Abstract: Disclosed is a method for cleaning a photo mask. The method includes a pre-treatment operation of wetting a chemical on an entire surface of the photo mask in a state in which the photo mask is stopped, and a cleaning operation of supplying the chemical to a pattern area of the photo mask in a state in which the photo mask is rotated.

Abstract: Provided are a coloring composition capable of producing a film with suppressed occurrence of striation, and a method for producing a film. The coloring composition includes a coloring agent A, a resin B, a polymerizable compound C, a photopolymerization initiator D, and an organic solvent E, in which the organic solvent E includes an ester-based solvent E1 having a surface tension at 25° C. of from 25 mN/m to 35 mN/m, an organic solvent E2 having a surface tension at 25° C. of less than 25 mN/m, a ratio of a mass of the ester-based solvent E1 to the mass of the organic solvent E2 is 80:20 to 30:70 in terms of the ratio of the mass of the ester-based solvent E1:the mass of the organic solvent E2, and the organic solvent E contains 50% by mass or more of a combination of the ester-based solvent E1 and the organic solvent E2 with respect to the total mass of the organic solvent E.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition activatable by multiphoton absorption usable for the fabrication of a three-dimensional structure which is biodegradable and/or biocompatible and/or bioresorbable. This structure is usable as a matrix for cell culture. The photosensitive composition comprises: gelatin, collagen, a water-soluble photoinitiator, able to be excited by several photons and capable of generating singlet oxygen, optionally a cell adhesion promoter, and water. A process for preparing the photosensitive composition, a process for preparing a three-dimensional structure from the photosensitive composition, the three-dimensional structure obtained by this preparation process and a matrix for cell culture comprising this structure.

Abstract: A resist composition comprising a base polymer and a sulfonium salt of brominated indole or brominated indazole carboxylic acid offers a high sensitivity, minimal LWR and improved CDU independent of whether it is of positive or negative tone.

Abstract: A resist composition comprising a base polymer and a sulfonium or iodonium salt capable of generating a brominated benzene-containing sulfonic acid offers a high sensitivity, minimal LWR and improved CDU independent of whether it is of positive or negative tone.

Abstract: A resist composition comprising a base polymer and a sulfonium salt of thiophenecarboxylic acid offers a high sensitivity, minimal LWR and improved CDU independent of whether it is of positive or negative tone.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin composition containing a resin and a compound each having a structure specified by the present specification provides a cured film having excellent adhesiveness to copper wiring.

Abstract: A resist composition comprising a base resin comprising recurring units having an acid labile group, and a metal salt of sulfonic acid exhibits a high sensitivity and high resolution, and forms a pattern of satisfactory profile with minimal LWR or improved CDU when processed by lithography.

Abstract: In a method of controlling an exposure apparatus, a plurality of spot beams is irradiated from an optical system onto a reference surface. Focal positions of at least some spot beams of the plurality of spot beams on Z axis perpendicular to the reference surface are obtained. A focal plane of the at least some spot beams is calculated from the focal positions. An angle of the optical system relative to the reference surface is aligned based on an angle error between the focal plane and the reference surface.

Abstract: There is provided a gap filling composition which can reduce pattern collapse and a pattern forming method using the composition. There is provided a gap filling composition including a gap filling compound, an organic solvent, and as required, water, the gap filling compound having a certain structure and containing hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, or amino groups intramolecularly. There is provided a pattern forming method using a low molecular weight compound.

Abstract: A microlithographic illumination unit for post-exposure of a photoresist provided on a wafer in a microlithography process, has at least one light source and a light-guiding and light-mixing element for coupling the electromagnetic radiation generated by the light source into the photoresist. This light-guiding and light-mixing element has a first pair of mutually opposite side faces, the maximum spacing of which has a first value. Multiple reflections of the electromagnetic radiation on these side faces take place, wherein the light-guiding and light-mixing element has a second pair of mutually opposite side faces, the maximum spacing of which has a second value. The maximum extent of the light-guiding and light-mixing element in the light propagation direction of the electromagnetic radiation has a third value. This third value is greater than the first value and is smaller than the second value.

Abstract: A light intensity modulation method implemented by using a mask (101) includes the steps of: 1) based on a circle of confusion (CoC) function of an illumination system (102), an initial light intensity distribution of an illumination field of view (FOV) and a target light intensity distribution of the illumination FOV, calculating a transmittance distribution of the mask (101) used to modulate the initial light intensity distribution into the target light intensity distribution; 2) meshing the mask (101) according to a desired accuracy of the target light intensity distribution and determining a distribution of opaque dots in each of cells resulting from the meshing based on the transmittance distribution of the mask (101) and a desired accuracy of the transmittance distribution; and 3) fabricating the mask (101) based on the determined distribution of the opaque dots and then deploying the mask (101) in the illumination system.

Abstract: A fabrication method of a mask and a mask, a display panel and a touch panel are provided. The fabrication method of the mask includes: providing a substrate; forming a photoresist material layer on the substrate; and performing at least two scanning exposure processes on the photoresist material layer by using a scanning beam, wherein, each of the at least two scanning exposure processes is performed along a first direction parallel to a surface where the substrate is located, the scanning beam in each of the at least two scanning exposure processes scans the photoresist material layer in a scanning region having a preset width, at least one pair of adjacent scanning regions partially overlap with each other, and a partially overlapping region of the at least one pair of adjacent scanning regions is located in a first region of the mask.

Abstract: A metrology apparatus is disclosed that has an optical system to focus radiation onto a structure and directs redirected radiation from the structure to a detection system. The optical system applies a plurality of different offsets of an optical characteristic to radiation before and/or after redirected by the structure, such that a corresponding plurality of different offsets are provided to redirected radiation derived from a first point of a pupil plane field distribution relative to redirected radiation derived from a second point of the pupil plane field distribution. The detection system detects a corresponding plurality of radiation intensities resulting from interference between the redirected radiation derived from the first point of the pupil plane field distribution and the redirected radiation derived from the second point of the pupil plane field distribution. Each radiation intensity corresponds to a different one of the plurality of different offsets.

Abstract: A substrate support for supporting a substrate. The substrate support comprises a main body, a clamping device and a dither device. The main body comprises a support surface for supporting the substrate. The clamping device is arranged to provide the clamping force to clamp the substrate on the support surface. The dither device is configured to dither the clamping force. The dither device may be configured to dither the clamping force while the substrate W is being loaded onto the support surface.

Abstract: A movable body apparatus includes a base member, a movable body that is movable at least two-dimensionally, parallel to a predetermined plane, on the base member, a planar motor using magnetic levitation and having a stator provided at the base member and a mover provided at the movable body, and a controller configured to control the planar motor so that when the movable body is accelerated or decelerated, the controller controls the planar motor to generate a driving force in a direction crossing the predetermined plane.

Abstract: Immersion lithography system and method using a sealed wafer bottom are described. One embodiment is an immersion lithography apparatus comprising a lens assembly comprising an imaging lens and a wafer stage for retaining a wafer beneath the lens assembly, the wafer stage comprising a seal ring disposed on a seal ring frame along a top edge of the wafer retained on the wafer stage, the seal ring for sealing a gap between an edge of the wafer and the wafer stage. The embodiment further includes a fluid tank for retaining immersion fluid, the fluid tank situated with respect to the wafer stage for enabling full immersion of the wafer retained on the wafer stage in the immersion fluid and a cover disposed over at least a portion of the fluid tank for providing a temperature-controlled, fluid-rich environment within the fluid tank.

Abstract: A coaxial reticle alignment device, a lithography apparatus and alignment methods are disclosed. The coaxial reticle alignment device includes: illumination modules (A, B), each configured to provide an alignment light beam; a projection objective (8) under a reticle (5); a reference plate (9) on a workpiece stage (12), configured to carry a reference mark (10); and an image detection and processing module (11) under the reference plate (9).

Abstract: A toner includes a plurality of first particles and a plurality of second particles. The first particles and the second particles each include a core and a shell layer covering a surface of the core. The cores of the first particles contain a binder resin and a colorant. The cores of the second particles contain a releasing agent. A standard deviation of a volume-based particle size distribution of the toner is no greater than 1.28. An area ratio of regions of the cores of the second particles that are occupied by the releasing agent in a cross-sectional image of the second particles is at least 50%. A number ratio of the second particles is at least 5% and no greater than 25% relative to a total number of the first particles and the second particles.

Abstract: A toner comprising a toner particle including a resin component, wherein the resin component includes an olefin copolymer including ester group having specific structures Y1 and Y2 and an olefin copolymer including acid group having an acid value of from 50 mg KOH/g to 300 mg KOH/g, the amount of the olefin copolymer including ester group is 50% by mass or more, the toner particle has a surface layer including the olefin copolymer including acid group which has formed a salt with a metal, the metal is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Al, and Zn, and the total amount of the metal in the toner is from 25 ppm to 500 ppm.

Abstract: A carrier including a carrier core; and a coating thereover; wherein the coating comprises a polymer having a low molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 300,000 g/mole and a particle size of from about 0.05 to about 0.6 micrometer. A developer including a toner; and a carrier; wherein the carrier comprises a carrier core; and a coating thereover; wherein the coating comprises a polymer having a low molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 300,000 g/mole and a particle size of from about 0.05 to about 0.6 micrometer. A process for preparing a carrier including providing a carrier core; and disposing a polymer coating thereover by combining the carrier core and the polymer coating in a mixing device; optionally, fusing the coating to the carrier core; wherein the coating comprises a polymer having a low molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 300,000 g/mole and a particle size of from about 0.05 to about 0.6 micrometer.

Abstract: Let V1 be a potential difference between a photosensitive member charged by a charging member to which a second charging voltage is applied in a preparation process and a developing member to which a developing voltage is applied. Let V2 be a potential difference between the photosensitive member charged by the charging member to which a first charging voltage is applied in an image forming process and the developing member. Given this definition, a relation of |V1|<|V2| is satisfied.

Abstract: A relation between a first thickness of a resin layer in an upstream portion of a contact nip in which the resin layer that covers a supporting member of a regulating blade makes contact with a developing roller and a second thickness of the resin layer in a downstream portion of the contact nip is set such that the second thickness is smaller than the first thickness. A potential difference having the same polarity as a toner charging polarity toward the supporting member is created between the supporting member and the developing roller.

Abstract: Provided is a developing apparatus including a developer carrying member, a developer container, and a regulating member to regulate the thickness of the developer. The regulating member includes a support member such that one end is fixed to the developer container, the other end is a free end, and the support member extends in a direction opposite to the rotating direction of the developer carrying member, and a contact member to be fixed to the other end of the support member and to contact the developer carrying member. The contact member includes a contact curved surface along a peripheral surface of the developer carrying member, and an opposite surface to face the developer carrying member. The contact pressure of the contact curved surface applied to the developer carrying member decreases as a location on the developer carrying member approaches downstream side in the rotating direction.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a sleeve for carrying a developer including toner and magnetic carrier, the sleeve having a plurality of grooves extending in a longitudinal direction; a magnet provided inside the sleeve, a non-magnetic regulating member, provided spaced from the sleeve, wherein an amount M/S (mg/mm2) of the developer carried on a unit area of the sleeve after passing by the regulating member, a gap SB (mm) between a free end of the regulating member and the sleeve, a density G (mg/mm3) of the developer, and a groove ratio ? which is a ratio of the grooves in the surface of the sleeve satisfy, 0.1?M/S (mg/mm2)?0.5, 0.2?SB (mm), and m/S (mg/mm2)×¼>?×{SB (mm)+D (mm)}×G (mg/mm3)<M/S (mg/mm2).

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a housing, a toner conveying shaft and a percussion device. The housing has a barrel portion, in which toners are contained, and a transmission portion rotatably disposed at an end of the barrel portion. The toner conveying shaft is rotatably disposed inside the barrel portion of the housing and drivenable by the transmission portion of the housing to rotate. The percussion device is configured to intermittently vibrate the barrel portion of the housing when the toner conveying shaft rotates. As such, when the percussion device intermittently vibrates the barrel portion of the housing, the toners attached on an inner wall surface of the barrel portion will be shaken down for being further discharged out of barrel portion, thereby reducing the residual amount of the toners that are contained in the barrel portion of the housing.

Abstract: A developer accommodating member for accommodating a developer includes a flexible container provided with a single opening for permitting discharge of the developer, a sealing member bonded to a periphery of the opening and configured to seal the opening, a bonding portion bonding the periphery of the opening and the sealing member, and a reinforcing member. The container includes a fixing portion fixable in a neighborhood of the opening. The opening is formed so as to extend in a longitudinal direction of the container. The reinforcing member is provided on a side opposite from the fixing portion with respect to the opening, and as seen in a direction perpendicular to a plane including the opening. The bonding portion and the reinforcing member at least partially overlap with each other.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a distortion detection section that detects distortion in which a magnitude of bending at one side edge in a width direction of a recording medium entering a fixing nip is different from a magnitude of bending at the other side edge in the width direction, a conveying speed changer that changes a conveying speed of the fixing belt in the width direction, and a hardware processor that controls the conveying speed changer such that the conveying speed of the fixing belt in the width direction is changed to eliminate the distortion in a case where the distortion is detected.

Abstract: According to embodiments, an image forming apparatus includes a fixation member, a pressurization member, a heat source, a drive unit, a measurement unit, and a control unit. The measurement unit measures the time that elapses after the image forming apparatus ends image forming processing until the image forming apparatus receives an instruction to perform the next image forming processing. If the elapsed time does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the control unit causes the drive unit to start to drive the fixation member after a temperature of the fixation member reaches a first control temperature. If the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined threshold, the control unit causes the drive unit to start to drive the fixation member after the temperature of the fixation member reaches a second control temperature that is higher than the first control temperature.

Abstract: A fixing device including a rotatable tubular film, a heater including a substrate and a heat generating resistor, the heater including a first surface in contact with an inner surface of the film and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the heater extending in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, and a heat conducting member extending in the longitudinal direction and including a heater contact portion in contact with the second surface. The heat conducting member includes a film contact portion at a position adjacent to the first surface, the film contact portion being in contact with the inner circumferential surface, and on one side in the longitudinal direction, the heat generating resistor extends outside of a longitudinal end portion of the film contact portion, and the heater contact portion extends outside of the film contact portion.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus encompasses a heat roller, a lamp, a use amount acquisition section, a switching controller and a cycle controller. The heat roller heats a sheet printed with a toner image. The lamp heats the heat roller. The use amount acquisition section acquires a use amount of the lamp. The switching controller repeats a processing from a moment at which the lamp is charged until the lamp is charged next after the lamp is not charged in a predetermined control cycle. The cycle controller sets the cycle based on the use amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that is capable of preventing discharged sheet adhesion while lowering degradation of productivity. A print unit prints an image on a sheet based on a print job. A fixing unit fixes the image primed on the sheet to the sheet. The sheet to which the image is fixed is discharged to a discharge tray. A counter counts discharged sheet number that is the number of sheets discharged to the discharge tray during a continuous print operation. A controller controls the print unit so as to lower productivity that is discharging sheet number per unit time in response to increase in the discharged sheet number counted by the counter and so as to recover the productivity in a case where the sheets discharged to the discharge tray are removed in a state where the productivity is lowered.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a controller configured to control display of information related to a specific position according to a position of a user. In a further modification of the invention, the specific position may be related to a position of a specific target, and information related to the specific position may be controlled through capturing the specific target.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires a remaining lifetime of a consumable part and a control unit that records, in a case where access to a memory of the consumable part is possible, a set value in a storage region of the memory corresponding to the remaining lifetime.

Abstract: A post-processing device includes: a cutter that performs cutting processing for dividing a printed sheet into a plurality of pieces; and a hardware processor that determines an overlapping region where a content of a recovery-printed sheet on which recovery printing has been performed due to an error which causes the cutting processing to be stopped during the cutting processing by the cutter is overlapped with a content of a printed matter obtained by the cutting processing before the error occurs, and makes the cutter cut the overlapping region of the recovery-printed sheet into pieces larger than the printed matter.

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes: a first pressing part that presses a recording material bundle to bind the recording material bundle; a second pressing part that faces the first pressing part; and a pushout part that is formed as a member different from the second pressing part for pushing out the second pressing part toward the first pressing part. The second pressing part is supported to be movable with respect to the pushout part and, when pushed out by the pushout part, presses the recording material bundle.

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes: a first pressing part that presses a recording material bundle; a second pressing part that faces the first pressing part and presses the recording material bundle; and a moving mechanism that swings at least one of the first pressing part and the second pressing part in a pressing direction to press the recording material bundle and causes the at least one of the first pressing part and the second pressing part to move further with respect to a pressing area of the recording material bundle in an entering and exiting direction where a recoding material or the recoding material bundle enters and exits the pressing area.

Abstract: A binding unit includes a first pressing part that presses a recording material bundle to bind the recording material bundle, a second pressing part that faces the first pressing part, and a pushout part that pushes out the second pressing part toward the first pressing part by acting on the second pressing part using an upper shaft lever and by varying a distance from a start portion serving as a start point of pushout movement to the upper shaft lever. The start portion is formed integrally with a member at which the first pressing part is formed.

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes: a first pressing part that presses a recording material bundle; and a second pressing part that is pushed out toward the first pressing part and presses the recording material bundle. When a recording material or the recording material bundle enters a pressing area where the first pressing part and the second pressing part face each other, at least one of the first pressing part and the second pressing part retreats more downstream than the pressing area in a direction where the recording material or the recording material bundle enters the pressing area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a mechanism configured to bring an intermediate transfer member into a first state contacting first and second drums and a second state separating from the first drum and contacting the second drum, wherein image forming apparatus is operable in: a first mode of using the first and second drums in the first state; a second mode of using only the second drum in the second state; and a third mode of using only the second drum in the first state, and wherein if an image forming retry involving a cleaning a transfer portion due to a recording medium conveyance delay in the third mode is to be performed, a controller changes over the third mode to the second mode without stopping rotation of the second drum to perform image formation on a recording medium fed by restart of feeding operation.

Abstract: There is provided an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a cylindrical shape, including a plurality of concave portions on a surface thereof, wherein a sum of opening areas of the concave portions is 5% or more and 65% or less based on a total area of a surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, an average value davg of depths of the concave portions satisfies the following Equation (1), 0.4?davg?3.0 (?m)??Equation (1) a sum of opening areas of concave portions having a specific depth d is 95% or more of the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions, an average value Lavg of maximum widths of openings of the concave portions in a circumferential direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is 20 ?m or more and 200 ?m or less, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member has at least one specific region B.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process cartridge, which comprises a process cartridge housing, a photosensitive member, a driving force receiving opening, a retractable mechanism and a control mechanism, wherein the photosensitive member is arranged inside the process cartridge housing; the driving force receiving opening is connected with the photosensitive member and provides a driving force for the photosensitive member; the retractable mechanism allows the driving force receiving opening to extend or retract in the axial direction of the photosensitive member; and the control mechanism controls the extension and retraction of the retractable mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image carrying member, an intermediate transfer belt having conductivity, a toner image on the image carrying member being primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer member in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt, the secondary transfer member secondarily transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt to a transfer material, a power supply applying a voltage to the secondary transfer member, the toner image being primarily transferred from the image carrying member to the intermediate transfer belt by having a voltage be applied to the secondary transfer member from the power supply, a contact member in contact with the intermediate transfer belt, and a constant current diode, an anode side thereof being connected to the power supply, and a cathode side thereof being connected to the contact member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit and a cartridge removably attached thereto. The image forming unit includes: a toner image forming unit; and a toner storing portion including a first toner storing portion that stores a first toner, a waste toner storing portion that stores a waste toner, and a movable partition that separates the storing portions. The cartridge includes a second toner storing portion that stores a second toner. The image forming unit includes: a first portion for supplying the first toner in the first toner storing portion to the toner image forming unit; a second portion for supplying the second toner in the second toner storing portion to the toner image forming unit; and a conveying member that conveys the first toner supplied through the first portion and the second toner supplied through the second portion, to the toner image forming unit.

Abstract: An grounding structure of an equipment includes a coil spring provided between a first member of an equipment side and a second member, which includes a metal plate member, of a ground side, wherein the first member and the second member are disposed opposite to each other, one end of the coil spring is brought into press contact with the first member, and the other end of the coil spring is brought into press contact with the second member. An engraved groove is formed at an abutting point of the second member with the coil spring, and is formed such that at least a part of a convex burr part generated along an end edge of the engraved groove abuts the other end of the coil spring.

Abstract: A transmission member configured to transmit driving of a driving member to a driven member includes a first engaging portion for engaging with the driving member and a spring portion having a shape wound around an axis. The spring portion is to be compressed in a direction of the axis. The spring portion includes a first wound portion wound around the axis and a second wound portion wound around the axis. The second wound portion is connected to the first wound portion and includes a small-radius portion. The small-radius portion is disposed such that, when the spring portion is projected in the direction of the axis, an outer portion of the small-radius portion is projected to inside of a mid-portion between an outer portion of the first wound portion and an inner portion of the first wound portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: A birefringent metasurface lens formed by an array of nanoposts generates different phase profiles for different incident electromagnetic waves of different polarization. A first polarization is focused at a first focal length, while a second polarization is focused at a second focal length. A variable phase retarder and a polarizer generate interference patterns for each phase difference between the two incident polarizations. The interference patterns are used to generate a hologram, allowing reconstruction of the image of an object.

Abstract: With regard to image data processing, a method of obtaining a focus term by using periodicity of the focus term is provided. The focus term may be used in a plurality of operation processes for processing image data.

Abstract: A method and system for recycling signals in a leaky mode device for a holographic display or other application. A leaky mode device comprises at least a first transducer, a substrate, and a second transducer. The first transducer may be configured to receive an input signal from a signal arbiter, which forwards to the first transducer as an input signal either a new input signal or a recycled input signal (or some combination of the two). The first transducer converts the received input signal to a SAW (surface acoustic wave) and transmits the SAW through the substrate to the second transducer, which converts the received SAW to an output signal, and forwards the output signal to an amplifier, which amplifies the output signal (now a “recycled” signal) and forwards to the signal arbiter. This system facilitates persistence for points in a holographic display without the need for continually rewriting to leaky mode devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to produce a hologram of a cross-section of an object includes an electromagnetic radiation assembly configured to receive a received electromagnetic radiation, such as light, from the object. The electromagnetic radiation assembly is further configured to diffract the received electromagnetic radiation and transmit a diffracted electromagnetic radiation. An image capture assembly is configured to capture an image of the diffracted electromagnetic radiation and produce the hologram of the cross-section of the object from the captured image. The hologram of the cross-section includes information regarding a single cross-section of the object.