About RAP

Walking the scientific path with light

　─ Drawing out the full potential of light

 
Director, RAP: Koichiro Tanaka

The Old Testament passage “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” and the story of the existence of “light,” which is thought to have been inseparable from matter at the beginning of the Big Bang universe, have been going around and around in my head and heart. I have come to the thrilling conclusion that the root of nature always involves an as yet unknown essence of light. This is a completely unscientific statement, but I have a feeling that the allure of “light” felt by all people originates from such a thought.

Light has undoubtedly been our most familiar means of observation and exploration in the development of science. Observations of the distant universe through telescopes and explorations of bacteria through microscopes have contributed to the development of astronomy and medicine. The light-quantum hypothesis proposed by Einstein in 1905 led to the understanding of light as a quantum “photon.” This has led to the current development of quantum physics and has laid the foundations of modern society. The laser, invented around 1960, advanced the technology to measure frequency and time with ultra-precision, defining time by the technology of light. The development of lasers capable of emitting pulses with very short intervals of femtoseconds (10^-15 s) and attoseconds (10^-18 s) has also contributed significantly to the development of physics. These pulses allow for precise prediction of the dynamic movement of electrons in atoms and molecules. Photonics research will continue to maximize the various potentials of light, making it an indispensable research area for the development of science as a whole.

The Research Centre for Advanced Photonics (RAP) is on the cutting-edge of scientific discovery, pioneering new frontiers in various fields with its groundbreaking research in photonics. We’re thrilled to announce our new motto, “Edge Photonics,” which beautifully captures the essence of our pioneering spirit. The word “edge” symbolizes our innovative approach, with its triple meaning: cutting-edge photonics, photonics at the edge (boundary area), and photonics at the network edge. In the cutting-edge photonics, we are at the forefront of ultra-precise optical lattice clocks and developing materials science research using attosecond lasers. The development of quantum electronics in the terahertz range is also a promising area of research in the future. Photonics in the boundary research area provides new means of observation and analysis necessary for solving fundamental problems in the life sciences and the universe. In the field of photonics at the network edge, we are exploring the potential of artificial intelligence (AI)-based photonics, which is a highly advanced area that connects the digital and physical worlds.

At RAP, we endeavor to explore the potential of new photonics technologies to contribute to society beyond the realm of basic research, including the development of practical devices. This commitment is reflected in the word “engineering” included in the center’s name in Japanese. In looking back at the past, we can see that the steam engine of the 19th century and electronics technology of the 20th century each brought about major changes in society. We recognize the immense potential of light and humbly believe photonics technologies have the potential to make a significant contribution to society in the 21st century, much like the steam engine and electronics did in the past. We recognize the importance of developing human resources to expand the field of photonics research.  By collaborating with universities, we aim to enhance the center’s operations and create opportunities for the exchange of ideas and career development for young researchers. We hope to share our enthusiasm for the advancement of optical science and contribute to the creation of a new era of light in the future.

MissionsNew light for new science and technology.

OrganizationRIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics is composed of Four groups.

PublicationsPamphlets and other publications in PDF are available here.