Enhancing Applications of Innovative Optical Science and Technologies by making Ultimate Use of Advanced Light Sources

Outline

The present research area aims at accelerating collaboration and fusion of potential research and development (R&D) capacities related to light utilization science and optical technologies that currently are individually investigated in different fields such as substances and materials; processing and measurement; information and communication; environment and energy; and life sciences, so as to build up foundations for creation of a innovative new stream for “relation of materials to photons” in the field of optical science and technology.

At present, various types of advanced light sources represented by high performance, state-of-the-art lasers are widely available, leading to rapidly increasing numbers and extent of research projects performed for investigation of their usage. However, since the advanced light sources are placed into black boxes, these light sources are not always utilized to the extent of their maximum potential. Taking these circumstances into account, the present research area promotes distinguished research regarding “relation of materials to photons” in which characteristics of light sources are extremely utilized.

Furthermore, this research area covers leading research that will enable achievement of breakthroughs in the field of light utilization science and technology, and also includes objective-oriented basic research in a wide range of fields such as life sciences and environmental and energy. It should be noted that this research area puts special importance on seeds that will create research aimed at fusion of advanced optical science and optical technology as well as at creation of a novel stream, e.g. by showing truly effective methods of making extreme use of state-of-the-art light sources such as lasers. In these research projects, analyses of events or identification of principles do not mean the end of the research, but instead how these technologies can be put to practical use will always be taken into account. The present research area does not aim at the world record of the light source performance itself but includes research that identifies any relevant and advanced need regarding the light source required for research processes and provides feedback on such needs to the light source development research, contributing to practical advancement of optical utilization science and optical technology fields.

Strategic Sector

Enhancing Advanced Materials Science and Life Science Toward Innovations using New Light Sources, Including State-Of-The-Art Laser Technology

Research Projects

Research Area Website

http://www.laser.jst.go.jp/en/