Abstract: The projection display apparatus includes a light source unit, a light deflector, a first light receiver, a second light receiver, and a calculator. The light deflector deflects at least part of incident light coming from the light source unit to a first optical path so as to produce a projection light, and deflects a remaining part of the incident light to a second optical path. The first light receiver receives the at least part of the incident light that has been reflected by the projection surface. The second light receiver receives the remaining part of the incident light. The calculator calculates a distance from the projection display apparatus to a projection surface based on light reception results obtained by the first light receiver receiving the at least part of the incident light and the second light receiver receiving the remaining part of the incident light.

Abstract: Provided is a mask blank with a phase shift film having a function to transmit ArF exposure light at a predetermined transmittance and a function to generate a predetermined phase difference to the transmitting ArF exposure light, and having high ArF light fastness. The phase shift film has a function to transmit ArF exposure light at 2% or more transmittance and a function to generate a phase difference of 150 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less to the transmitting ArF exposure light; a lower layer and an upper layer are stacked from a substrate side; the lower layer is formed from silicon or silicon containing one or more elements selected from nonmetallic elements other than oxygen and semimetal elements; the upper layer other than a surface layer is formed from silicon and nitrogen or a material consisting of silicon, nitrogen and one or more elements selected from nonmetallic elements excluding oxygen and semimetal elements; the lower layer has refractive index n of less than 1.

Abstract: Provided is a process including: obtaining a layout specifying, at least in part, a pattern to be transferred to a substrate via a patterning process and an etch process; and modifying, with one or more processors, the layout to include an etch-assist feature that is larger than a resolution limit of the patterning process and smaller than a resolution limit of the etch process, the etch-assist feature being configured to reduce a bias of the patterning process or the etch process, to reduce an etch induced shift of a feature in the layout due to the etch process, or to expand a process window of another patterning process.

Abstract: A mask plate includes an outer frame and a plurality of sub-mask plates, the outer frame includes a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The third side and the fourth side are parallel to each other and extended along a first direction, the first side and the second side are spaced apart from each other parallelly and extended along a second direction. Two opposite ends of the third side are connected to one end of the first side and one end of the second side, and two opposite ends of the fourth side are connected to another end of the first side and another end of the second side. The sub-mask plates selectively shield the luminescent material when preparing pixels, and extend along the first direction and arrange along the second direction and do reciprocating motion along the first direction or the second direction.

Abstract: A mask plate is provided. The mask plate includes a first transparent substrate. A first transparent electrode, an electrochromic layer and a second transparent electrode are arranged sequentially on the first transparent substrate. The first transparent electrode is configured to be selectively powered so as to form energized regions with different shapes. A method for manufacturing the mask plate, a device including the mask plate, and a method for using the mask plate are further provided.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus forms a pattern on a substrate by bringing a pattern region of a mold into contact with imprint material on the substrate and curing the imprint material. The mold has first and second surfaces. The first surface includes the pattern region and a peripheral region surrounding the pattern region. The second surface includes a held region. The imprint apparatus includes a mold driving mechanism to hold the held region of the mold and drive the mold, a mold conveyance mechanism to hold the peripheral region of the mold and convey the mold, and a controller to control the mold conveyance mechanism based on thickness between the peripheral region and the held region.

Abstract: An actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive composition, and an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive composition obtained from a method for purifying an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive composition and a method for producing an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive composition contain a cation having a metal atom and a ligand, and have each of a content of sodium, a content of magnesium, and a content of iron of 50 ppm by mass or less with respect to the total solid content of the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive composition. A pattern forming method includes the method for producing or purifying the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive composition. A method for producing an electronic device includes the pattern forming method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a black photosensitive resin composition and a black column spacer prepared therefrom. The black photosensitive resin composition may form a cured film exhibiting good adhesion to a substrate, good height difference property, good surface roughness and high light shielding property (optical density), and may be effectively used for the formation of a cured film, particularly a black column spacer, of a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.

Abstract: A resist composition which generates an acid when exposed and whose solubility in a developer is changed by an action of an acid, the resist composition including a polymer compound (A1) which has a constitutional unit (a0) derived from a compound represented by Formula (a0-1) and a constitutional unit (a10) derived from a compound represented by Formula (a10-1) and does not have a constitutional unit represented by Formula (1). In the formulas, Rax0 and Rax1 represent a polymerizable group-containing group; Wax0 and Wax1 represent an (nax0+1)-valent or (nax1+1)-valent aromatic hydrocarbon group; nax0 and nax1 represent an integer of 1 to 3; and Z2 represents Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, or Ru.

Abstract: A polymer of a polyimide precursor which includes a structural unit represented by the following general formula (7), where X1 represents a tetravalent organic group, X2 represents a divalent organic group, and R1 represents a group represented by the following general formula (2), where the dotted line represents a bonding, Y1 represents an organic group with a valency of k+1, Rs represents a group containing at least one silicon atom, “k” represents 1, 2 or 3, and “n” represents 0 or 1.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a photosensitive stacked structure that includes first and second layers, in which the first layer is a photosensitive, dielectric layer and the second layer is a photosensitive layer. The dissolution rate of the first layer in a developer is less than the dissolution rate of the second layer in the developer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus disclosed herein apply to processing a substrate, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for improving photolithography processes. The apparatus includes a chamber body, a substrate support disposed within the chamber body, and an electrode assembly. The substrate support has a top plate disposed above the substrate support, a bottom plate disposed below the substrate support, and a plurality of electrodes connecting the top plate to the bottom plate. A voltage is applied to the plurality of electrodes to generate an electric field. Methods for exposing a photoresist layer on a substrate to an electric field are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A monolithic horological component comprising a binary amagnetic CuNi alloy, said component being obtained by a process comprising the production of a mold for said component by photolithography and a step for electrodeposition. The fabrication process for the monolithic horological component is selected from UV-LiGA type processes.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for changing a shape of a surface of an optical element via electron irradiation. The device includes an electron irradiation unit for radiating electrons onto the surface with a locally resolved energy dose distribution for the purpose of producing local material densifications in the optical element. Furthermore, the device includes a control unit for determining a locally resolved energy dose distribution from a predefined desired change of a surface shape of the optical element by optimization via a minimization of a merit function, in such a way that a difference between the desired change and an actual change of the surface shape of the optical element, the actual change being brought about on account of the predefinition determined, is minimized.

Abstract: An optical proximity correction (OPC) method includes preparing basic data for OPC, measuring with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) an after development inspection (ADI) critical dimension (CD) of a photoresist (PR) pattern with respect to a sample, measuring with the SEM an after cleaning inspection (ACI) CD of a wafer pattern formed using the PR pattern, generating CD data of the sample reflecting PR shrinking caused by the SEM measurement by using the measured ADI CD of the PR pattern and the measured ACI CD of the wafer pattern; and generating an OPC model based on the basic data and the CD data of the sample.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of measuring a process parameter for a manufacturing process involving lithography. In a disclosed arrangement the method comprises performing first and second measurements of overlay error in a region on a substrate, and obtaining a measure of the process parameter based on the first and second measurements of overlay error. The first measurement of overlay error is designed to be more sensitive to a perturbation in the process parameter than the second measurement of overlay error by a known amount.

Abstract: Provided is a printing device prints a transfer material onto a substrate via a mask. The printing device includes a placement portion, a moving portion, a cleaning unit, and a control unit. The placement portion is where the mask is movably placed. The moving portion moves the mask placed on the placement portion. The cleaning unit removes the transfer material remaining on the back side of the mask. The control unit controls the moving portion. Upon maintenance of the cleaning unit, the control unit controls the moving portion to move the mask placed on the placement portion to a retract position.

Abstract: Provided here are toners and image forming apparatus and methods for the formation of a bright image with excellent brightness and concealability. A bright toner according to an embodiment comprises a plurality of toner particles containing a bright pigment and a binder resin, and has a volume particle diameter distribution with a coefficient of variation CV of 0.26 or more.

Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic image developing toner comprising a toner base particle containing a binder resin and a releasing agent, wherein the binder resin comprises an amorphous vinyl resin and a crystalline polyester resin; a weight-average molecular weight of the electrostatic image developing toner is in the range of 50000 to 90000, when calculated from a chromatogram which represents a molecular weight distribution and is measured by gel permeation chromatography; a ratio of content of a resin component having a molecular weight of 100000 or more is in the range of 10 to 20% by area, in the chromatogram which represents the molecular weight distribution; the crystalline polyester resin has a melting point in the range of 65 to 85° C.; and, a ratio of content of the crystalline polyester resin in the binder resin is in the range of 5 to 20% by mass.

Abstract: Provided here are toner sets and image forming apparatus and methods for the formation of a bright image with excellent brightness and concealability. A toner set according to an embodiment comprises a first toner which is stored in a first container and comprises a plurality of first toner particles containing a first bright pigment and a first binder resin, and a second toner which is stored in a second container and comprises a plurality of second toner particles containing a second bright pigment and a second binder resin, wherein the second toner has a larger volume average particle diameter than the first toner.

Abstract: Provided is a carrier for a developer of an electrostatic latent image, the carrier including a core particle, and a resin layer covering the core particle, where the resin layer includes metal compound particles, wherein the metal compound particles include magnesium compound particles or barium compound particles, and an exposed amount B (atomic %) of the magnesium or the barium on a surface of the carrier particle satisfies a relationship below: 10.0?B?1.2.

Abstract: According to an example, a resin, a carrier liquid, and a pearlescent pigment may be mixed to form a liquid electrophotographic ink.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for printing a substrate. The process comprises applying an analogue primer over a print substrate. A transparent electrophotographic composition comprising a coupling agent is electrophotographically printed on the primer as a coupling layer. An electrophotographic ink composition is then printed on the coupling layer to form an image layer. The coupling layer is disposed between the primer and image layer and in contact with each of the primer and image layer.

Abstract: Described herein is a security LEP ink composition comprising an absorber, a resin; and a carrier liquid for printing a security image.

Abstract: According to an example, a resin, a charge director, and a pigment may be ground to form a liquid electrophotographic ink.

Abstract: A developing device includes a housing having an opening in a wall thereof, a developing roller rotatably arranged within the housing, and a magnetic pole structure, wherein the developing roller is configured to carry a developer on an outer surface thereof using the magnetic force of the magnetic pole structure. The developing device further includes a gap forming member located within, and spaced from, the housing at a location downstream, in the rotation direction of the developing roller, of the opening in the wall of the housing, forming a first gap with respect to the developing roller and forming a second gap with respect to the housing, a blocking member arranged in the first gap, and a guide section configured to guide airflow passing through the second gap in a general direction toward the developing roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus using a contact charging method includes a control unit capable of executing cleaning in a post-rotation step at the end of a job and in an inter-image step during execution of the job. The cleaning involves moving toner adhering to a charging member from the charging member to an image bearing member. The job is a series of operations started by a predetermined start instruction and involving forming an image on one or more recording materials and outputting the one or more recording materials. When an instruction to start the next job is input during execution of cleaning in the post-rotation step, the control unit stops the cleaning in the middle of the execution, starts the next job, and adjusts timing for executing subsequent cleaning on the basis of information. relating to the amount of cleaning executed before being stopped in the middle of the execution.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus according to an embodiment includes: an image carrier; a charging member facing the image carrier; a developer carrier facing the image carrier; and a controller that controls a rotating operation of the image carrier, application of a charge voltage to the charging member, and application of a development voltage to the developer carrier. In a first period, the controller sets an absolute value of a voltage difference between a DC component of the charge voltage and a DC component of the development voltage to a first value to develop a latent image on the image carrier. In a second period after the first period, the controller sets the absolute value of the voltage difference to a second value smaller than the first value.

Abstract: A developing device includes a container containing developer, into which toner is supplied from a supply port provided in the upper part of the container; and a rotary member disposed so as to oppose the supply port and having a projection on the circumference thereof, the rotary member transporting the developer and accumulating the developer in the supply port when the level of the surface of the developer inside the container is higher than or equal to a threshold height, and the rotary member transporting the toner from the supply port to the container through a path formed between the rotary member and the container by pushing the toner with the projection when the level of the surface is lower than the threshold height.

Abstract: A developer supply kit detachably mountable to a developer supplying apparatus comprising a developer supply container and a developer accommodated therein, wherein the developer supply container includes, a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer, a discharge opening for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion, a drive receiving portion to which a driving force is inputted from the developer supplying apparatus, and a pump portion operable so that an internal pressure of the developer accommodating portion alternately and repetitively changes between a pressure lower than a ambient pressure and a pressure higher than the ambient pressure, by the driving force received by the drive receiving portion, wherein the developer accommodated in the developer supply container includes toner containing binder resin material and a coloring material, the developer satisfies, 10?E (mJ)?80, 0.4?Ea (mJ)?2.

Abstract: A developer supply kit detachably mountable to a developer supplying apparatus comprising a developer supply container and a developer accommodated therein, wherein the developer supply container includes, a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer, a discharge opening for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion, a drive receiving portion to which a driving force is inputted from the developer supplying apparatus, and a pump portion operable so that an internal pressure of the developer accommodating portion alternately and repetitively changes between a pressure lower than a ambient pressure and a pressure higher than the ambient pressure, by the driving force received by the drive receiving portion, wherein the developer accommodated in the developer supply container includes toner containing binder resin material and a coloring material, the developer satisfies, 10?E(mJ)?80, 0.4?Ea(mJ)?2.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt, a density sensor, a cleaning device and a density correction unit. The intermediate transfer belt carries a calibration toner image. The density sensor detects a density of the calibration toner image that passes at a predetermined position. The cleaning device contacts to a part of the intermediate transfer belt in a primary scanning direction, and removes from the intermediate transfer belt the calibration toner image that passed at the predetermined position. The density correction unit performs density correction of a printing toner image in the primary scanning direction. Further, the density correction unit changes a strength of the density correction for a contact range to which the cleaning device contacts on the intermediate transfer belt, the strength changed in accordance with the number of times of a calibration process.

Abstract: A conveying device, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a conveying body, a conveyance passage, and an inlet portion. The conveying body has an elastic material and is configured to convey one of toner and developer. The conveyance passage includes the conveying body therein. The one of toner and developer is conveyed to the conveyance passage in a conveying direction as the conveying body rotates. The inlet portion is formed at an upstream side of the conveyance passage and is configured to pass the one of toner and developer therethrough into the conveyance passage. The conveying body has an exposed portion exposed through the inlet portion being exposed inside the conveyance passage. A portion of the exposed portion of the conveying body includes a high rigidity portion having rigidity greater than rigidity of a non high rigidity portion of the conveying body.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a first cartridge and a second cartridge. The first cartridge includes a first wall having a first opening, a first shutter configured to open and close the first opening, and a first operating portion configured to operate together with the first shutter. The second cartridge is mountable onto and demountable from the first cartridge and contains a developer. The second cartridge includes a second wall facing the first wall and having a second opening corresponding to the first opening, a second shutter configured to open and close the second opening, and a second operating portion configured to operate together with the second shutter. The first cartridge further includes a third operating portion. When the second cartridge is mounted onto the first cartridge, the first operating portion and the third operating portion operate together through the second operating portion.

Abstract: A developing device includes a housing having an opening in a wall thereof, a hollow developing roller, a magnetic pole structure disposed within the developing roller and at least a portion thereof facing the opening in the housing, a gap forming member located within the housing at a location downstream the opening in the housing and forming a first gap with the developing roller and forming a second gap with the housing, and a blocking member arranged in the first gap. The housing and the gap forming member form a first opening and a second opening spaced from the first opening across the second gap between the gap forming member and the housing, such that the first opening is farther from the opening in the wall of the housing than the second opening, and the width of the first opening is larger than that of the second opening.

Abstract: A developing device includes a housing having an opening in a wall thereof, a developing roller having a hollow interior portion, a magnetic pole structure disposed within the hollow interior portion of the roller, a gap forming member, and a blocking member. The gap forming member is located within, and spaced from, the housing at a location downstream, in the rotation direction of the developing roller, of the opening in the wall of the housing, forms a first gap with respect to the developing roller and forms a second gap with respect to the housing, the gap forming member having a first side facing the opening in the wall of the housing and a second side spaced inwardly of the housing, from the first wall. The blocking member is located in the first gap and at one of the first and second sides of the gap forming member.

Abstract: If a user is not familiar with the operation for the developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. by increasing a rotation load of a second gear 6 which is in an operable connection with a drive gear member 12 of the developer receiving apparatus 10 by a function of a locking member 7, the developer supply container 1 mounted to the developer receiving apparatus 10 is rotated toward the supply position. After the developer supply container 1 rotates to the supply position, the locking by the locking member 7 is released, by which the rotation load applied to the second gear 6 is reduced, so that drive transmission, thereafter, to the feeding member 4 for developer supply is smooth.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a pressure rotator, and a pressure assembly that forms a fixing nip therebetween and includes a first adjuster and a second adjuster. The first adjuster includes a pressure cam, a first biasing device, a first pressure lever that holds the pressure rotator, and a second pressure lever that moves with the pressure cam and presses against the first pressure lever via the first biasing device. The first adjuster adjusts a load of the first biasing device to adjust a pressure force from the pressure rotator to the fixing rotator. The second adjuster includes an adjustment screw is driven into the second pressure lever, and a retainer that retains an adjusted state between the adjustment screw and the first pressure lever. The second adjuster adjusts a holding position of the first pressure lever to hold the pressure rotator.

Abstract: A fixing member comes in contact with a recording material, and the fixing member includes: an inner layer; an outer layer; and a graphite layer provided between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the graphite layer is bonded to at least any one of the inner layer and the outer layer, and a surface of the graphite layer to be bonded to the at least any one of the layers is ozone-treated.

Abstract: A cylindrical fixing member for use with a fixing device includes a heat generating layer and an electrode layer contacting the heat generating layer. The electrode layer is smaller in volume resistance value than the heat generating layer. The electrode layer is formed in a helical shape so that a helical axis thereof extends in a direction along a generatrix direction of the fixing member. One end and the other end of the electrode layer are electrically open.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device, which is included in a fixing device and an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet contacting body and a lateral relative position shifting body. The sheet contacting body is configured to contact a sheet to be conveyed. The lateral relative position shifting body is configured to shift a passing position of the sheet being conveyed toward the sheet contacting body, in a width direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction and a relative position to the sheet contacting body, each time the sheet is conveyed by a number of sheets based on a setting. The setting of the number of sheets varies based on information of the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image former, a fixing device, an image forming path, a circulation path and a hardware processor. Along the image forming path, paper is conveyed to the image former and the fixing device. The circulation path (i) diverges from the image forming path on a downstream side of the fixing device in a paper conveying direction and (ii) meets the image forming path on an upstream side of the image former in the paper conveying direction so as to circulate the paper such that an image forming side of the paper is unchanged. The hardware processor performs paper heating control to (i) make the paper pass through the fixing device without image forming on the paper, thereby heating the paper, and (ii) re-convey the paper via the circulation path to the image former.

Abstract: A drive transmission device, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a drive transmission body to which a drive force is applied from a driving source, and a rotary shaft having a press-in portion mounted on one end thereof in the axial direction. The press-in portion has multiple planes disposed parallel to an axial direction and configured to receive the drive transmission body. The multiple planes include upstream and downstream side planes disposed downstream from the upstream side plane in a press-in direction of the drive transmission body. The upstream and downstream side planes are aligned along the press-in direction of the drive transmission body and have respective distances different from each other from an axial center of the rotary shaft. A distance from the downstream side plane to the axial center is greater than a distance from the upstream side plane to the axial center.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of recovering the apparatus from a state in which software operation is abnormal to a state in which the same is normal. The information processing apparatus is provided with a CPU for receiving an instruction for turning off power of the information processing apparatus. Upon receipt of the instruction, the CPU determines whether or not it is necessary to turn off the power of the information processing apparatus. When it is necessary to turn off the power of the information processing apparatus, the CPU controls the information processing apparatus such that the power thereof is turned off, whereas when it is unnecessary to turn off the power of the information processing apparatus, the CPU controls the information processing apparatus such that the power thereof is not turned off.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a developing roller configured to develop an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum to form a toner image; a belt onto toner image is transferred; a detection unit configured to detect a density of an image for detection formed on the belt; and a controller configured to perform hue adjustment based on a detection result of the detection unit, wherein the image forming apparatus performs image formation in a second mode using a color gamut different from a color gamut in a first mode, and the controller obtains a lookup table, which indicates a correlation between image data to be used and input image data in the second mode, based on the detection result in the first mode and a correlation of density between the first mode and the second mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section a casing, and an open-close section. The image forming section forms an image on a sheet. The casing internally houses the image forming section. The casing includes a first opening formed in a front surface of the casing and a second opening formed in an upper surface of the casing. The open-close section includes a first cover, a second cover, and an interlocking section. The first cover includes a first cover main body that opens and closes the first opening. The second cover includes a second cover main body that opens and closes the second opening. The interlocking section opens the second cover main body as the first cover main body is opened.

Abstract: An image forming system includes: an image forming apparatus; and a post-processing apparatus that is connectable to the image forming apparatus and performs predetermined processing on a recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms and fixes an image on a recording medium, a hardware processor that controls a first parameter of the image forming unit, the first parameter relating to a first processable number of sheets, and a second parameter of the post-processing apparatus, the second parameter relating to a second processable number of sheets, and a communication interface, the post-processing apparatus operates in accordance with the second parameter, and the hardware processor changes the second parameter to cause the second processable number of sheets to decrease, when changing the first parameter to cause the first processable number of sheets to decrease.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a casing, an operation panel, a cover, and a holding section. The operation panel is located on an upper surface portion of the casing. The cover is operable and closable between a closed position and a first open position. The holding section holds the cover in the first open position. The cover includes a cover main body located next to one side of the operation panel and a shaft located on the cover main body in an edge portion near the operation panel. The cover main body is pivotable around the shaft. An inclining angle of the cover main body when the cover is in the first open position is acute relative to the cover main body when the cover is in the closed position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveying unit, transfer unit, a loop detecting unit, a driving source, a control unit, and a measuring unit. The transfer unit transfers an image formed on an image bearing member to the printing material conveyed by the conveying unit driven by the driving source. The loop detecting unit detects an amount of a loop formed in the printing material between the conveying and transfer units. The control unit changes a rotational speed of the driving source based on the detection result. The measuring unit measures a rotation amount of the driving source while a first printing material is conveyed by both of the conveying and transfer units. The control unit controls the rotational speed of the driving source based on the measured rotation amount so that a leading end of a second printing material reaches the transfer unit per the image bearing member image.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a housing, a supporting component, a grating module, a first roller, a second roller, and a control unit. When a media contacts with the second roller, the second roller drives the first roller to move the supporting component relative to the housing according to a thickness of the media, so as to adjust positions of the first roller and a grating wheel of the grating module relative to the housing. When the media drives the second roller to rotate, the second roller drives the first roller to rotate the grating wheel. The control unit determines whether the media proceeds at a predetermined speed according to a corresponding sensing signal generated by the grating module during rotation of the grating wheel, which allows a user to recognize a progress state of the media.