Terahertz Sensing and Imaging Research Team

Team Leader

Chiko Otani

D.Sci.

Photo: Chiko Otani

Contact

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Terahertz Sensing and Imaging Research Team,
RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics

519-1399 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0845 Japan

Outline

Terahertz (THz) wave has the unique characteristics such as the transparency to many soft materials and their spectral absorption features. These characteristics can be utilized for many applications in various scientific and industrial fields. In this team, we are developing novel technologies, science and applications in THz sensing, imaging and detection. In particular, we are conducting research and development on the control of molecular structure and function by THz-wave irradiation, high-sensitivity imaging and observations using superconducting detectors as well as the collaborative research and development with companies.

Fields

Interdisciplinary science and engineering, Engineering, Space Science, Chemistry, Physics, Molecular Biology / Genetics, Agricultural Sciences

Keywords

Terahertz science, Terahertz spectroscopy, Terahertz imaging, Terahertz control, Superconducting detector

Subjects

  1. Terahertz control of molecular structures and functions of biological protein
  2. Development of high-sensitivity superconducting detectors for CMB polarization observations
  3. Applications of terahertz sensing and imaging

(Left) Inhibition of cell division by actin protein fibrillation in cells by terahertz- wave irradiation (microscopic image). (Right) VNA spectrum of a thin-film superconducting microwave resonator with a high quality factor (Qi~108).

Selected Publications

  1. De Miguel, J., Hernández-Cabrera, J. F., Hernández-Suárez, E., Joven-Álvarez, E. Otani, C., and Rubiño-Martín, J. A.: “Discovery prospects with the Dark-photons & Axion-Like particles Interferometer”, Physical Review. D 19, 6, 062002 (2024).
  2. Feng, C. H., Otani, C., and Hoshina, H.: “Characterization of Different Types of Crystallization from Cocoa Butter by Using Terahertz Spectroscopy,” Appl. Sci. 14, 35 (2024).
  3. Ikari, T., Sasaki, Y., and Otani, C.: “275-305 GHz FM-CW radar 3D imaging for walk-through security body scanner”, Photonics. 10, 3, 343 (2023).
  4. Yamazaki, S., Ueno, Y., Hosoki, R., Saito, T., Idehara, T., Yamaguchi, Y., Otani, C., Ogawa, Y., Harata, M., and Hoshina, H.: “THz irradiation inhibits cell division by affecting actin dynamics”, PloS One 16. e0248381(2021).
  5. Lee, K., Génova-Santos, R. T., Hazumi, M., Honda, S., Kutsuma, H., Oguri, S., Otani, C., Peel, M. W., Suzuki, J., Tajima, O., Won, E.: “A forecast of the sensitivity on the measurement of the optical depth to reionization with the GroundBIRD experiment”, Astrophys. J. 915, 88 (2021).

Members

Chiko OtaniTeam Leader
Hiromichi HoshinaSenior Scientist
Yoshiaki SasakiTechnical Scientist
Shusaku NakajimaPostdoctoral Researcher
Yuto KameiPostdoctoral Researcher
Javier De Miguel HernandezSpecial Postdoctoral Researcher
Shinsuke UnoSpecial Postdoctoral Researcher
Yuya UenoJunior Research Associate
Ryota ItoJunior Research Associate