. In addition, a discharge suppressing portion is movable between a first position in which the discharge suppressing portion is remote from the discharge opening and a second position in which the discharge suppressing portion is close to the discharge opening, wherein the discharge suppressing portion is in the second position at least for a predetermined period of time when the pump portion is in the minimum volume state.

Abstract: A toner case includes a case main body, a cover, and a seal member. The case main body is configured to contain a toner and to rotate. The cover is configured to cover an opening part arranged at the case main body and to maintain a rotation stop state when the case main body rotates. The seal member is interposed between the case main body and the cover and configured to maintain a rotation stop state when the case main body rotates. At least a part of the seal member is composed of an elastic material.

Abstract: A developer container or a developing device including a sheet member having a plurality of holes and a plurality of protruded portions to be inserted into the holes.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a casing, a toner conveyance unit, a cover, and a first protrusion. The casing includes a first toner-accommodating section having a first internal space for accommodating toner. The first toner-accommodating section has a first opening. The toner conveyance unit is rotatable and configured to convey toner from the first internal space to the first opening. The cover covers the first opening and has a second opening for allowing toner to be discharged therethrough. The cover has a circumferential surface at which a plurality of gear teeth is provided. The gear teeth are configured to move a developing shutter provided at a developing unit for opening or closing an opening of the developing unit. The first protrusion is configured to release the developing shutter from a locking member of the developing unit for locking the developing shutter.

Abstract: In one example, a liquid electro photographic printing apparatus includes: multiple base color ink containers each to contain a different base color ink; multiple base color ink dispersion units each connected to a corresponding base color ink container to contain a diluted base color ink and to a corresponding base color binary ink developer unit; and a custom color ink container connected to each of the base color ink containers or to each of the base color ink dispersion units, to contain and mix a custom color ink, and connected to a custom color ink binary developer unit. The printing apparatus is configured to print any of the custom and base color inks using the custom color ink binary developer unit and the base color binary ink developer units.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing to accommodate toner; an agitator to agitate the toner and rotatable about a first axis extending in a predetermined direction, the agitator including one end portion and another end portion in the predetermined direction, the agitator being movable in the predetermined direction between a first position and a second position; a first gear mounted to the one end portion and rotatable along with the agitator; an input gear engaging with the first gear; a second gear mounted to the another end portion and rotatable along with the agitator; a third gear; and a protrusion. The second gear is mounted to the another end portion while the first gear engages with the input gear in the first position. And the second gear is separated from the another end portion while the first gear engages with the input gear in the second position.

Abstract: A system for filling a toner container with toner. The system includes a base, a receiving portion, and a vacuum source. The receiving portion is supported by the base and defines a chamber. The receiving portion includes an opened end that is configured to receive a toner container. The vacuum source is in fluid communication with the chamber.

Abstract: A binary ink developer assembly includes a plurality of rollers, gears, and end caps. The rollers are in contact with each other to form a nip. Each roller includes a plurality of bearings. The gears include gear teeth. A respective gear has an involute tooth profile and applies a gear force at a pressure angle corresponding to the involute tooth profile to rotate at least one roller. The end caps are coupled to the bearings. At least one slot arranged to form a slot angle substantially equal to the pressure angle and to receive a respective bearing to support a respective roller.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus contains a control portion that controls a cooling operation of the fixing portion. The control portion sets an image confirmable position in which an image formed on a long sheet is confirmable. When a print job on the long sheet finishes, the control portion starts the cooling operation of the fixing portion and controls the conveying portion to convey the long sheet until a rear end of a final image fixed by a fixing portion reaches the image confirmable position and finishes the cooling operation of the fixing portion until the rear end of the image fixed by the fixing portion reaches the image confirmable position. The control portion also sets the image confirmable position to be at an outermost circumference of rolled paper reeled by a reeling apparatus.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium includes a fixing member that fixes a toner image to the recording medium. A heating unit heats the fixing member. A control unit receives a print job, the print job indicating a print mode and at least one job condition. The control unit determines a ready temperature based on the print mode and the at least one job condition. The control unit controls a heating operation of the heating unit based on the determined ready temperature.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a fixing device comprises a first rotating body; a second rotating body configured to face the first rotating body and be stretched over a plurality of rotating bodies; and a first mechanism configured to enable at least one among a plurality of the rotating bodies to move to change a nip width between the first rotating body and the second rotating body.

Abstract: Control is performed so that a current value gradually shifts, corresponding to a sensor value. More specifically, when a predicted value of a remaining toner amount is calculated, processing for correcting a consumed toner amount corresponding to the sensor value is performed for a consumed toner amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus determines whether crease processing at a plurality of portions set on the sheet includes crease processing on two, front and back surfaces of the sheet; determines, if it is determined that crease processing includes crease processing on the two surfaces of the sheet, whether a connected post-processing apparatus that performs crease processing on a sheet can perform crease processing on the two, front and back surfaces of the sheet by one feeding; and controls, if it is determined that the connected post-processing apparatus cannot perform crease processing on the two surfaces by one feeding, to change, to one of the front and back surfaces of the sheet based on attribute information of the sheet, a surface to be processed in crease processing at the plurality of portions.

Abstract: An image defect predictive diagnostic apparatus includes an acquisition unit and a notification unit. The acquisition unit acquires first characteristic values and second characteristic values from an image forming apparatus that forms an image by using an electrophotographic process. The first characteristic values include at least one of (i) toner concentrations and (ii) developing potentials. The first characteristic values have an influence on developability. The second characteristic values are different from the first characteristic values. The notification unit predicts occurrence of a dot image which has no relationship with the image by using the first characteristic values and the second characteristic values which are acquired by the acquisition unit, and that makes notification.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conversion unit, an image forming unit, a controller, a conveyance unit, a measurement unit, a determination unit, an adjustment unit, and a generation unit. The conversion unit converts image data based on conversion condition. The image forming unit forms and fixes an image to a sheet. The controller controls to create first and second test sheets having respective reference and measurement images. The first and second test sheets are conveyed. The test images are measured. The determination unit determines first and second information regarding positions. The adjustment unit adjusts an image forming condition based the measured test images. The conversion condition is generated based on a second measurement result. A first reference image length in a direction in which the first test sheet is conveyed is longer than a second reference image length in a direction in which the second test sheet is conveyed.

Abstract: When performing a specific process accompanied with reading or writing a storage unit in a sleep mode, the power supply control unit control a control unit and the storage unit to temporarily return. When detecting movement in a period from start to end of the temporary return, the power supply control unit restarts power supply to a display panel. The control unit controls to display warning informing that the storage unit is working and urging to be careful so that the power is not disconnected.

Abstract: A density correction unit (a1) obtains density measurement values of a surface in a measurement section of an image carrier at a first round, (a2) calculates as section background data at the first round respective differences between the density measurement values at the first round and an average value thereof, (a3) obtains density measurement values of a surface at least in the measurement section at a second round, (a4) calculates as section background data at the second round respective differences between the density measurement values at the second round and an average value thereof in a specific section with the same length as the measurement section, and (a5) determines the rotation period on the basis of a correlation between the section background data at the first round and at the second round. Here the measurement section is a part in a circulating direction of the image carrier.