This Research Area is designated for studies that look into the action of photons on condensed matter, composed of organic, inorganic, biological, and their combinations (solids, thin films, molecular assemblies, liquid crystals, gels, etc.) from new and multiple view angles with the focus points of "extracting out photonic functions from materials", "elucidating the nature of materials using photons" and "creating functional materials using photons".
More specifically, studies subject to this Area are those of chemistry and physics that relate to various interactions between the electronic states that are specific to materials and photons. The Area also includes studies for: creating photonic and electronic functional materials that lead to innovative future photonics and electronics technologies; exploring the principles of and establishing basic technology for photonic and electronic devices; pioneering technologies to utilize biological materials; synthesizing ultra-pure materials and measurement of their physical properties; and pursuing stability and reliability of materials in their practical usage for the purpose of device application.

Soft materials, such as organic, inorganic and biological materials are governed by binding energy of several milli-electron volts to several electron volts. They give a variety of aggregate states with a hierarchy extending from a single molecule to molecular assemblies of various types, enzymes, biomembranes, etc. Photons from ultraviolet to infrared wavelengths, on the other hand, which have exactly the same energy range, interact with such materials. A great variety of phenomena are thus observed and plenty of functions are expected to be extracted. Basic understanding of such phenomena concerning photons and soft materials, and development of their functions will engender innovative photonics and electronics technologies, which constitute a part of environmentally friendly science and technology of the 21st century.
The examples for the interactions between the electronic states that are specific to materials and photons can be, photochemical reactions, photo-induced electron transfer, photonic to electric conversion, generation, detection and modulation of photons, and structural formation and morphological changes stimulated by photons. To make tight links of such rich phenomena to the development of photonics and electronics technologies, insightful understanding of structure and physical properties of materials and consequential phenomena is indispensable. Furthermore, system simplicity, stability and high efficiency of the focused functions cannot be overlooked, when their practical applications is premised.
This Area seeks studies based on creative ideas of individuals that have not been explored in the past, which are led by young researchers from many different fields. Especially proposals presenting basic and insightful studies that will contribute to future development of photon-related science and technology are welcome. .Superficially .new ideas based on spontaneous gleam may not be evaluated highly. We also very much hope that complementary partnerships among diverse specialists, such as between chemists and physicists, between researchers specialized in material preparations and those specialized in structure-physical properties, between material scientists and device physicists, will be brought up within the researchers in this Area.