Abstract: A pellicle characterized by having an amount of released aqueous gas of 1×10?3 Pa·L/s or less per pellicle, an amount of released hydrocarbon-based gas of 1×10?5 Pa·L/s or less per pellicle in a range of measured mass number of 45 to 100 amu, and an amount of released hydrocarbon-based gas of 4×10?7 Pa·L/s or less per pellicle in a range of measured mass number of 101 to 200 amu, under vacuum after the pellicle has been left to stand for 10 minutes in an atmosphere of 23° C. and 1×10?3 Pa or less.

Abstract: Methods and systems for building a photomask from obtained pattern information relating to a photomask that exhibits defects on wafer. Spatial domain analysis is conducted on the pattern information so that corrective photomask structures can be generated and applied to a photomask layout. A photomask is built using the corrective photomask structures. The photomask is verified for effectiveness.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for disposing of excess material of a photolithographic mask, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a) enlarging a surface of the excess material; (b) displacing the enlarged excess material on the photolithographic mask using at least one first probe of a scanning probe microscope; and (c) removing the displaced enlarged excess material from the photolithographic mask.

Abstract: A chemically amplified negative resist composition comprising (A) a sulfurane or selenurane compound having formula (A1) wherein M is sulfur or selenium and (B) a base polymer containing a polymer comprising repeat units having formula (B1) is provided. The resist composition exhibits a high resolution during pattern formation and forms a pattern with minimal LER or LWR.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition with which a pattern thus formed has excellent LER and collapse suppressing ability. The actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition of the present invention includes a compound that generates an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation, and a resin whose polarity increases by the action of an acid, in which the resin includes a repeating unit represented by General Formula (B-1), and a content of the repeating unit represented by General Formula (B-1) is 5% to 70% by mass with respect to all the repeating units in the resin.

Abstract: A resist composition includes a novolak resin in which a hydroxy group is substituted with a group represented by formula (3), an acid generator, a quencher, and a solvent: wherein, in formula (3), Ra10 represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms (e.g., a chain hydrocarbon group such as an alkyl group, an alkenyl group and an alkynyl group, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group, an aromatic hydrocarbon group, groups formed by combining these groups, etc.) and * represents a bond.

Abstract: The present invention provides an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing (A) a resin having a solubility in an alkali developer that increases through decomposition by an action of an acid and (B) a compound that generates an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation and is represented by a specific structure; an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive film using the composition; a pattern forming method; a method for manufacturing an electronic device; and a compound.

Abstract: A chemically amplified positive resist composition is provided comprising (A) a sulfurane or selenurane compound having formula (A1) wherein M is sulfur or selenium and (B) a base polymer containing a polymer comprising repeat units having formula (B1). The resist composition exhibits a high resolution during pattern formation and forms a pattern with improved LER and CDU.

Abstract: A method for removing a resist layer including the following steps is provided. A patterned resist layer on a material layer is formed. A stripping solution is applied to the patterned resist layer to dissolve the patterned resist layer without dissolving the material layer, wherein the stripping solution comprises a non-dimethyl sulfoxide solvent and an alkaline compound, the non-dimethyl sulfoxide solvent comprises an aprotic solvent and a protic solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining a complex-valued field relating to a sample measured using an imaging system. The method comprises obtaining image data relating to a series of images of the sample, imaged at an image plane of the imaging system, and for which at least two different modulation functions are imposed in a Fourier plane of the imaging system; and determining the complex-valued field from the imaging data based on the imposed modulation functions.

Abstract: An actuator device aligns an optical element of a projection exposure apparatus. The actuator device includes a shaft. The first end portion of the shaft is deflectably suspended from a base point of a supporting structure by way of a joint. The second end portion of the shaft is fixed on the optical element. At least one actuator unit has a translator fixed on the shaft and a stator mechanically connected to the supporting structure to apply a deflection force to the shaft to radially deflect the shaft from a middle position.

Abstract: Some implementations described herein include operating components in a lithography system at variable speeds to reduce, minimize, and/or prevent particle generation due to rubbing of or collision between contact parts of the components. In some implementations, a component in a path of transfer of a semiconductor substrate in the lithography system is operated at a relatively high movement speed through a first portion of an actuation operation, and is operated at a reduced movement speed (e.g., a movement speed that is less than the high movement speed) through a second portion of the actuation operation in which contact parts of the component are to interact. The reduced movement speed reduces the likelihood of particle generation and/or release from the contact parts when the contact parts interact, while the high movement speed provides a high semiconductor substrate throughput in the lithography system.

Abstract: A measurement system in which an object that moves toward a processing position serves as a measurement target. In the processing position a processing device is capable of applying processing to the object. The measurement system includes: a mark detection device that has an irradiation system to irradiate a mark provided at the object that is moving with a measurement beam while moving the measurement beam; and a beam receiving system to receive a beam from the mark. The irradiation system irradiates the object with the measurement beam while moving the measurement beam, during a period when the object moves toward the processing position.

Abstract: A display device includes: an optical member including a plurality of lenses and a first alignment mark disposed to overlap at least one lens of the plurality of lenses; and a display panel including a plurality of subpixels and a second alignment mark disposed between the plurality of subpixels and overlapping the first alignment mark, wherein each of the first alignment mark and the second alignment mark includes a magnetic substance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a brush, and a controller. The controller controls so that, in a case where, in a state where a recording material trailing edge in a conveyance direction is sandwiched at a transfer portion, an area of the image bearing member in the conveyance direction where the recording material is sandwiched in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction is a first area, and an area of the image bearing member in the conveyance direction where the recording material is not sandwiched is a second area, a first potential difference formed between a surface potential formed on the second area and a brush voltage, which is based on first information, when the second area reaches the brush and a second potential difference formed between the second area surface potential and the brush voltage, which is based on second information, are different.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming portion, a second image forming portion, a power source portion, and a controller. The power source portion is constituted so that when the power source portion applies a charging voltage to a first charging member of the first image forming portion, the charging voltage is also applied to a second charging member of the second image forming portion. The controller carries out control so that an emitted light quantity of a light emitting element is changed from a first light quantity to a second light quantity larger than the first light quantity and is changed from the second light quantity to a third light quantity larger than the second light quantity.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photoconductor that rotates about a first axis; an exposure portion that includes a substrate that includes a plurality of light emitting portions for exposing a surface of the photoconductor, and a support portion for supporting the substrate, and that moves between an exposure position where the photoconductor is exposed and a retracted position where the photoconductor is retracted from the exposure position; and a rotational member that has a second axis along the first axis, and that moves the exposure portion between the retracted position and the exposure position by rotation about the second axis.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and an exposure unit for exposing a surface of the photosensitive drum to form an image by a first exposure amount. In a rotational axis direction of a charging portion, a width of a transfer portion is shorter than that of a developing portion, a width of the transfer portion is shorter than that of the charging portion and an end portion of the surface includes a non-transfer area in contact with the charging portion and not in contact with the transfer portion. The voltage having the normal polarity is applied to the transfer portion when no recording material exists at the transfer portion, and the exposure unit exposes an area, including the non-transfer area of the surface that has passed through the transfer portion during application of the voltage, by a second exposure amount less than the first exposure amount.

Abstract: A developing roller comprising an electroconductive substrate and an electroconductive elastic layer constituted by a single layer on an outer periphery of the substrate. The elastic layer contains a diene-based rubber, has a thickness of 0.30 mm or more, and the elastic layer has a crown shape in which an outer diameter of a center portion in a longitudinal direction along an axis of the substrate is larger than an outer diameter of each of both end portions in the longitudinal direction. Elastic moduli E11, E12 and E13 in a first region of the elastic layer in cross-sections at positions P1, P2 and P3 of the elastic layer are each 500 MPa or more.

Abstract: A developing device includes a first housing member, and a second housing member that is configured by combining a housing, in which a developer accommodation space accommodating a developer and a roll accommodation space accommodating a development roll are provided, and the first housing member with each other and that includes an integrated member obtained by integrally forming a frame-shaped seal attachment portion and an outer shell portion with each other, the seal attachment portion being a portion to which a seal member separating the developer accommodation space and the roll accommodation space from each other is attached, the outer shell portion constituting an outer shell that separates an inside and an outside of the housing from each other.

Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a plurality of electrical contacts for contacting corresponding electrical contacts in an image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical contacts of the toner container are accessible from below at the bottom of the body by the corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical contacts of the toner container are spaced from each other along a horizontal dimension that is orthogonal to a vertical dimension of the toner container. A nominal position of the horizontal dimension along which the electrical contacts are spaced from each other is angled relative to a front-to-rear dimension of the toner container and a side-to-side dimension of the toner container.

Abstract: A cartridge includes: a casing having a first opening; a storage bag accommodated in the casing and having a second opening; a seal for closing the second opening; a shaft rotatable; and a cap for closing the first opening. Toner is configured to be replenished through the first opening. Toner stored in the storage bag is configured to be discharged into the casing through the second opening. The shaft is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction together with the seal such that the seal closing the second opening is peeled off to open the second opening. The cap is attachable to and detachable from the casing.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a blade moving mechanism that can inhibit a blade from moving from a retracted position to a contact position even when an external force is exerted. The image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member that bears a developer image, a transfer belt to which the developer image is transferred, the blade that comes into contact with the transfer belt to collect a developer, a rotating member that rotates to act on the blade and move the blade between the contact position, where the blade contacts the transfer belt, and the retracted position, where the blade is away from the transfer belt, and a regulating member that regulates movement of the blade, which has moved from the contact position to the retracted position, from the retracted position to the contact position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable photosensitive member, a charging member, a developing member, a transfer member, a voltage applying portion, and a controller. The controller is capable of changing a trailing end voltage to a first trailing end voltage lower than a transfer voltage applied to the transfer member by the voltage applying portion when a toner image is transferred from the photosensitive member to a recording material and to a second trailing end voltage higher than the first trailing end voltage. In an image forming operation after rotation of the photosensitive member is stopped in a state in which the image forming operation is not completed, the controller carries out control so that the second trailing end voltage is applied when a trailing end of the recording material with respect to a feeding direction passes through a transfer portion.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a first heater, a second heater, and circuitry. The first heater heats a region on the fixing rotator to heat a recording medium having a width smaller than a predetermined width. The second heater heats a region on the fixing rotator to heat a maximum recording medium used in the fixing device. The second heater has a heat generation distribution in which a heat generation amount of each of both end portions corresponding to both end portions of the maximum recording medium in a width direction of the recording medium is larger than a heat generation amount of a center portion. The circuitry determines whether to turn on the first heater and turn off the second heater or to turn on both the first heater and the second heater based on a required power to bring the fixing rotator to a fixing temperature.

Abstract: An example fixing unit includes a flexible fixing belt, a backup member located outside the fixing belt to form a fixing nip, and a plate heater in contact with the fixing belt to heat the fixing belt in the fixing nip, wherein the fixing belt includes a first abrasion prevention layer disposed on a surface facing the plate heater and including polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and the plate heater includes a second abrasion prevention layer in contact with the first abrasion prevention layer and including glass.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drive that is driven by alternating current (AC) power; a detector that detects input of direct current (DC) power to the drive; and a shutoff member that shuts off power supply to the drive based on a detection result by the detector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charging member, an exposing unit to expose a surface of the photosensitive member, and a developing member to supply toner with normal polarity at a developing portion. A controller, during a non-image formation when a toner image is not formed on a surface of the photosensitive member, controls such that a developing voltage is changed in a predetermined voltage width by applying a first developing voltage while the area of the photosensitive member on which a first surface potential is formed passes through the developing portion and by applying a second developing potential of an opposite polarity side rather than the first developing voltage while the area of the photosensitive member on which a second surface potential is formed passes through the developing portion, and the controller controls such that the surface potential becomes a side of the normal polarity rather than the first developing voltage.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, a varnish applying apparatus, an input unit, a first image processing unit, and a second image processing unit. The image forming apparatus forms a toner image on a recording material on the basis of image data obtained by subjecting first image data to data change processing. The varnish applying apparatus forms a varnish image on the recording material on the basis of image data obtained by subjecting second image data to the data change processing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body having a body frame, an image bearing member, a belt unit including a belt, and a stretching member configured to stretch the belt, the belt unit being pivotable around a first pivot axis between a first position and a second position, a transfer unit, and a detection unit movably supported by the body frame. The detection unit is configured to pivot around a second pivot axis different from the first pivot axis with respect to the body frame so as not to hinder pivoting of the belt unit in conjunction with a pivoting operation in which the belt unit pivots from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which forms an image by using toner from a toner container mounted thereto. Consumption data is acquired, related to a toner consumption amount of the image forming apparatus, and based on the consumption data there is a determination of the number of remaining days until a predicted date in which a replacement of the toner container mounted onto the image forming apparatus is predicted. The number of the remaining days is displayed; however, the number of the remaining days is not displayed until a condition is satisfied related to the number of sheets on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus, wherein the condition is satisfied in a case where the number of sheets on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus is more than a predetermined number of sheets.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an accommodating portion, an image forming unit, a skew correcting portion, a conveyance unit, a detection unit, a re-conveyance unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls the re-conveyance unit such that the re-conveyance unit stops a sheet in the second conveyance path temporarily and starts to convey the sheet at a first timing after a second timing and before a third timing, where the second timing is a timing such that if the sheet is started to convey to the first conveyance path at the second timing, the conveyance unit decelerates the conveyance speed when the sheet reaches to the detection unit, and the third timing is a timing such that if the sheet is started to convey to the first conveyance path at the third timing, the conveyance unit decelerates the conveyance speed when the sheet reaches to the skew correcting portion.

Abstract: A cleaning rod includes a rod-like member, a slidable portion which is provided on a free end side of the rod-like member with respect to a direction in which the cleaning rod is inserted and which is slidable on a light emergent surface of a lens of an image forming apparatus, and a restricting portion configured to restrict movement of the slidable portion in a direction away from the light emergent surface with respect to an optical axis direction by contacting the holder at each of free ends of opposing wall portions of a holder of the image forming apparatus from a side opposite from a side where a photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus is provided with respect to the optical axis direction in a state in which the slidable portion contacts the light emergent surface.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes a feeding module, an image forming module, and a fixing module. The feeding module feeds a recording material. The image forming module includes a photosensitive drum and forms a developer image on the recording material fed to the image forming module by the feeding module. The fixing module fixes the developer image formed by the image forming module to the recording material. The image forming module includes a scanner frame that supports an exposure unit configured to expose the photosensitive drum. The feeding module is installed on the scanner frame.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge detachably mountable to a receiving device, the toner cartridge comprising a container including a accommodating portion for accommodating the toner and a discharge opening for discharging the toner from the accommodating portion into the receiving device; and an open/close member including a closing portion for closing the discharge opening and an engaging portion movable relative to the closing portion, the open/close member being rotatable relative to the container between (a) an opening position for causing the closing portion to open the discharge opening and (b) a closing position for causing the closing portion to close the discharge opening, wherein the engaging portion is movable relative to the closing portion between (c) a engaging position for engagement with the receiving device to receive a force for moving the open/close member from the opening position to the closing position when the toner cartridge is d

Abstract: A cartridge is used, which has a receptacle with a replenishment port from which a developer is replenished and which is configured to receive the developer replenished from the replenishment port. The receptacle has a transport region that is located lower than the replenishment port in the direction of gravity, where the received developer is transported in a transport direction. The receptacle is provided with a first filter and a second filter downstream and upstream of the replenishment port respectively in the transport direction. The first filter and second filter restrict passage of the developer while allowing passage of air. The first filter or the second filter is located higher than the transport region in the direction of gravity.

Abstract: A drum cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main frame of an image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum frame; and a drum contact. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction. A toner cartridge including a storage medium having an electrical contact surface is attachable to and detachable from the drum frame. In a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the drum frame, the drum contact is movable in the first direction between: a separated position in which the drum contact is positioned away from the electrical contact surface; and a contacting position in which the drum contact is in contact with the electrical contact surface. The drum contact moves from the separated position to the contacting position in accordance with attachment of the drum cartridge to the main frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including a detachable unit having a rotator with a driven shaft coupling and a drive unit having a drive shaft coupling to engage with the driven shaft coupling and providing a force to the rotator via the drive shaft coupling. The driven shaft coupling includes spiral first and second receiving surfaces. The drive side shaft coupling includes a spiral first transmitting surface, which contacts the first receiving surface and provides a rotational force in a first rotational direction to the driven shaft coupling, and a spiral second transmitting surface, which contacts the second receiving surface and provides a force in the second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction to the driven shaft coupling when the drive shaft coupling rotates in the second rotating direction. The second transmitting and receiving surfaces are rougher than the first transmitting and receiving surfaces.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes: a toner casing configured to accommodate toner therein; a toner memory; a memory holder holding the toner memory; a memory holder cover; a gear positioned at an outer surface of the toner casing; and a gear cover. The memory holder cover movably holds the memory holder. The memory holder cover has a pawl. The gear cover is positioned at one end portion of the toner casing at one side in a first direction. The gear cover covers at least a part of the gear and has a hook in which the pawl is inserted.

Abstract: A toner for electrostatic charge image development has toner particles containing a binder resin including 90 mass % or more of an amorphous resin. In a differential molecular weight distribution curve of tetrahydrofuran soluble matter as measured by gel permeation chromatography, the toner has a maximum peak Ma in a molecular weight range of 2,500 or more and 8,000 or less, a minimum value Mm in a molecular weight range of more than 8,000 and less than 280,000, and a maximum peak Mb in a molecular weight range of 280,000 or more and 900,000 or less. When the area of the differential molecular weight distribution curve in a range of a molecular weight of 100 or more and less than the minimum value Mm is defined as A, and the area of the differential molecular weight distribution curve in a range of the minimum value Mm or more and a molecular weight of 10,000,000 or less is defined as B, the area ratio A/B is 5.5 or more and 10 or less.

Abstract: A magnetic carrier including a magnetic core and a coating resin configured to coat the surface of the magnetic core. The coating resin contains a graft resin A and a graft resin B. The coating resin (i) contains 1.0 mass % or more and 50.0 mass % or less of the graft resin A, and (ii) contains 50.0 mass % or more and 99.0 mass % or less of the graft resin B. The graft resin A has a unit Y1 represented by formula (1) and a unit Y2 represented by formula (2). The graft resin B (i) is a comb-shaped polymer having, as a branch, at least one moiety selected from, for example, a styrene-based polymer moiety and a (meth)acrylate-based polymer moiety, and (ii) contains the polysiloxane structure moiety at a content of 0.1 mass % or less.

Abstract: In various embodiments a module for generating an interference pattern for producing a digital holographic image is provided.

Abstract: A spatial modulator is provided on a plane conjugate to a sample plane on which a sample is to be placed. The spatial modulator spatially modulates illumination light irradiated to the sample 2 or object light that has passed through or that has been reflected by the sample. A dark-field optical system removes the non-scattered light component of the first object light affected by the spatial light modulator so as to generate second object light. An image sensor records a hologram based on the second object light. A calculation processing apparatus combines complex amplitude information based on the modulation pattern supplied to the spatial light modulator and complex amplitude information based on the hologram with respect to the second object light so as to acquire a phase distribution originating from the sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tourbillon for a horology movement including a cage rotatably mounted on the horology movement, the cage bearing a regulating organ including a balance including a balance pivot pivotally mounted in balance bearings about a balance axis with an anchor including an anchor pivot pivotally mounted in anchor bearings about an anchor axis and arranged to cooperate both with the regulating organ and also with an escapement wheel including an escapement pivot pivotally mounted in escapement bearings about an escapement axis. The anchor and the escapement wheel are positioned relative to the balance so the distance between the anchor axis and the balance axis and the distance between the escapement axis and the balance axis are greater than the outer radius of the balance. Also disclosed is a movement including such a tourbillon as well as to a timepiece including such a movement.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic timepiece including: an antenna configured to receive a standard radio wave, a pointer, a motor configured to drive the pointer, a circuit board having a front surface mounted with a semiconductor device including an active region, and a magnetic shield plate disposed at a back surface side of the circuit board, the magnetic shield plate having a shape that overlaps at least a portion of the motor and does not overlap the active region of the semiconductor device in plan view as viewed in a direction orthogonal to the front surface of the circuit board.

Abstract: One or more systems, computer-implemented methods and/or computer program products to facilitate a process to monitor and/or facilitate a modification to a manufacturing process. A system can comprise a memory that stores computer executable components and a processor that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory. The computer executable components can comprise an initialization component that identifies values of inflow data of one or more inflows of a set of inflows to a manufacturing process as control variables, and a computation optimization component that optimizes one or more intermediate flows, outflows or flow qualities of the manufacturing process using, for mode-specific regression models, decision variables that are based on a set of joint-levels of the control variables. An operation mode determination component can determine operation modes of the manufacturing process that are together defined by a set of joint-levels of the control variables.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes formulating an optimization problem to determine a plurality of model parameters of a system to be modeled. The method also includes solving the optimization problem to define an empirical model of the system. The method further includes training the empirical model using training data. The empirical model is constrained via general constraints relating to first-principles information and process knowledge of the system.

Abstract: A building management system is provided. The building management system uses a ventilation system to exchange air within a room in the building. A controller uses a sensor to determine a property about the room and operates the ventilation system in response thereto. The controller also operates an indicator to provide the users with the status of the room.

Abstract: A site monitoring system (SMS) may analyze information from one or more sites to determine when a device, a sensor, a controller, or other structure or component associated with a network of optically switchable devices has a problem. The system may, if appropriate, act on the problem. In certain embodiments, the system learns customer/user preferences and adapts its control logic to meet the customer's goals. In various embodiments, the system updates a memory component associated with one or more optically switchable windows and/or controllers. The memory component may be updated to reflect an updated control algorithm and/or associated parameters in some cases.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology generally relate to industrial automation environments. More specifically, embodiments include systems and methods to train machine learning systems to perform autonomous control in an industrial automation environment. In some examples, a data aggregation component receives operational data from Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) devices, identifies a device type for the operational data, and transfers the operational data for the device type to a machine learning interface component. The operational data characterizes the operations of the OEM devices. The interface component receives the operational data for the device type and generates feature vectors based on the operational data configured for ingestion by a machine learning model. The interface component transfers the feature vectors to a machine learning model.