Photonics which underpins science and technology and thus industry in 21st century

If we can utilize the interactions between light and substances on a nano scale, it should be possible to shape the new discipline of advanced nanophotonics, which combines physics, chemistry, biology, medical science, and materials and electric engineering together. The fusion with nano technology will open up a new era of photonics research. Meanwhile, recent years remarkable progresses have been seen in materials engineering, photonics, and other scientific research fields in East Asian countries.

The goal of this center

The goal of this center of research and education is to launch advanced nanophotonics research ahead of the rest and develop researchers in this pioneering subject. Toward this goal, Osaka University's Photonics Center has teamed up and conducted photonics research exchange with the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, the Research Center for Applied Sciences, Acadamia Sinica, Taiwan and the Centre for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, Singapore, all of which are leading research institutes in their respective countries. A diverse group of researchers engaged in advanced photonics research involving physics, chemistry, medical science and electric engineering will be assembled to promote international joint research among Japan, China, Taiwan and Singapore. A center of advanced nanophotonics research and education in Asia will be formed to create a research network that will then lead to the photonics research that forms basis of the science and technology of the 21st century.

Education and human resource development

At the same time, researchers and students are expected to :
■ Develop in-depth expertise in individual fields, broaden their multidisciplinary views of
photonics, and acquire the capability to share their research findings with the world; and
■ Develop the competency required for research exchange and joint research with a
diverse range of international researchers from various cultural/social backgrounds, along with abilities for networking.
In so doing, this center aims to develop young researchers who are capable of conducting internationally viable, pioneering photonics research for future generations.