▎ 摘　　要

NOVELTY - The thin film heater (125) has a thin film which uses a carbon nanotube or the graphene as a conductor, and a metal foil electrode that are laminated as a heat source. The ratio of an area of a total area/thin film of a metal foil electrode of a total area of the thin film with respect to the area of the thin film in a lamination surface and the metal foil electrode that is contacting exceeds 0.2, and is 2.0 or less. The metal foil electrode is laminated so that both surfaces of the thin film which used the carbon nanotube or the graphene as the conductor are provided. USE - Thin film heater of fixing apparatus for image forming apparatus (all claimed). ADVANTAGE - The thin film heater is excellent in the short warm-up property and safety. The friction which generates in the case of sliding with upper surface of the heating element and the internal peripheral surface of the fixing belt is reduced, and degradation of the heating element and the fixing belt is suppressed. The resin film maintains durability of the heating element for a long period of time, without degrading with the heat which generates from the thin film heater. The abrasion of the thin film heater and the generation of a failure resulting from a contact with the fixing belt and another element is suppressed. The image forming apparatus is excellent in the short warm-up property and space-saving property. The heat generation efficiency is improved and the short warm-up performance is improved. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a fixing apparatus. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a cross-sectional view of the fixing apparatus. Fixing apparatus (8) Fixing belt unit (10) Pressure roller (20) Control unit (50) Thin film heater (125)