Principle Investigators, Research Themes

Shinichiro Iwai
Tohoku University, Professor
Website of the lab

Photo-induced phase transition is the most dramatic and complicated phenomenon related to interaction between light and solid-phase materials. In this study, we attempt to elucidate the primary dynamics of photo-induced phase transition using ultrashort pulses with a time scale of several periods of the carrier oscillation of electric field of visible light (<10 fs), infrared (ca. 10 fs), and terahertz (ca. 1 ps) regions. Elementary dynamics of charge, spin, and lattice that are driven by the light are clarified. Ultrafast control of the electronic properties of the highly correlated system, which can be achieved using ultrashort light pulses, will indicate the directions of the development of new light sources.

Shunichi Sato
Tohoku University, Professor
Website of the lab

Vector beams, which can be generated only by simultaneous and precise control of polarization, phase and intensity distributions, are one of the state-of-the-art laser beams. Our goal is to exploit a new field of optical science by systematic investigation of behavior of light around a focal region, where innovative and functional features of the vector beams dominantly manifest. In addition, the development of unprecedented super-resolution optical microscopy, which enables nano-imaging in the far field, is propelled by performing interdisciplinary research with material and life sciences.

Shik Shin
The University of Tokyo, Professor
Website of the lab

The advent of fiber laser will make new solid state science in soft X-ray region that can not be studied by the conventional laser. We will develop new materials science by laser photoemission with ultra-high energy resolution, ultra-fast time resolution, and ultra-high space resolution.

Toshinori Suzuki
Kyoto University, Professor
Website of the lab

Ultrafast electron dynamics in chemical reaction is invesitgated by time-resolved photoelectron imaging spectroscopy using a novel VUV and deep UV filamentation light source, Experimental results are compared with ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate reaction mechanism of complex molecular systems.

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Yoshiro Takahashi
Kyoto University, Professor
Website of the lab

We develop ultrastable lasers with the linewidths of a few Hertz and even sub-Hertz. Through the application of such lasers to laser-cooled two-electron atoms in an optical lattice, we establish novel quantum manipulation and measurement technique for a single atom in an optical lattice by exploiting an optical magnetic resonance imaging method as well as a novel quantum measurement scheme utilizing a spin-squeezing technique. With these innovations we will realize a proto-type of optical lattice quantum computer and an optical lattice clock with increased precision.

Transportation of viral RNP in nucleus and manipulation of chromosome using optical tweezers: Challenge to remove viral genome from host cell nucleus

Ayae Honda
Hosei University, Professor

After influenza virus infection, the viral genome RNA-viral RNA polymerase-NP complex (vRNP) is transported into nucleus, where transcription and replication of the viral genome takes place. Using the fluorescein-labelled virus, vRNP and the optical tweezers, we will perform: i) virus infection on to a signle cell for monitoring single virus growth; ii) transportation of vRNP in nucleus; and iii) measurement of the power for vRNP transportation. Our research will be extended for development of a novel optical tweezers system to be used for manipulation of the chromosome and for removal of the viral genome from infected cell nuclei.