Masahiro Ishii

 Governor of Okayama Prefecture

  Quantum physics, an area of physics that attempts to elucidate the nature of light, is expected to play a vital role in 21st century technology, and as one of the key sciences of advanced technology (e.g. nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology), its progress is highly anticipated.
  Focusing on “light quanta” which hold a key to advanced technology, we have established the Okayama Institute for Quantum Physics. Our purpose is to develop a global research center that is dedicated to theoretical research through active approaches at the local level. Moreover, we believe that this institute will play a central role in establishing the foundation for new developments in our prefecture's technology through improvements in advanced technologies, training of young personnel, and creation of new industries and businesses.
 Masao Ninomiya, Ph.D.

 Director of Okayama Institute for Quantum Physics

 Quantum optical science is one of the core areas of advanced technologies, and many of many empirical approaches for its development have been undertaken. Technologies that utilize the features of light are already widely used in industrial, environmental, and health care applications. However, basic theories regarding the nature of light and its behavior, and a comprehensive approach to this issue is yet to taken in our country.
 At our institute, we hope to make the best possible use of the creativeness of our junior researchers and promote theoretical research that will lead to practical use. We also hope to contribute to new developments in our nation's technology through networking with industry and institutes both domestic and foreign.
Quantum physics is the new academic field to help industries and our social life developed through researching various characteristics of light before the fruits are introduced into widespread fields such as industry, medical, and research of space or marine.

For example:
* Utilizing the light device that takes more than 1,000 pictures per second enable to create a robot with out-human limbs.
* By pulsed laser irradiation, a water insoluble medicine will dissolve in water and be facilitated the absorption.
* Clarifying the mechanism of photocatalyst’s reactive acceleration help create a new photocatalyst, and it can be used to measures against automobile exhaust gas.
* Pulse flashing less than trillionth will be used to remove very small tumor not excised by a scalpel or laser. (laser of nonthermal processing)
* There is the possibility to discover chemical reaction pathway with no hazardous substance by means of using light for nylon synthesis, or using laser light to make new material from oil.
 The Neils Bohr Institute in Denmark was established in 1921 to support Neils Bohr’s research. In 1922, Bohr won the Nobel prize for his work with quantum theory throughout the research of light characteristic.

 When Dr. Yoshio Nishina, born in Okayama, was in Copenhagen of Denmark for studying from 1923 to 1928, he was highly influenced by Neils Bohr. During the stay in Copenhagen, Nishina discovered “Klein – Nishina formula”, the epoch-making formula which led the quantum physics study at the time.

 Coming back from Denmark, Nishina sought to disseminate the quantum physics. On May 1931, at the Kyoto University, he lectured Hideki Yukawa and Shinichirou Tomonaga – they received the Nobel prize, too.
Our aim is to establish a foundation of science centered at the Okayama Institite for Quantum Physics and to thereby contribute to the development of our society. We also hope to promote new developments in our prefecture's technology, train young personnel,and stimulate the nation's industries through creating and inviting businesses associated with the light quantum.