* This project is implemented as ACCEL in the JST-MIRAI R&D Program.

Brochure PDF

Research Director

Koichiro Tanaka

(Professor, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University)

1990　Dr. of Science, Kyoto University
1990　Research Associate, Institute for solid state physics, The University of Tokyo
1995　Researcher (Group Leader), Hirao-Active-Glass Project (ERATO, JST)
1997　Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Kyoto University
2004　Professor, Department of Physics, Kyoto University
2008-present　Adjunct PI,Professor, iCeMS, Kyoto University
2014-present　Professor, Department of Physics, Kyoto University

Program Manager

Ryoichi Fukasawa

(ACCEL Program Manager, Japan Science and Technology Agency)

1989　Ph.D. in Physics, Niigata University
1989　Japan Spectroscopic Corporation
1993　Researcher, Department of Physics, Emory University
1995　Researcher, Communications Research Laboratory, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications
1998　Tochigi Nikon Corporation
2004　Established Spectra Design Ltd.
2008　President, Spectra Design Ltd.
2017　ACCEL Program Manager, JST

Outline of R&D Project

In our CREST project, we achieved in 2011 a record electric field intensity in the terahertz (THz) region¹⁾, as large as 1 MV/cm, and opened up the field of terahertz nonlinear optics. In addition, we realized a high-speed (video rate²⁾) THz microscope system with a spatial resolution of 1/30 of the wavelength and successfully observed living cells with high resolution in real time. Subsequently, we expanded our research field toward a THz imaging system based on the semiconductor terahertz technology. Through these development activities, we have established the guideline for the proof of concept (POC) in the ACCEL project.
In our ACCEL project, we will improve the output power of semiconductor-based THz emitters and the sensitivity of semiconductor-based THz detectors. By arraying and modularizing THz emitters and detectors, we will construct a basic THz imaging system including optics, control system, and analysis software. The system will facilitate the development of a THz body scanner for security inspection and a THz non-destructive inspection equipment for industrial production, both of which are expected to become important steps in the realization of a safe and secure society.

1） Terahertz region
Frequency band of light wave between 300 GHz (GHz = 10⁹ Hz) and 3 THz (THz = 10¹² Hz), which corresponds to 1 mm and 100 µm in wavelength.

2） Video-rate
Frame rate of the conventional video system ranging from 20 Hz to 50 Hz which is valuable for real-time observation.