Objective of establishment / Our staff

[ Objective of establishment ]

  Japan's optical industry has traditionally held a high rank globally. Approximately 80% of the global digital camera market is occupied by Japanese products, and, as for industrial products, there are only 3 companies that can manufacture the semiconductor exposure apparatus, which is said to be the highest precision machine in human history, and 2 of these are Japanese companies.
  However, with the fast progress of technologies and the entrance of newly developing countries into the market, global competition is becoming more and more severe. It is not easy, even for the Japanese optics industry, to maintain its world-class level without strenuous effort.
  Optics that were once taught in the department of physics in the faculties of science had a direct connection to the optics industry. However, in general, optics studies in universities later began focusing on edge technologies such as quantum optics or nonlinear optics. Therefore, it has been pointed out that there is a gap separating the optics industry and academia.
  In order to fill this gap, the "Nikon Chair of Optical Engineering" was established in the Institute of Industrial Science of the University of Tokyo in November, 2006. This department, focusing on education, teaches geometric optics aberration theory, which has not traditionally been emphasized in universities, as well as lens design classes including laboratory exercises. Other than these, the department provides a broad range of optics education required in the optics industry, including the latest super-resolution optical engineering and image processing techniques for digital cameras.
  Our ultimate purpose is to foster top-class human resources who will lead the next-generation optics industry of Japan through providing optics education that is directly connected to the optics industry.
  Although the department has just begun running, we would like to devote our efforts in order to produce fine results.

[ Our staff ]
	Professor  Kazuo Kuroda
	<<Message>>   I have been working on a textbook, which has been a long-cherished wish, for 10 years. I wonder when it will be completed...
	Project Professor  Hiroshi Oki   Operating Officer General Manager of Research & Development Headquarters Core Technology Center Nikon Corporation
	<<Message>>   Most parts of this website are written by myself. It was a lot of work...
	Researcher  Ken Utagawa   Chief of the Utagawa Laboratory Imaging Company Nikon Corporation
	<<Message>>   A mole that had been hiding in the camera field came out to the university after 30 something years ...
	Researcher  Toshiro Ishiyama   General Manager Optical Design Department Precision Equipment Company Nikon Corporation
	<<Message>>   I have been working in the field of projection lenses for a long time. I hope I can help you experience the joy of lens design.
	Researcher  Tomoyuki Matsuyama   Executive Department Staff　Optical Design Department Precision Equipment Company Nikon Corporation
	<<Message>>   My hobby is fly-fishing, and I am a self-proclaimed angler lens designer.
	Researcher  Yasuhiro Ohmura   Manager 1st Section Optical Design Department Precision Equipment Company Nikon Corporation
	<<Message>> Job: lens designing Hobbies: Fly fishing, tennis, baseball, bird watching, etc. I have many hobbies, but no time!

 Our room

  The Nikon Chair of Optical Engineering is located in the Institute of Industrial Science of the University of Tokyo, on the Komaba Research Campus. The room is on the 5th floor of the An building. The interior of the room is arranged to have a company-like atmosphere.
 

Photo of the room1

Photo of the room2

	View from the room

 Education we provide

  We hold lens designing laboratory exercise classes in a "Zengaku seminar" for all students and the "Advanced Optical Engineering" for postgraduate students each year. Please read the report for 2007.

 Our activities outside of providing education

 Participation in the Hongo campus consortium

 Consortium on Education and Research on Advanced Laser Science was established in the Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo. Eleven companies participate in this program and offer classes centering on laboratory exercises. In 2007, pilot classes were held. Please read the report for 2007.

 Plans for future developments

 Contact