While developing innovative nanoscale imaging techniques, we are exploring and elucidating the unique physical and chemical phenomena that occur in nanomaterials. Specifically, using photo-induced force microscopy to image the induced polarization patterns of electronic transitions in molecules, we are pursuing research to understand the nature of the interaction between light and matter. In addition, we are exploring and elucidating novel catalytic reactions occurring on solid surfaces. Furthermore, we are developing techniques to visualize and analyze scattering centers and interfacial charges at semiconductor interfaces with nanometer spatial resolution, which is indispensable for the development of low power consumption and ultrafast bias.
Nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene, have attracted considerable attention because of their unique and practically useful physical properties completely different from “bulk” materials. Our laboratory promotes the research to create novel functionalities from the nanomaterials by manipulating their structures and to apply them to future nanoelectronics. Our fabrication processes utilize originally designed apparatus such as multi-temperature zone CVD and solar furnace for ultrahigh temperature process, and are constructed by combination of top-down and self-organized bottom-up approaches, based on fundamental understanding of atomic processes on surfaces.
It is interesting to see nanoscale objects with light. Because the light directly interact with objects, it is possible to obtain rich information about molecular components in objects. Our group has been developing a spectroscopic technique with nanoscale spatial resolution. By combining plasmonics or near-field effect with some spectroscopic methods such as Raman scattering or photoluminescence, we can see nano-world with the visible light.
Fujita group studies light-molecule/light-ion/light-atom interaction and explore nanophotonics to visualize and manipulate the nanoscale world. The nanophotonics technologies are expanded to create brand-new technologies for imaging, sensing and devices used in material and biomedical researches.
Our research interest is to investigate the unique and exotic physical phenomena of nanometer scale materials, which are formed on solid surface and do not exist in nature, and to open a new avenue toward the realization of next generation devices with high efficiency. In addition to the on-campus equipment that we have developed, we are actively conducting research at different facilities, e.g., synchrotron radiation facilities, located all over the world.
Our laboratory aims to realize innovative nanophotonic devices through basic research based on plasmonics and/or metamaterials. In metamaterials, we are conducting research on metasurfaces, which are two-dimensional metamaterials. This is an array of metal nanostructures and/or high-refractive-index dielectrics as Mie resonators arranged on a planar substrate. By controlling the scattering and absorption of meta-atoms, we have succeeded in realizing various functions such as color printing showing a diffraction limit resolution, perfect absorber and infrared emitter. At plasmonics, we are researching plasmonic waveguides and hyperbolic metamaterials. In this way, we aim to realize an ultra-fine and low power consumption photonic device that was considered impossible in principle due to the diffraction limit. In addition, by applying the metasurface-based perfect absorber to a thermal radiation filament, we have realized a prototype of a high-efficiency eco-light bulb that controls blackbody radiation.
We are exploring novel materials and biological functions by using adavanced optical manipulation and measurement techniques.
1) Production of highly ordered organic and biological matters by using laser:
By utilizing physical stimuli of lasers (e.g., heat, electric field, etc) that enable us to control assembly and allighment of micro- and nano objects, we are trying to create innovative materials (electronic devices, pharmaceuticals, artificial cells, etc.) with desired structures and functions that cannot be produced by conventional methodologies alone.
2) Elucidation of unique structures and functions of soft matter:
We are investigating unique structures and functions of soft matter such as biological membranes, gels, and cellular tissue (organoids) by using non-invasive optical measurement techniques that do not disturb weak attractive and/or repulsive forces in the system.
Advanced Engineering Physics Area (Ono Lab.) focuses on developing advanced advanced measurement and analysis techniques using quantum beams such as X-rays and neutrons, in combination with informatics technology. Our projects include X-ray microscopy for multi-scale characterization, machine learning-aided data analysis, laboratory automation, and AI optimization of experimental parameters.
Advanced Electron Microscope Engineering Area
We develop new measurement technology on transmission electron microscope (TEM) and develop leading equipment based on new concepts, and analyze the structure, composition, and electronic state of local regions of various materials from biotechnology to inorganic materials. In addition, we are conducting research and education to clarify the reactive element process on the surface and interface and the mechanism of new function expression on the atomic and molecular scale.
To find universality, understand the physical mechanism behind natural phenomena and the emergence of function, we conduct research and education in theoretical condensed matter physics, supported by cutting edge experimental techniques. We focus on dynamical processes and related properties at Surfaces and Interfaces of materials, size and complexity ranging from the nano-scale to biological processes. We also develop novel and practical techniques, whenever the need arises, and pro-actively make the resulting know-how available for immediate industrial implementation.
The semiconductor photocatalyst has the high resolution function for the organic matter, a self-cleaning function and photoexcited hydrophilic function, which carries the important role to various environment purification. However, the reaction mechanism has not been understood completely. We use the scanning probe microscopy (SPM) such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) etc., to investigate the properties of physical and chemical, to explore and elucidate the new physical phenomena such as the photocatalyst process of the photo induced surface carrier on solid surface, liquid-solid interface. This research relates the discovery of the novelty materials with new properties of matter and can develop the catalytic design with the new function, which is different from conventional catalyst. Target one is Au NPs deposited on rutile TiO2(110) surface under gas condition at low temperature. Target two is Au NPs deposited on anatase TiO2(001) surface at low temperature. Target three is Pd nanoparticles (NPs) deposited on Al2O3/NiAl(110) surface under carbon monoxide gas (CO gas) condition.
We carry out research on nano-biophotonics, a new research field that spans the fields of nanotechnology, biology, and photonics. We develop techniques to observe living cells and biomolecules with an ultra-high spatial-resolution and sensitivity by utilizing nanotechnology, vibrational spectroscopy, and non-linear photonics.
Decision and control are core technologies for realizing desirable behavior of cyber-physical systems such as self-driving cars and optimal operations of transportation systems. Our laboratory studies mathematical theories and algorithms of decision and control as well as their applications to practical problems in our society. Our aim is to establish fundamental methodologies and tools of decision and control via mathematical approaches such as robust optimization, randomized algorithm, and symbolic computation.
Nonlinear mathematical models often arise in describing real-world phenomena in various research fields including engineering systems, information systems, and biological systems. Our laboratory studies mathematical models of various real-world phenomena, aiming at understanding nonlinear dynamics underling real-world phenomena, developing methods for analyzing nonlinear mathematical models, and applying nonlinear dynamics to engineering and information systems.
In contrast to natural science unraveling the principles and the laws of the nature, science and technologies treating man-made artificial systems become important. Information science is nothing but the key academic field and various approaches are advancing. Aiming at fusion of natual and information sciences, this laboratory proceeds research and education focussing on “Information Photonics”, which is an information technology based on optics and photonics.
In the system Engineering Laboratory, we are conducting educational research on systematization and its applications by mathematical science approaches such as mathematical programming, statistical methods and discrete mathematics, combination optimization, and artificial intelligence. We aim to cultivate systematization technology through research on production activities in companies, modeling of social and natural phenomena, system analysis based on uncertainty science, and multi-standard data analysis methods for system evaluation.
In our laboratory, we study science that fuses the basic science and advanced technologies required to precisely control the molecular structure, electronic state, and physical properties of various organic materials and to apply these technologies to realizing flexible electronics and photonics. The goals of our laboratory are to study various topics from theories based on basic science, including mathematics and physics, to systems that contribute to society.
As Information Technology spreads out, people are now beginning to feel stressed, and tend to be disturbed by flood of information such as spam mails. Since these are due to lack of flexibility of current computer systems and their interfaces, we propose to develop an adaptive computer that learns from its environment. Psychological experiments and advanced machine learning technologies enable us to develop a highly adaptive user-friendly interface to information systems.
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