The 23rd (2023) Yamazaki-Teiichi Prize Winner Measurement Science and Technology
Development of a method for ultrafast structural observation and its application to explore optically functional materials
| Winner | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shin-ya Koshihara Professor, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technolgy |
| Winner | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shin-ichi Adachi Executive Director, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) |
| Winner | ||
|---|---|---|
| Masaki Hada Associate Professor, Tsukuba Research Center for Energy Materials Science (TREMS), Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba |
Reason for award
Dr. Koshihara et al. have pioneered the concept of photoinduced phase transition materials, which undergo structural changes mediated by photoinduced cooperative interactions, and the exploration of such materials, developing various ultrafast structural observation methods and devices utilizing a variety of beam sources as measurement means and achieving original and internationally outstanding results.
In the process of developing an innovative structural observation method that uses laser light as the pump and synchrotron radiation as the probe, they have successfully installed a 100-picosecond structural observation device at a dedicated beamline of KEK-PF, following a prototype demonstration at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). This method has led to the installation of similar devices at beamlines of SPring-8, SACLA, and other synchrotron radiation facilities worldwide, creating a significant ripple effect on the practical use and dissemination of structural measurement technology. Furthermore, to achieve equipment that can handle even faster pulses, they have successfully developed 75-femtosecond electron pulse generation technology and applied it to structural observation devices. Using these structural observation devices, they have demonstrated ahead of the world that hidden material phases (hidden states) appearing in the extremely short time after photoinduction exist in a wide range of materials, contributing to the discovery of photoinduced ferroelectric phenomena and the development of photo-switchable materials, thereby contributing to the development of new fields in science and technology.
In recognition of the above achievements, Dr. Koshihara, Dr. Adachi, and Dr. Hada are awarded the 23rd Yamazaki-Teiichi Prize in the field of Measurement Science and Technology.