Annual Report 2008

Annual Report 2008

Research Institute of Electrical Communication,Tohoku University

Research Institute of Electrical Communication,Tohoku University

Annual report of Research Institute of Electrical Communication 2008

Contents
1. Preface ................................................................................................................

1

2. Organization ......................................................................................................

3

3. Research activities
Research division
・Information devices division ................................................................

5

・Broadband engineering division .......................................................... 11
・Human information systems division ................................................. 21
・Systems & software division ............................................................... 29
Laboratory and Center・Laboratory for nanoelectoronics and spintoronics ............................. 36
・Laboratory for brainware systems ...................................................... 49
・Research center for 21st century information technology .................. 55
・Management office for safety and health ........................................... 59
・Flexible information system research center ..................................... 60
・Fundamental technology center .......................................................... 61
4. Nation-wide Cooperative research projects ..................................................... 62
5. Symposium ........................................................................................................ 71
6. Study Groups on Electrical Communication .................................................... 75
7. International activities ..................................................................................... 79
8. Periodicals published by the institute .............................................................. 83
9. Staff, Land and Buildings,Budget .................................................................... 85
10.Afterword .......................................................................................................... 87      

2008

Preface1.㩷 Preface
The Research Institute of Electrical Communication (RIEC)㩷 has continued to excel
as the only research institute affiliated with a national university that addresses
information technology since its establishment in 1935. In 1994, our research institutebecame one of the National Centers for Cooperative research, addressing “theory andapplications of intelligent information science and communication technology”. In thelast several decades Information science and communication technology have rapidly
developed and brought about great social changes including globalization ofcommunication and physical distribution.
To meet the needs and demands of a new age, in 2004 we reorganized our instituteinto four research divisions, two research facilities and one research center. Research
center for 21st century information science and technology has been established torealize the rapid commercialization of technologies developed at the institute within a
5years horizon. Two research facilities with 8 research groups working on next
generation technology have been established with a 10 years horizon. The Laboratory
Nanoelectronics and Spintronics, one of the facilities, is carrying out fundamental
research into high-speed semiconductor devices and advanced nano/spin electronics.
The Laboratory for Brainware Systems is working towards a new computing system, inwhich human-being functions are incorporated into information communication
technology. The Four Research Divisions are working on basic research for information
communication with a 20 years horizon. The Information Devices Division carries out
research into materials and devices for communication technology, whilst theBroadband Engineering Division focuses on the development of new technologies forthe transmission and storage of vast quantities of information. The human Information
Systems Division researches into intelligent information processing and the Systems
and Software Division is developing advanced system software for the next generation
information society.
 The organization of theresearch institutes and research centers affiliated withnational universities has been changed from this school year. Originally, the selected
research institutes as a National Center for cooperative research were designed toprovide the opportunities to use their excellent facilities and equipments for the
researchers in Japan. This change of organization of the institutes is aimed to further
activate the cooperative research, so the selected institutes as a COE should meet theneeds and demands of the community of the worldwide researcher. Since 1994 our1      

2008

Prefaceinstitute as a National Centers for Cooperative research has already assumed theleadership in creating new technologies through national and international collaboration
with researchers in the field of information and communication technology. Our
research activities until now might be regarded as an anticipation what this change oforganization will aim at. Though we will continue our current research style for a while,
we have reorganized our institute every ten yeas through the self-rating and theexternal-rating and will make every effort to reform for better contribution.In addition
to research activities, we have a mission to train researchers and engineers tointernationally high standard through close co-operation with the five departments in thefields of electrical communications at Tohoku University’s School of Engineering and
the Graduate School of Information Sciences.
We have published an annual report every year since 1994㩷 summarized our own
activities, and distribute it researchers working in the field of information sciences andtechnology. It is also utilized as self-checking and self-evaluation materials. Please letme hear your frank criticism.              Masafumi YANO,Ph.D.
Director, Research Institute of Electrical Communication.

2      

2008

Organization㩷 Chart

2. Organization䇭Chart
Director

Advisory Council

Information Devices Division

Deputy Director
Research Divisions

Nano-Photoelectronics
Quantum-Optical Information Technology
Solid State Electronics
Dielectric Noano-Devices
Materials Functionality Design
Magnetic Dvices

FacultyCouncilBroadband Engineering Division

Human Information Systems Division

Research Facilities

Software Construction
Computing Information Theory
Communication Network Systems
Information Content
Information Social Structure

Laboratory For
Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

Atomically Controlled Processing
Semiconductor Spintronics
Nano-Molecular Devices
Nano-Spin Memory

Laboratory for Brainware Systems

Real-World ComputingIntelligent Nano-Integration System
Microarchitecture
New Paradigm VLSI System

Research Centor for21st Century Information Technology

Project Planning Division
Technology Development Division:‫ ޓޓޓޓޓޓ‬Mobile WirelessTechnology Group
Storage Technology GroupIntelligence Archive Group

Flexible Information System
Research Center
Fundamental Technology Center

Administration
OfficeElectromagnetic Bioinformation Engineering
Advanced Acoustic Information Systems
Visual Cognition and Systems
Interdisciplinary Field for Informatics
Ubiquitous Communications System
Multimodal Computing

Systems & Software Division

Management Office for Safety and HealthCommon Research
Facilities

Ultrahigh-Speed Optical Communication
Applied Quantum Optics
Wireless Info Tech
Information Storage Systems
Ultra-Broadband Signal Processing
Basic Technology for Broadband Communication

General Affairs GroupAccounting Group

Machine Shop Division
Evaluation Division
Process Division
Software Technology Division
General Affairs Section
Cooperative Research Section
Library Section
Accounting Section
Purchasing Section

33.RESEARCH ACTIVITIES2008 Information Devices Division

Targets and achievements of the Information Devices Division

The main aim of the information devices division is to create new materials and devices fornext generation communication technology.
To accomplish the goals of this division, we have the following 6 sub-divisions withdifferent research fields. Furthermore, we also have a partnership with atomically controlled
processing research section in the Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics.

1. Nano-Photoelectronics
2. Quantum-Optical Information Technology
3. Solid State Electronics
4. Dielectric Nano-Devices
5. Materials Functionality Design
6. Magnetic Devices (Visitor Section)

The target and the summary of achievements of the each sub-division in 2008 are describedin the following pages. In addition, about the summary of achievement of the atomicallycontrolled processing research section will be written in the chapter of the Laboratory for
Nanoelectronics and Spntronics.

5

2008 Information Devices Division
Nanophotoelectronics

Exploring optical and electronic properties of nanometer-sized structures andtheir applications in photoelectronic devices[Research Target and Activities]
Our main interest lies in studying the physical and chemical
STM light emission spectrum
STM tip

phenomena that take place in nanometer-scale regions and theirapplications in photoelectronic devices.

We investigate theTunneling electronmaterial properties of nanostructures through their optical

STM light emission

Surface nano-structure(atom, molecle, quantum dot, etc.)
Spectrometer

responses to the local excitation induced by electrons from the tip

STM light
emissionof a scanning tunneling microscope (STM), as illustrated in Fig.
1.

Some chalcogenide alloys including Ge2Sb2Te5 and Sb2Te3

attractstrongattention

becauseof

theirpotential

Lens

Samplefordata-storage devices with ultra-high capacity. Hence it is highly

Fig. 1 STM light emission

desirable that their optical, thermal, and electronic properties

spectroscopy

are explored and understood with nanometer scale spatial resolution, i.e., the resolution comparable totargeted sizes of devices.
Sb2Te3.

We have observed STM light emission (STM-LE) spectra of Ge2Sb2Te5 andAlthough these chalcogenide alloys exhibit band gaps less than 0.5 eV, the STM-LE wasobserved with a narrow spectral width at a photon energy of 1.5 eV for both materials.

We found that

the STM-LE is excited by electronic transitions taking place in the local electronic structure having a
direct gap-like shape with a band gap of 1.5 eV.

It is also important to understand temporal

behaviors of phonons in individual nano structures from a view point of nano device engineering.
Hence we are interested in adding pico-second temporal resolving power to STM-LE spectroscopy.

By

exciting STM-LE with the tunneling electrons induced by pico-second laser pulses, we have succeeded
in detecting vibrations of individual isolated single benzene molecules adsorbed on a Cu(110) surface
and optical phonons of Sb2Te3 with pico-second temporal resolution.

[Staff]
Professor
UEHARA, Yoichi Dr.
Assistant Professor KATANO, Satoshi Dr.
[Profile of Professor UEHARA]
Dr. Yoichi Uehara obtained his D. Eng. degree from the Department of Engineering, University ofOsaka prefecture in 1986, after which, he was initially appointed as an Assistant Professor at the
Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University.
Professor at the institute in 2005.
TohokuUniversity:(1)

He eventually became a Full

Dr. Uehara has worked on three main surface physics problems atlightemissionfrommetal-insulator-metal

(MIM)

and

metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) tunnel junctions, (2) low-energy electron spectroscopy, and (3) lightemission spectroscopy of scanning tunneling microscope (STM).

[Papers][1] T. Sanbongi, S. Katano, Y. Uehara, and S. Ushioda, “Time-Resolved Spectroscopy of Laser-Induced Light
Emission from an Evaporated Au Film in the Kretschmann Geometry”, Japanese Journal of Applied Physics 47,
6114-6116 (2008).
[2] Y. Uehara and S. Ushioda, “Scanning tunneling microscope light emission spectroscopy with goodsignal-to-noise ratio”, Journal of the Vacuum Society of Japan 51, 796-800 (2008).

6

Contact to Professor Yoichi UEHARA㧦uehara@riec.tohoku.ac.jp

2008 Information Devices Division
Quantum Optical Information Technology

Development of optoelectronic devices for quantum information andcommunication technology[Research Target and Activities]
%WTTGPVKPHQTOCVKQPCPFEQOOWPKECVKQPVGEJPQNQI[WVKNK\GUOCETQUEQRKECPFENCUUKECNRJ[UKECNSWCPVKVKGUUWEJCUXQNVCIGQTHTGSWGPE[QHGNGEVTKEHKGNFU6JGENCUUKECNVGEJPQNQI[YKNNTGCEJVJGNKOKVQHKPHQTOCVKQPFGPUKV[CPFURGGFKPVJGPGCTHWVWTG 6JG SWCPVWOOGEJCPKECN EQWPVGTRCTV ̌SWCPVWOKPHQTOCVKQP RTQEGUUKPI CPF EQOOWPKECVKQP VGEJPQNQI[̍ KP
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FKHHKEWNV[1WT IQCN KU VQ FGXGNQR VJG SWCPVWO KPHQTOCVKQP FGXKEGUWVKNK\KPISWCPVWOKPVGTCEVKQPDGVYGGPGNGEVTQPUCPFRJQVQPUKPUGOKEQPFWEVQTPCPQUVTWEVWTGUVQIGVHWTVJGTWPFGTUVCPFKPIQHVJGKT RJ[UKEU CPF VQ CRRN[ VJGO VQ RTCEVKECN SWCPVWOKPHQTOCVKQPVGEJPQNQIKGU9GCTGRCTVKEWNCTN[YQTMKPIVQYCTF
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UGOKEQPFWEVQTPCPQUVTWEVWTGU+PYGJCXGCEJKGXGF  FGXGNQROGPVQHCPQXGNUEJGOG
VQIGPGTCVGCPFFGVGEVGPVCPINGFRJQVQPU  OGCUWTGOGPVQH
UKPINGRJQVQPNGXGNQRVKECNPQPNKPGCTKV[KPCPQRVKECNHKDGT
CPF  VQOQITCRJKEOGCUWTGOGPVQHQRVKECNN[KPLGEVGFGNGEVTQPURKPUKPCUGOKEQPFWEVQTFig. 1 Single-photon-level optical nonlinearity.

Fig. 2 Quantum media conversion from photon polarization toan electron spin.

[Staff]
Professor: EDAMATSU, Keiichi Dr.
Associate professor: KOSAKA, Hideo Dr.
Assistant professor: MITSUMORI, Yasuyoshi Dr.
[Profile of Professor EDAMATSU]
Keiichi Edamatsu received B.S., M.S., and D.S. degrees in Physics from Tohoku University. He was a
Research Associate in Faculty of Engineering, Tohoku University, a Visiting Associate in California
Institute of Technology, and an Associate Professor in Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka
University.
[Papers]
[1]
[2]
=?

Observation of optical-fibre Kerr nonlinearity at the single-photon level [N. Matsuda, R. Shimizu, Y. Mitsumori, H.
Kosaka, and K. Edamatsu: Nature Photonics 3, 95-98 (2009)]
Spin state tomography of optically injected electrons in a semiconductor [H. Kosaka, T. Inagaki, Y. Rikitake, H.
Imamura, Y. Mitsumori, and K. Edamatsu: Nature 457, 702-705 (2009)]
Time-resolved photoinduced Kerr rotation in semiconductor microcavity [Y. Mitsumori, N. Kato, H. Kosaka, K.
Edamatsu, N. Yamamoto, K. Akahane: Phys. Stat. Sol. (c) 6, 292-295 (2009)]

Contact to Professor Keiichi EDAMATSU㧦eda@riec.tohoku.ac.jp7

2008 Information Devices Division
Solid State Electronics Laboratory

Ubiqitous Silicon Technology[Research Target and Activities]
To realize the ubiquitous (or ambient intelligence) society, in which sensors and their networks areembedded in our ambience to support our daily life, amarriage between non-Si technologies suitable forenvironmental sensing and the Si technology suitable forsignal processings is indispensable. To this goal, weinvestigate formation of ultrathin silicon-carbide (SiC) films
on Si substrates, hoping to use them as a common interface
between the two technologies. SiC is a group-IV compoundthat contains a pair of elements representative of bothelectronics (Si) and biology (C). It also bridges the gap
between Si and other II-VI or III-V compounds. It is a
widegap semiconductor that enables high-temperature
operations. High enough strength and hardness of SiC makethis material suitable for use in MEMS structures. We are
The integrated system for graphene
formation and analysis
developing gas-sensors, graphene-based ultrahigh-speed
devices, LEDs, biosensors, MEMS structures, non-volatilememories, and photovoltaic cells based on the SiC/Si structures. What lies behind these applications is
our original technology of SiC gas-source molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) using organo-silane, whichenables a high-quality, low-temperature SiC epitaxy on Si substrates. One of our most striking
achievements in this field is the realization of the graphene-on-silicon structure, in which graphene, amost promising semiconducting material to be used in the next generation devices, is formed by use of
surface modification of SiC/Si. Our research also covers the surface chemistry of Si-related surfaces,
targeted to the control of nanostructure formation on Si and SiC surfaces. Fabrication of
non-equilibrium Si structures such as amorphous-, microcrystalline-, and poly-Si thin films is also
within our interests, and is being intensively investigated using atmospheric-pressureplasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (AP-PECVD).
[Staff]
Professor : SUEMITSU, Maki Dr.
Assistant Professor : FUKIDOME, Hirokazu Dr.
Postdoctoral Fellow : ALGUNO, Arnold Café Dr.
[Profile of Professor Suemitsu]
Prof. Maki Suemitsu obtained bachelor degree on electronic enginnering (1975), Ph.D on electronic engineering(1980). He started his service at Research Institute of Electrical Communication (RIEC) as research associate (1980),
and became associate professor (1990). He then became professor at Center for Inderdisciplinary Research (2003).
Since 2008, he has been professor at RIEC. He has been engaged mainly on surfaces of semiconductor thin fims. He
was awarded the 30 th Kumagai prize of the best paper from the Vacuum Soceity of Japan.
[Papers]
1.
Carbon concentration dependence of charged point-defect density in semi-insulating GaAs as
observed by nuclear magnetic resonance Applied Physics Letters., 57 (1990), pp. 398-399. M.
Suemitsu, M. Nishijima, and N. Miyamoto2.
Observation of hydrogen-coverage- and temperatrue-dependent adsorption kinetics of disilaneon Si(100) during Si gas-source molecular beam epitaxyJapanese Journal of Applied Physics.,
36(1997), pp. L625-L628.M. Suemitsu, H. Nakazawa, T. Morita, and N. Miyamoto
3.
Initial oxidation of Si(100)-2x1 as an autocatalytic reaction, Physical Review. Lett., 82(1999),
pp.2334-2337. Maki Suemitsu, Yoshiharu Enta, Yasushi Miyanishi, and Nobuo Miyamoto
8

Contact to Professor Maki SUEMITSU㧦suemitsu@riec.tohoku.ac.jp

2008 Information Devices Division
Dielectric Nano-Devices

Research on Dielectric Nano Science and Technology[Research Target and Activities]
Our main area of interest is evaluationand development of dielectric materials, including
ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials and theirapplication to communication devices andferroelectric data storage systems. Our major
contributions to advancement in these fields are
the invention and the development of “Scanning
Nonlinear Dielectric Microscope” (SNDM) which isthe first successful purely electrical method for
Fig.1 Digital bit data written on ferroelectricobservingtheferroelectric
polarization
single crystal with the areal recording
density of 4 Tbit/inch2.
distribution without the influence of the shielding
effect by free charges and it has already been put
into practical use. The resolution of the microscope has been improved up to atomic scale-order.
Therefore, it has a great potential for realizing the ultra-high density ferroelectric recording system.
Major achievements of studies in 2008 are as follows: (1) Surfaces of various material (cf.
silicon, fullerene molecule, oxides) were observed with atomic resolution using non-contact SNDM.
(2) Digital information data were recorded on ferroelectric single-crystal recording media with an areal
recording density of 4 Tbit/inch2 using an SNDM-based storage system.
[Staff]
Professor : CHO, Yasuo Dr.
Assistant Professor : HIRANAGA, Yoshiomi Dr.
Assistant Professor : KIN, Nobuhiro
Technical Official : WAGATSUMA, Yasuo

Research Fellow : ISHIKAWA, Kenya Dr.
Research Fellow : KOBAYASHI, Shinichiro Dr.
Research Fellow : BHUIYAN, Moinul Dr.
Research Fellow : ODAGAWA, Nozomi[Profile of Professor Cho]
Yasuo Cho graduated in 1980 from Tohoku University in electrical engineering department.
In 1985 he became a research associate at Research Institute of Electrical Communication Tohoku
University. In 1990, he received an associate professorship from Yamaguchi University. He thenbecame an associate professor in 1997 and a full professor in 2001 at Research Institute of ElectricalCommunication Tohoku University. During this time, his main research interests included nonlinear
phenomena in ferroelectric materials and their applications, research on the scanning nonlinear
dielectric microscope, and research on using the nonlinear dielectric microscope in next-generation
ultrahigh density ferroelectric data storage (SNDM ferroelectric probe memory).
[Papers]
[1]

[2]

[3]

Kenkou TANAKA, Yuichi KURIHASHI, Tomoya UDA, Yasuhiro DAIMON, Nozomi ODAGAWA,
Ryusuke HIROSE, Yoshiomi HIRANAGA, and Yasuo CHO, “Scanning Nonlinear Dielectric Microscopy
Nano-Science and Technology for Next Generation High Density Ferroelectric Data Storage”, Jpn. J.
Appl. Phys, Vol.47, No.5, pp.3311-3325, 2008.
Yasuo Cho and Ryusuke Hirose, “Atomic Dipole Moment Distribution of Si Atoms on a Si(111)-(7×7)
Surface Studied Using Noncontact Scanning Nonlinear Dielectric Microscopy”, Physical Review
Letters, Vol.99, No.18, pp.186101-1-186101-4, 2007.
Yasuo Cho, “Nanoscale Ferroelectric Information Storage Based on Scanning Nonlinear Dielectric
Microscopy”, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Vol. 7, pp.105-116, 2007.

Contact to Professor Yasuo CHO㧦yasuocho@riec.tohoku.ac.jp92008 Information Devices Division
Materials Functionality Design

Computational Design of Functional Materials for Spintornics Devices[Research Target and Activities]
Our research targets are as follows: (1) theoretical analyses of quantum phenomena which appear inmaterials and nanostructures for advanced information devices, (2) computational design of materials
and nanostructures which possess new functionalities for improvement of device performance, and (3)development of new design procedures based on large-scale computational simulation techniques.
Our research activities in FY 2008 include computational materials design for spintornics as follows:(1) Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ) with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy
In order to ensure enough endurance against thermal fluctuations in downsizing non-volatilemagnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), it is inevitable to adopt ferromagnetic materials
with large magneto-crystalline anisotropy as electrodes of the MTJ. We investigate the effect ofinterfacial Fe layers into the FePt/MgO/FePt (001) MTJ on their tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR)
ratio on the basis of first-principles calculations. The TMR ratio increases dramatically even for 3-4
Fe layers inserted into both sides of the MgO barrier and the FePt electrodes.

[Staff]
Professor : SHIRAI, Masafumi Dr.
Assistant Professor : MIURA, Yoshio Dr.
Assistant Professor : ABE, Kazutaka Dr.

Local DOS at EF [states/eV/atom](2) Highly spin-polarized interfaces between Heusler alloys and oxides
We investigate the electronic and transport properties of MgO-based MTJ with half-metallic Heusler
alloy electrodes on the basis of first-principles calculations. The insertion of thin Co2CrAl layers
between Co2MnSi electrodes and the MgO
Co2MnSi/(Co2CrAl)1/MgO(001) interface (CrAl-termination)
barrier can eliminate electronic states in theminority-spin gap at the interface, leading to
100% spin polarization at the Fermi level in
0.8
Co
Majority-spin
the interfacial region (Fig. 1). The insertion
0.6
Mnof thin Co2CrAl layers into the MTJ can
0.4
Cr
0.2
improve the TMR ratio at room temperature.
0.0

Si

-0.2

Al

-0.4

Mg

-0.6

Minority-spin

O

-0.8
-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

distance from interface [angstrom]Fig. 1[Profile of Professor SHIRAI]
Masafumi Shirai was received the Doctor of Engineering degree from Osaka University in 1989.
From 1988 to 1996, he was a Research Associate, and then an Associate Professor at Osaka University.
From 2002 to the present, he has been a Professor at Tohoku University. His research interests havebeen itinerant electron magnetism in transition-metal compounds, computational materials design on
the basis of first-principles calculations, and so on.

[Papers][1] Y. Miura, H. Uchida, Y. Oba, K. Abe, and M. Shirai, “Half-metallic interface and coherent tunneling in
Co2YZ/MgO/Co2YZ (YZ = MnSi, CrAl) magnetic tunnel junctions: A first-principles study,” Phys. Rev. B,
Vol.78, No.6, Article no.064416, pp.1-9, 2008.
[2] Y. Taniguchi, Y. Miura, K. Abe, and M. Shirai, “Theoretical studies on spin-dependent conductance in
FePt/MgO/FePt(001) magnetic tunnel junctions,” IEEE Trans. Magn., Vol.44, No.11, pp.2585-2588, 2008.
[3] K. Abe, Y. Miura, Y. Shiozawa, and M. Shirai, “Half-metallic interface between a Heusler alloy and Si,” J.
Phys.: Condensed Matter, Vol.21, No.6, Article no.064244, pp.1-5, 2009.
10

Contact to Professor Masafumi SHIRAI㧦shirai@riec.tohoku.ac.jp      

2008

Broadband Engineering Division

Broadband Engineering Division: Research Target and Results
In order to establish the future broadband communication systems and novel devices
that are flexibly applied to the future ubiquitous ultra-large capacity information
communication, research and development are carrying out over the wide bands ofmicrowaves, millimeter/submillimeter waves, terahertz waves, and lightwaves withregard to the information generation, transmission, processing, storage, andsemiconductor spintronics technologies.
(1) Wireless Information Technology
Researchanddevelopment

areprogressing

towardDependable

Wireless

Next-generation-network (DWN) in the 21st century's wireless information technology.
For realizing the DWN, we are interested in developing the following wireless network;(i) next-generation mobile broadband wireless access (MBWA), (ii) dependable
broadband wireless local area network (WLAN), and (iii) ultra-broadband wirelesspersonal area network (WPAN).
We are also actively engaged in work on following technology for broadband,
low-power consumption and small-size terminals; RF power amplifier, synthesizer andmixer devices for millimeter-wave-band wireless modems, and GHz-band film bulk
acoustic resonator (FBAR) filters and oscillators.
(2) Ultra-Broadband Signal Processing
We are developing novel, integrated electron devices and circuit systems operatingin the terahertz region. One example is a plasmon-resonant emitter structured bydual-grating gates high-electron mobility transistors. The microchip emitter was
introduced as a broadband terahertz light source into a spectrometer and successfullymeasured the water-vapor absorption spectra over the terahertz range.
We are also pursuing new materials called “graphene,” a single-layered honeycomb
lattice carbon crystal, featuring extraordinary carrier transport properties of massless
Dirac Fermions.

We have succeeded in transistor operation by introducing graphene

as a channel material in a Si-based transistor.
(3) Ultrahigh-Speed Optical Communication
To achieve a global high-capacity optical network, we have been engaged in the
research on ultrahigh-speed Optical Time-Division Multiplexing (OTDM) transmission
and highly spectral-efficient coherent Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)
transmission.
As regards the ultrahigh-speed transmission, 320 Gbit/s DPSK signal was
successfullytransmitted

over

525

km

with

a

time-domain

opticalFourier11      transformation

(OFT)

2008

technique.

Broadband Engineering DivisionIn

coherent

transmission,

we

successfully

demonstrated a 6 channel FDM transmission of 64 QAM signals over 160 km, in which
a total capacity of 72 Gbit/s was transmitted with only 8.4 GHz bandwidth and thus the
spectral efficiency reached as high as 8.6 bit/s/Hz.
(4) Applied Quantum Optics
Novel functional semiconductor photonic devices are investigated to explore newgeneration photonic network systems. Ultra-broadband coherent terahertz (THz) wave
radiation, called as “Tera-Photonics,” is also studied.
Research for ultra-high-speed semiconductor photonic devices operated bycontrolling signal light injection has been started. Novel THz biosensors using surface
plasmon resonance are also studied to achieve sensitive detection of biomolecules and
THz imaging with sub-wavelength spatial resolution. Local-field enhancement isclarified from numerical analysis and suitable structures for the resonators areclarified.
(5) Information Storage Systems
Amount of digital information is rapidly growing year by year in this decade. Highdensity magnetic recording technology to store the tremendous volume of information is
crucial to meet this strong demand. System technology to process data access to/fromthe disks plays another significant role.
For a high areal density of 2 Tbits/inch2, a computer simulation based on LLG
equation and experimental studies for high density read/write performance of
perpendicular magnetic recording have been carried out. The recording method basedon bit patterned media and its design guideline were thus established. A novel storagearchitecture to reduce power consumption was developed for petabyte-classlarge-capacity systems.
(6) Basic Technology for Broadband Communication (Mizuno Lab.)

Developmentof

measurement

instruments

using

the

millimeter-andterahertz-wave region of the electromagnetic spectrum is the research target of thislaboratory.
We are developing imaging systems mainly of passive mode, which enables
non-invasive measurement possible. A 2-dimensional imaging array for the 35
GHz-band has been developed and the imaging speed of 0.8 s/frame has been obtained.
(7) Basic Technology for Broadband Communication (Inutake Lab.)We are interested in developing air-borne synthetic aperture radars (SAR) for
civilian applications contributing safety and security improvement. The SAR will be
useful for all-weather surveillance and rescue in disastrous fires and smokes.

122008      

Broadband Engineering Division

Conceptual design of a spotlight-mode SAR system has been done, targeting at ahigh resolution (5-10 cm), small size and light weight (20-30 kg) at Ku/Ka-band.
Scientists and engineers from both universities and industries collaborate on the
program.
(8) Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics: Semiconductor Spintronics
The

nanoscienceandnanotechnology

to control

thequantum

statesinsemiconductors, especially the spin-states and optical transitions, are investigated torealized new functional devices, such as memories and logic devices using spin states aswell as quantum cascade lasers (QCL) with THz emission.
Control of magnetic anisotropy in a (Ga,Mn)As film was demonstrated by theapplication of electric-fields. Phase coherence control of spin-3/2 75As nuclei wasdemonstrated in a GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well by multipulse NMR sequences andoptically-detected NMR. GaAs-based quantum cascade lasers emitting at 3.8 THz was
realized, and intersubband transitions in ZnO quantum wells was observed.
(9) Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics: Nano-Spin Memories
Technologies to realize advanced spin memory and logic devices using magnetic
tunnel junctions (MTJs) consisting of ferromagnetic metal electrodes and insulating
barriers are developing.
The TMR ratio of 604 (1144) % at RT (5 K) (world record) was demonstrated in
MgO-based MTJs. Low intrinsic critical current density (Jc0) without degrading thethermal-stability factor E/kBT was realized by using SyF free layer. Fabrication processof magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) on circuits was developed, and the operation of
nonvolatile full adder based on logic-in-memory architecture was verified.

13

2008 Broadband Engineering Division
Research Area of Ultrahigh-Speed Optical Communication

Advanced optical communication technologies approaching the Shannon limit[Research Target and Activities]
With the vast growth of traffic on the Internet from simple text data to high quality voice, images,
and real-time video, it has become increasingly important to realize a high-capacity and high-speed
network to support the daily needs of modern communications. Ultrahigh-speed opticalcommunication is the key technology for building such an interconnected world. This laboratory aims
to achieve a global ultrahigh-speed optical network in the 21 century by engaging in the research ofultrashort pulse generation and transmission.
For ultrahigh-speed transmission, we have developed a new distortion-free transmission scheme
which employs the optical Fourier transformation (OFT) in the time domain. This year, we applied thistechnique to 320 Gbit/s system, and successfully demonstrated error-free transmission over 525 km, inwhich tolerance to higher-order polarization-mode dispersion was greatly improved with OFT. We havealso been actively engaged in
1.2
coherent
QAM
optical1transmission for achieving the
0.8
0.6
ultrahigh spectral efficiency
0.4
approaching the Shannon limit.
0.2
This year, we successfully
02
4-6 -4 -2 0
6
demonstrated a frequencyOffset frequency [GHz](b)division multiplexed 64 QAM
transmission,inwhichpolarization-multiplexed
1
Gsymbol/s, 64 QAM (12 Gbit/s)
160 kmBack-to- 1.8 dB
data
were
successfullybacktransmitted over 160 km in a
Received Power [dBm]6-channel FDM with a 1.4 GHz(a)(c)
spacing. Thus the spectral
Fig. 1 Gsymbol/s, 64 QAM-FDM transmission setup (a), QAM signal
efficiency reached as high as 6
spectrum (b), and bit error rate characteristics (c).
bit/s/Hz with a total capacity of
72 Gbit/s (Fig. 1).
AWG1

I

Q

Pol.

Att. PBS

IQM1

MCG1

1.4 GHzfc

2.8 GHzx 2 BPF

IQM2

MCG2

fc-fshift
C2H2 FrequencyStabilized Fiber
Laser 2I

4.9 GHz

Delay 1 m

Q

Power [a.u.]

C2H2 FrequencyStabilized Fiber
Laser 1EDFA PC

AWG2

OFS

80 km SMF

FBG (1.4 GHz) FBG (5 GHz)

PBS

Att

3.5~4.5 GHzPD-2 dBm

-2 dBmBPF

A/D

Digital Signal
Processor

Prec

DBM

PD

Feedback
Circuit

Synthesizer(fsym=6.1, 8.9, 11.7 GHz)
Local
Oscillator(Tunable Fiber Laser)

Bit Error Rate

80 km SMF

10

-3

10

-4

10

-5

-44

-42

-40

-38

-36

-34

-32

[Staff]
Professor: NAKAZAWA, Masataka Dr.
Associate Professor: HIROOKA, Toshihiko Dr.
Assistant Professor: YOSHIDA, Masato Dr.
COE Fellow: KASAI, Keisuke Dr.
[Profile of Professor NAKAZAWA]
Prof. Nakazawa received a Ph. D. degree from the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1980. In 1980, hejoined the Ibaraki Electrical Communication Laboratory, Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Public
Corporation. He was a visiting scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1984-1985. In
2001, he moved to the Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University as aprofessor, where he has been engaged in research on ultrahigh-speed optical communication including
soliton transmission, nonlinear effects in fibers, mode-locked lasers, and photonic crystal fibers. He is
the author and coauthor of over 380 journal articles and holds more than 100 patents. He is a Fellow ofIEEE, OSA, and IEICE, and has received various awards including the 2002 Daniel E. Noble Awardand 2005 OSA R. W. Wood Prize.
[Papers][1] H. Goto, M. Yoshida, T. Omiya, K. Kasai, and M. Nakazawa, “Polarization and frequency divisionmultiplexed 1Gsymbol/s, 64 QAM coherent optical transmission with 8.6 bit/s/Hz spectral efficiency over
160 km,” IEICE Electron. Express, vol. 5, no. 18, pp. 776-781, September (2008).
[2] T. Hirooka, M. Okazaki, P. Guan, and M. Nakazawa, “320-Gb/s single-polarization DPSK transmission
over 525 km using time-domain optical Fourier transformation,” IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett., vol. 20, no.
22, pp. 1872-1874, November (2008).
[3] M. Nakazawa, K. Kasai, and M. Yoshida, “C2H2 absolutely optical frequency-stabilized and 40 GHz
repetition-rate-stabilized, regeneratively mode-locked picosecond erbium fiber laser at 1.53 Pm,” Opt.
Lett., vol. 33, no. 22, pp. 2641-2643, November (2008).
14

Contact to Professor Masataka NAKAZAWA㧦nakazawa@riec.tohoku.ac.jp

2008 Broadband Engineering Division
Applied Quantum Optics

Research on Innovative Highly-Functional Photonic Semiconductor Devices andUltra-wide band coherent light sources, and their applications[Research Target and Activities]
Novel functional semiconductor photonic devices including photonic integrated circuits areinvestigated to explore new-generation photonic network systems. We have also been studying
ultra-broadband coherent terahertz (THz) wave radiation to explore novel science and technology,“tera-photonics”.
Ultra-high-speed semiconductor photonic active devices operated by control signal light injection
are started to research by utilizing a semiconductor laser with an external feedback cavity. In order torealize highly-functional photonic semiconductor modulators, coherent optical signal generation is
successfully demonstrated by using compact and low-driving--voltage semiconductor Mach-Zehnder
modulators. Novel THz biosensors using surface plasmon resonance are also studied to achievesensitive detection of biomolecules, high-spatial-resolution THz imaging beyond diffraction limit, andapplication to THz-frequency coherent anti-Stokes Raman (THz-CARS) microscopy system wedeveloped. Local-field enhancement was numerically analyzed to clarify optimum design of resonatorstructure.
Pump,
Stokesobjective lens
XY stagefilter,PMT

CARS
filters

Experimental setups for novel semiconductor photonic functional devices (left),and THz-CARS (center) and its image for poled lithium niobate (right)[Staff]
Professor 㧦 YASAKA, Hiroshi Dr.
Associate Professor 㧦 SHIKATA, Jun-ichi Dr.
[Profile of Professor YASAKA]
Hiroshi YASAKA received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics from Kyusyu University in 1983 and1985, and Ph.D. degree in Electronics Engineering from Hokkaido University in 1993. In 1985 hejoined the Atsugi Electrical Communications Laboratories, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT)Corporation. Since then, he has been engaging in research and development on semiconductor
photonic devices for optical fiber communication systems. From 2008 he has been a professor of Tohoku
University. He is a member of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers(IEICE) of Japan, the Japan Society of Applied Physics, the Physical Society of Japan, andIEEE/LEOS.
[Papers][1] H. Yasaka, N. Kikuchi, K. Tsuzuki, N. Ishikawa, T. Yasui, and Y. Shibata, “Advances in InP
Mach-Zehnder modulators for large capacity photonic network systems (Invited),” Proc. 20th
International Conference on Indium Phosphide and Related Materials (IPRM2008), Versalles, France,
ThA1.1, 2008.
[2] K. M. Abedin, J. Shikata, K. Miyamoto, and H. Ito, “Change of molecular damping during solidificationand melting in scattering samples studied by Raman spectroscopy,” Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 47, No. 10,
pp. 7936-7940, 2008.
[3] J. Shikata, K. Endo, S. Nagano, Y.-Y. Zhu, and H. Ito, “Terahertz-frequency coherent anti-Stokes
Raman spectroscopy of periodically poled lithium niobate,” IEICE Tech. Report, Vol. 108, No. 191, pp.
33-38, 2008.

Contact to Professor Hiroshi YASAKA㧦yasaka@riec.tohoku.ac.jp15

2008 Broadband Engineering Division
Wireless Info Tech

For Realizing Dependable Wireless Next-Generation-Network (DWN)[Research Target and Activities]
Communication
Researchanddevelopment
are distance
CDMA
TDMA
Standard
OFDMA
progressing toward Dependable WirelessNon IEEEIEEE (IP friendly)
Next-Generation-Network (DWN) in the 21st 1000m
Dependable
Wide-area
century's wireless information technology.
Wireless NGN
Wide-area(Cellular)T
P ran
The DWN immediately provides any
1Wowe smis
@ r Li sio
2G m i n
Hz t:
100m
information for everyone at anytime andHigh data rateband
anywhere.
Ultra
high
Wireless LAN
data rate
For realizing the DWN, we are interested
10m
Short-range
in developing following wireless network; (1)communicationnext generation mobile broadband wirelessaccess (MBWA), (2) dependable broadband
10k
100k
10M
100M
1G Data rate
1M
[bit/s]Narrowband
Broadband
wireless local area network (WLAN), and (3)PDC: personal digital cellular (Japanese 2G cellular system)
PHS: personal handy-phone system (Japanese small-cell system)
ultra broadband wireless personal area
network (WPAN).
Fig. The target system of Wireless Info Tech.
In this year, we have discussed following
technology for broadband, low power
consumption and small size terminals; (1) RF power amplifier, synthesizer and mixer devices formillimeter wave and GHz-band wireless modems, (2) GHz-band film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR)
devices, (3) Ultra small antennas for mobile terminals, (4) Seamless interconnection technology using
3-dementional system in package (3D SiP), and (5) frequency domain equalizer (FDE) devices on field
programmable gate array (FPGA). Moreover, we have evaluated the MBWA field trial using
frequency hopping orthogonal frequency division multiple access (FH-OFDMA) system.
PDC

GSM

W-CDMA

cdmaOnecdma2000

HSPA

802.16e802.20802.11 802.11b

PHS

MBWA base station

802.11n802.11a/g

324Mbit/s
5GHz-band WLAN

Zigbee802.15.4

RF-ID

mmWave802.15.3c

Bluetooth802.15.1

UWB

Ultra-small
3D SiP WPAN

[Staff]
Professor: TSUBOUCHI, Kazuo, Ph. D
Associate Professor: NAKASE, Hiroyuki, Ph. D (㨪June 2008)
Assistant Professor: KAMEDA, Suguru, Ph. D[Profile of Professor: TSUBOUCHI]
Prof. Tsubouchi received the Ph.D. degree in Electronics Engineering from Nagoya University in 1974.
Since 1974, he has been with the Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University.
In 1982, he spent at Purdue University as a Visiting Associate Professor. He is currently theprofessor and the director of IT-21 Center. He received the 2005 Achievement Award from the IEICE,and “Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Award” in the Award for Personsof Merit in Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration in FY2007, et al. He is a member of theIEEE, the IEICE, the Physical Society of Japan, the Japan Society of Applied Physics, and theInstitute of Electrical Engineers of Japan.
[Papers][1] S. Yoshida, K. Tsubouchi, A. Tosaki, H. Oguma, S. Kameda, H. Nakase, and T. Takagi, "Radiation characteristics ofultra-small wireless communication modules for 60GHz band WPAN," 2008 IEEE Int. Symp. on Antennas andPropagation and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, 108.11, July 2008.
[2] V. Gheorghiu, S. Kameda, T. Takagi, K. Tsubouchi, and F. Adachi, "Implementation of single carrier packet
transmission with frequency domain equalization," 68th IEEE Vehicular Tech. Conf., 4H-3, Sept. 2008..
[3] Y. Aota, S. Tanifuji, H. Oguma, S. Kameda, T. Takagi, and K. Tsubouchi, "AlN film using low temperature MOCVD
process for FBAR," 2008 IEEE Int. Ultrason. Symp., P3J095-05, Nov. 2008.

16

Contact to Professor Kazuo TSUBOUCHI㧦tsubo@riec.tohoku.ac.jp

2008 Broadband Engineering Division
Information Storage System

Research on Large Capacity Information Storage System Using Perpendicular
Magnetic Recording[Research Target and Activities]
Amount of digital information is rapidly growing year by year, which is
projected to exceed 100 Exa-byte (1020 bytes) in 2010. Extremely large storage
capacity by high density magnetic recording for the information is thus
required. Perpendicular magnetic recording was introduced in order tocontinuously develop areal density of hard disk drives beyond the conventional
density limit, 1 Tbit/inch2 and even up to 5 Tbit/inch2. We thus focus on
research on high density perpendicular magnetic recording in next generation.
Theoretical studies including a micromagnetic computer simulation in Fig 1 Fabricated bit
association with experimental approach are carried out for this purpose.
patterned media
As we early proposed, magnetic nano-structure ofrecording media is the most essential parameter to achieve
high density perpendicular recording. Bit-patterned
medium (Fig 1 and 2) is one of promising candidates. For atarget areal density of 2 Tbit/inch2 in which the bit size
corresponds to the area of 13 nm by 25 nm, recording
error-rate performance for the bit-patterned medium wasanalyzed. A design guideline of the writing process for the
media was clarified based on the statistical modeling. The Fig 2 Recording scheme for a bit patterned
analyses unveiled geographical and magnetic uniformity of medium.
the patterned dots was found to be essential, as well as thewriting head resolution. The computer simulation derived concrete specifications of heads and media
for high density recording.
In addition to the studies on magnetic recording, a novel low-power consumption architecture forextremely large capacity storage system was developed based on tiered operation of hard disk drives.
[Staff]
Professor: MURAOKA Hiroaki Dr. (since 2000)
Associate Professor: Simon J. GREAVES Dr. (since 2003)
Assistant Professor: MIURA Kenji, Dr. (since 2003)
Secretary: KASUYA Sachiko[Profile of Professor: MURAOKA]
In 1991, Professor Muraoka joined Tohoku University. Since then, he has been engaged in research on
high-density magnetic recording devices, systems and recording theories, mainly for perpendicularmagnetic recording. He received PhD degree in 1981. He is a Fellow of IEEE.
[Papers]
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

M. Hashimoto, K. Miura, H. Muraoka, H. Aoi, R. Wood, M. Salo, Y. Ikeda, “Influence of patterning fluctuation on
read/write characteristics in discrete track and bit patterned media,” J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 320, 2935-2943, 2008.
N. Degawa, S.J. Greaves, H. Muraoka, Y. Kanai, “Characterization of a 2 Tbit/in2 Patterned Media Recording
System,” IEEE Trans. Magn, 44, 11, pp. 3434-3437, 2008.
H. Muraoka, S.J. Greaves, Y. Kanai, “Modeling and Simulation of the Writing Process on Bit-Patterned PerpendicularMedia,” IEEE Trans. Magn, 44, 3423-3429, 2008.
S.J. Greaves, Y. Kanai, H. Muraoka, “Magnetic Recording in Patterned Media at 5-10 Tb/in2,” IEEE Trans. Magn, 44,
3430-3433, 2008.

Contact to Professor Hiroaki MURAOKA㧦muraoka@riec.tohoku.ac.jp

17

2008 Broadband Engineering Division
Ultra-broadband Signal Processing

Novel Millimeter-wave and Terahertz Integrated Electron Devices and Systems[Research Target and Activities]

Original plasmon-resonant microchip emitter and its application to terahertz spectroscopic measurement.
(Left: SEM image of the die fabricated with GaAs-based heterostructure materials and its
packaging/installation into the chamber of a terahertz spectrometer as a light source, center: emission
spectrum in the self-oscillation mode at room temperature in comparison with that for a standard
high-pressure mercury lamp, right: water-vapor absorption spectrum measured by using the
microchip emitter (upper) in comparison with the reference data provided by NASA (lower).)

We are developing novel, integrated electron devices and circuit systems operating in the terahertz
region. One example is a plasmon-resonant terahertz emitter structured by dual-grating gateshigh-electron mobility transistors (HEMT's). The microchip emitter was introduced as a broadband
terahertz light source into a spectrometer and successfully measured the water-vapor absorption
spectrum over the terahertz range (see the above figures). We are also pursuing new materials called“graphene” for ultrafast transistors to break through the limit on conventional transistor speed.
Graphene, a single-layered honeycomb lattice carbon crystal, features extraordinary carrier transport
properties due to the nature of massless Dirac Fermions. We have succeeded in transistor operation
by introducing graphene as a channel material in a Si-based transistor, leading to terahertz operation.

[Staff]
Professor: OTSUJI Taiichi Dr.
Associate Professor: SUEMITSU Tetsuya, Dr.
Assistant Professor: Yahya Moubarak MEZIANI, Dr.
Visiting Professor: Wojciech KNAP, Dr.
JSPS Research Fellow: Abdelouahad EL FATIMY, Dr.
Secretary: HAMADA Megumi[Profile of Professor OTSUJI]
Prof. Taiichi Otsuji received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in electronic engineering from Kyushu Instituteof Technology (Kyutech), Fukuoka, Japan, in 1982 and 1984, and the Ph.D. degree from Tokyo
Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan, in 1994. After working for NTT Laboratories, Japan, since
1984, he joined Kyutech in 1999, as an associate professor, being a professor from 2002. Since 2005,
he has been a professor at RIEC, Tohoku University, Japan. He is the recipient of the Outstanding
Paper Award of the 1997 IEEE GaAs IC Symposium. He is a member of IEEE, OSA, IEICE, and JSAP.
[Papers]
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

V. Ryzhii, A. Satou, M. Ryzhii, T. Otsuji, M. S. Shur, J. Phys.: Condens. Matters, Vol. 20, 384207, pp. 1-6, 2008.
T. Otsuji, et al., J. Phys.: Condens. Matters, Vol. 20, Iss. 384206, pp. 1-11, 2008.
Y. M. Meziani, et al., Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 92, Iss. 20, pp. 201108-1-201108-3, 2008.
V. Ryzhii, M. Ryzhii, A. Satou, and T. Otsuji, J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 103, pp. 094510-1-094510-8, May. 2008.
18

Contact to Professor Taiichi OTSUJI㧦otsuji@riec.tohoku.ac.jp

2008 Broadband Engineering Division
Basic Technology for Broadband Communication

Development of Measurement Instrumentation by the Millimeter and THz Wave
[Research Target and Activities]
Development of measurement instruments using the millimeter- and terahertz- wave region of theelectromagnetic spectrum is the research target of this Division. Since the wavelength of this region islarger than that of the infrared and optical region, scattering by cloud, dust, flame, fabrics, skin, etc. ismuch smaller and since photon energy of this region is much smaller than thermal energy kTB at theroom temperature, non-invasive measurement for materials is possible. We are developing imaging
systems mainly of passive mode and mainly for security applications.

[Left]: 35 GHz 2-dimensional (7 x 7) imaging array developed. [Right]: Measured depth of field.
Vertical axis shows size of images (arbitrary unit) and the figure is plotted as a function of distancefrom lens (horizontal axis. mm).

[Staff]Visiting Professor: MIZUNO Koji Dr.
[Profile of Professor MIZUNO]
Koji Mizuno was graduated from the Department of Electronic Engineering, Tohoku University,
Sendai, in 1963 and was appointed Professor at the University in 1984. He was a visiting researcher at
the University of London in 1972, and at California Institute of Technology in 1990. In 2004 he wasappointed Professor Emeritus of Tohoku University and also Research Professor of RIEC. He isrecipient of the IEEE Fellow grade in 1993 (now Life Fellow), the Kenneth J. Button Medal in 1998,
the Minister Award of MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan)
in 2003, and IEEE MTT-Society Distinguished Educator Award in 2005.
[Papers][1] M. Sato, T. Hirose, T. Ohki, T. Takahashi, K. Makiyama, H. Sato, K. Sawaya, and K. Mizuno,“InP-HEMT MMICs FOR PASSIVE MILLIMETER-WAVE IMAGING SENSORS,” 20th Indium Phosphide
and Related Materials Conference, Versailles, France, May 2008. (Invited)[2] K. Mizuno, ̌Millimeter wave Imaging Technologies,̍ J. IEICE, Vol. 91, No. 12, pp. 1047-1053, Dec.
2008. (Invited, in Japanese)[3] K. Mizuno, “Passive Millimeter-wave Sensing for Secure-Life,” Pro. Global COE Symposium on
Secure-Life Electronics, Tokyo, pp. 17–20, Jan. 2009. (Invited)

Contact to Professor Koji MIZUNO㧦koji@riec.tohoku.ac.jp

19

2008 Broadband Engineering Division
Basic Technology for Broadband Communication

High Resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar for Civilian Applications[Research Objectives and Activities]
We are interested in developing air-borne synthetic aperture radars (SAR) for civilian applications.
We intend contributing safety and security improvement of the country. The SAR will be useful for
all-weather surveillance and rescue in disastrous fires and smokes. Scientists and engineers fromboth universities and industries collaborate on our research and development programs.

1. Conceptual design of a spotlight-mode SAR system has been done, as shown in Fig.1.
2. We aim for developing high resolution (5-10cm), small size and light weight (20-30kg) SAR at
Ku/Ka-band microwave frequencies.
3. Domestically-available, manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, which are suitable for the SAR
platforms, were identified.
4. A principle that our developments are open to all contributing parties is adopted.

[Staff]Visiting Professor : INUTAKE Masaaki Dr.
[Profile of Professor INUTAKE]
1966: Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering, University of Tokyo.
1972: Doctor of Engineering, University of Tokyo.
1972-1974: Research Fellow, Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science, University of Tokyo.
1974-1980: Assistant Professor, Institute of Plasma Physics, Nagoya University
1980-1994: Associate Professor, Graduate School of Applied Physics, University of Tsukuba.
1994-2007: Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University.
2007-present: Visiting Professor, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University.
Researches: Development of dense plasma sources. Microwave/laser-aided plasma diagnostics. Alfvnwave physics and its applications for the wave heating of a fusion plasma. Alfvn wave heating andacceleration of supersonic plasma flows in a magnetic nozzle for an advanced space propulsion.
[Papers][1] M. Inutake, A. Ando, M. Ichimura, Y. Amagishi, A. Tsushima, ”Basic Researches on Alfvn Wave Phenomena and its
Application”, Prizes for Science & Technology (Research Category), Commendation for Science & Technology by the
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, (April , 2008).
[2] A. Ando, T. Hagiwara S. Jo, T. Taguchi, K. Hattori and M. Inutake, “Experimental Study of Ion Heating and
Acceleration in a Fast-Flowing Plasma for the Advanced Plasma Propulsion”, Proc. Int. Conf. on Plasma Physics 2008,
Fukuoka (Sept, 2008), EPR. P3-198.
[3] A. Mase et al., “Advancement of Microwave Diagnostics and their Industrial Application”, 11th IEEE Int. Conf. on
Communication Technology, Hangzhou (Nov. 2008).
20

Contact to Professor Masaaki INUTAKE㧦inutakem@riec.tohoku.ac.jp      

2008

Human Information Systems Division

Aims and Achievements of Human Information Systems Division
Understanding the mechanisms of human information processing and realizing appropriate
information communication environments are necessary for advanced information communication
systems.
The aim of this division is to develop elementary and system technologies for the next
generation of information communication systems that are in harmony with human and theenvironment. For the aim, Achievements of Human Information Systems Division covers theresearch fields of information creation of biological systems, information communication
environments optimization and human information processing.
To achieve the aim, the division consists of the following four laboratories: Electomagnetic
Bioinformation Engineering, Advanced Acoustic Information Systems, Visual Cognition and
Systems, Interdisciplinary Field for Informatics, and Ubiquitous Communications System.
(1) Electomagnetic Bioinformation Engineering(Aims) The aim of our division are to obtain the high accuracy sensor system for the signals from thehuman body or electric devices and to obtain the system for approaching action to the human body, byusing the magnetically nano-scale controlled magnetic materials and by the development of thedevices under the functions of the magnetics.
(Achievements) We proposed a extraordinary high sensitivity of the magnetic field sensor and thestrain sensor by the technique of optimizing the properties of the magnetic thin films. The
manipulating technique for controlling the coagulation and the dispersion of the magnetic small
particles, which will be used in the human body, was proposed. In addition, 3D position detecting
system using magnetic markers was studied to improve its position accuracy. The study about themagnetic actuator driven by external magnetic field was carried out for micro-pump,
micro-cantilevered actuator, and so on. The system supporting the medical operation under theendoscopes was studied accompanied with the medical doctors.
(2)Advanced Acoustic Information Systems(Aims) To realize future high-definition communication systems with rich and natural sense ofpresence, acoustic information processing technologies based on good knowledge of human auditory
system as well as multimodal perception relating to hearing are studied.
(Achievements)In 2008, we deepen the understanding human spaciotemporal perceptual processes ofaudio-visual and audio-vestibular information. This is particularly important to realize future
multi-modal information processing and communication systems. We continued to develop methods,
such as virtual auditory displays based on our accumulated knowledge of human auditory spaceperception, new auralization method for concert hall based on sound field simulation and 1/10th-scalemeasurement, and high-precision analyzing method using a surrounding microphone array, to realize
3D immersive sound fields. They are keenly required to realize super-definition audio-visualcommunications in near future. Furthermore, we developed new signal processing algorithms of21      

2008

Human Information Systems Division

digital watermarking, safer voice over internet protocols (VoIP) realizing high secrecy, advanced
digital hearing aids, and high-performance binaural speech enhancement providing proper spatial
information.
(3) Visual Cognition and Systems(Aims) To understand the vision-related brain functions in order to apply the knowledge to realize
human oriented information communication systems.
(Achievements) We achieved results in the fields of visual attention motion perception and motion in
depth perception. Firstly, we succeeded to measure distribution of visual attention while people
tracking a moving object, and the measurements showed that the visual system has difficulty to pay
attention to different location other than the object tracked. This knowledge is useful to model thefunction of visual attention. Secondly, we showed that only slow motion detector contribute todetection of global motion and also that it is different from the attention-based motion system. Sinceslow motion signals have been paid little attention both in vision and image processing, the result
provided new view of role of motion signals in visual processing. Finally, we investigated temporalfactors of human depth perception. Most importantly, we revealed that the visual system has two
different mechanisms for seeing motion in depth perception. Using a technique to test the ability to
see motion in depth based on each mechanism, we showed there are two different types of stereo
blind people: ones with problem to see static depth and ones with problem to see dynamic depthchange.
(4) Interdisciplinary Field for Informatics(Aims) The interdisciplinary field of research combining nanobiotechnology and information
technology attracts our exceeding interests. These studies stand on the development of new materials
created by self-assembly of functional molecules and nanomaterials, leading to new classes ofbiosensing devices.
(Achievements) We have developed high density DNA microarrays in combination withmicrocontact printing (mCP) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging. The hybridization
between target DNA immobilized on gold nanoparticles and probe DNA arrayed on flat gold
substrates was successfully demonstrated in high contrast image by the enhancement of opticalsignals based on nanoscale phenomena. Tuning of work function of carbon nanotube-based FET
devices as well as characterization of specific interaction between b-cyclodextrin molecules are
performed as the application works with thiolated self-assembled mono-layers. The cell cultures on
nanopatterned block copolymer surfaces and the production of anti-azobenzene IgG in rabbit are also
carried out as a part of nanobio study.
(5) Ubiquitous Communications System(Aims) To realize communications environments in which everybody can communicate withanybody, any where and any time by carrying out researches on radio propagation characteristics,22      

2008

Human Information Systems Divisionelectromagnetic interferences, and radio equipment with which customers can communicate
universally.
To contribute to materialize or to lead IEEE standardization based on “Japanese technologies”(Achievements) To realize Gigabit per second transmission employing millimeter wave (60GHz)
indoor PAN (Wireless Personal Area Networks) systems, a lot of measurements and experiments
have been done on antenna directivity / beam width and delay spreads, reflective waves by walls andmetals (or equivalents) and they lead to the inventions of simultaneous multiple signal path tracking(including the intentionally created path) and dynamic path selection to increase communications
reliability enhancement. Also, a lot of physical layers have been designed and simulated to develop
robust WPAN systems in various and practical fading environments. Moreover, ultra high speed
MAC (Medium Access Control) has been designed and developed for high throughput Gigabit
WPAN.
Through organizing a Consortium (COMPA, Chair: Professor Shuzo Kato) (22 active
members) and getting a group of supporting COMPA as Partners (17 non-Japanese institutes), a
global and harmonized IEEE standardization has been executed successfully (the standardization will
be finalized in this year). This will be the first successful standardization of “Japanese organization
driven IEEE standardization) and it will a good role model of IEEE standardization for Japaneseindustry.

23

2008 Human Information Systems Division
Electromagnetic Bioinformation Engineering

Communication with human body[Research Target and Activities] 
Fig.1 Sensitive magnetic field sensor

Fig. 2 Magnetic actuator for capsule-endoscope

The magnetic field sensor with very high sensitivity was produced. In this work, new processes forcontrolling the anisotropy of the magnetic thin films were approached and a huge change of the
impedance of the sensor was obtained. On the work of wireless magnetic motion capture systems, thefactors in the detection accuracy were quantitatively clarified. The magnetic actuators such as the
micro-pump, and the cantilevered actuator with the magnetostrictive thin films were studied. The
work for the magnetic actuator for the capsule-endoscope was carried out with a company of the
medical equipments.

[Staff]
Professor: ISHIYAMA Kazushi Dr. (Since 2007)
Assistant Professor: HASHI Shuichiro Dr. (Since 2008)[Profile of Professor ISHIYAMA]He received his MS and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering from Tohoku University in 1986 and1993, respectively. He is currently working as a professor in Research Institute of ElectricalCommunication, Tohoku University. His research interests are in the area of magnetics and magnetic
applications.
[Papers][1] Kazushi Ishiyama, Chikako Yokota, "Cantilevered actuator using magnetostrictive thin film," Journal of Magnetismand Magnetic Materials, vol. 320(2008), pp.2481-2484.
[2] T. Nakai, K. Ishiyama, J. Yamasaki, "Study of hysteresis for steplike giant magnetoimpedance sensor based onmagnetic energy," Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, vol.320(2008), pp.e958-e962.
[3] S. Hashi, M. Toyoda, S. Yabukami, K. Ishiyama, Y. Okazaki, K. I. Arai, H. Kanetaka, "Wireless magnetic motion
capture system using multiple LC resonant magnetic markers with high accuracy," Sensors and Actuators A: Physical,
Vol. 142, No. 2, pp. 520-527 (2008).

24

Contact to Professor Kazushi ISHIYAMA㧦ishiyama@riec.tohoku.ac.jp

2008 Human Information Systems Division
Advanced Acoustic Information Systems

Development of next generation communication systems[Research Target and Activities]
Since human beings can be regarded as theextreme source and recipient of information inany communication systems. Therefore, todevelop advanced acoustic communication
systems, good knowledge of human auditory
system as well as multimodal perception
relating to hearing is essential. The maininterest of this laboratory is thus a study of theinformation processing in the human auditory
system. Moreover, in recent years, we have been
devoting a lot of effort to investigate humanmulti-modal information processing including
hearing. We are, at the same time, aiming at
the realization of a 'comfortable' soundFig. 1 Application for training spatial cognition
environment
exploiting
digitalsignalbased on high-definition virtual auditory display
processing techniques. Three-dimensional soundimage control by high-definition virtual auditory displays based on simulating transfer functions ofsound paths from sound sources to listeners' external ears, and a sound field simulator based on
precise sound field analysis and control are two examples. These systems are expected to provide ahigh-quality 3D virtual sound space, which is keenly required to realize in the multimedia
communications, cyberspace systems and supre-definition audio-visual display systems. Moreover, in
2008, we put a lot of efforts to investigate the spaciotemporal integration process of audio-visual andaudio-vestibular information.
Furthermore, in 2008, we developed new signal processing algorithms of digital watermarking,advanced digital hearing aids, and high-performance two-stage binaural speech enhancement.
[Staff]
Professor: SUZUKI, Yôiti Dr.
Associate Professor: IWAYA, Yukio Dr.
Assistant Professor: SAKAMOTO, Shuichi Dr, and MIYAUCHI, Ryota Dr.
Technical Official: SAITO, Fumitaka
Research Fellow: KOBAYASHI, Maori Dr., TERAMOTO, Wataru Dr., and OTANI Makoto Dr.
[Papers]x Satoshi Yairi, Yukio Iwaya and Yôiti Suzuki: “Influence of large system latency of virtual auditory display
on behavior of head movement in sound localization task,” Acta Acusitca united with Acustica, 94 (6),1016-1023, 2008
x Akihiro Tanaka, Shuichi Sakamoto, Komi Tsumura and Yôiti Suzuki: “Visual speech improves theintelligibility of time-expanded auditory speech,” Neuroreport, 20 (5) 473-477, 2009x Junfeng Li, Shuichi Sakamoto, Satoshi Hongo, Masato Akagi and Yôiti Suzuki: “Adaptive ǃ-order
generalized spectral subtraction for speech enhancement,” Signal Processing, 88 (11), 2764-2777, 2008
x H. Wang, R. Nishimura, Y. Suzuki and L. Mao: “Fuzzy self-adaptive digital audio watermarking based ontime-spread echo hiding,” Applied Acoustics, 69 (10), 868-874, 2008

Contact to Professor Yôiti SUZUKI㧦suzuki@ais.riec.tohoku.ac.jp25

2008 Human Information Systems Division
Visual Cognition and Systems

Vision sciences for visual communication[Research Target and Activities]
In order to realize human oriented information
communication systems and visual environments gentle tohumans, it is necessary to understand the functions of thehuman visual system. The aims of visual cognition andsystems laboratories are to investigate on vision functions in
the human brain and to apply the knowledge to humanfactors and image sciences.
1. Parallel motion mechanisms
We have been studying on the two types of motion
detectors using motion aftereffect with different
spatiotemporal properties. This year we published an article
that made clearly that sensitivity of the slow and fast motion
detectors are different in spatiotemporal frequency, stimulus
orientation, but they are not different in the effect ofattention and speed. We also found that motion detecting system in vision is related to haptic
movements. This could impact the field of vision science with some more detailed investigation since
this suggests that the visual process does not simply process visual information.
2. Binocular integration of motion and color signals
There are two binocular process for perception of motion in depth. We revealed that these twoprocesses are different in terms of temporal property. The motion-in-depth process that uses
interocular velocity differences is sensitive to relatively higher temporal frequency than the one thatuses disparity change in time. This indicates that these two process work complementary: one detects
high speed motion and the other detects low speed motion. We also revealed that there is a binocularcolor process that integrates color information from the two eyes when the colors from the two eyes are
similar (binocular AND system).
[Staff]
Professor:
SHIOIRI, Satoshi Dr.
Associate Professor:
KURIKI, Ichiro Dr.
Assistant Professor:
MATSUMIYA, Kazumichi Dr.
[Profile of professor SHIOIRI]Professor Shioiri graduated Tokyo Institute of Technology and received Dr. Eng in 1986. He was a
postdoctoral researcher at University of Montreal from 1986 to 1989. From June of 1989 to April of
1990, he was a research fellow at Auditory and Visual Perception Laboratories of Advanced
Telecommunications Research Institute. He moved to Chiba University at May of 1990, where he spent
15 years as an assistant professor, an associate professor, and a professor of Department of Image
Sciences Department of Image, Information Sciences and Department of Medical Systems. In 2005, hemoved to Tohoku University. Since then, he has been a professor of Research Institute of ElectricalCommunication of Tohoku University. His research interests cover early, middle and high level vision,
including motion perception, depth perception, color vision, visual attention, eye movements, modelingof visual functions and comparison of the conscious and unconscious vision processes.
[1]

S. Shioiri, and K. Matsumiya, “Motion mechanisms with different spatiotemporal characteristics
identified by an MAE technique with superimposed gratings” Journal of Vision, vol. 9, no 5, article
30, pp. 1-15, May. 2009.
S. Shioiri, T. Nakajima, D. Kakehi et al., “Differences in temporal frequency tuning between the twobinocular mechanisms for seeing motion in depth,” J Opt Soc Am A Opt Image Sci Vis, vol. 25, no. 7,
pp. 1574-85, Jul, 2008.
Y. Watanabe, T. Kezuka, K. Harasawa , M. Usui, S Shioiri and H. Yaguchi., “A new method forassessing motion-in-depth perception in strabismic patients,” Br J Ophthalmol, vol. 92, no. 1, pp.
47-50, Jan, 2008.

[2]

[3]

26

Contact to Professor Satoshi SHIOIRI㧦shioiri@riec.tohoku.ac.jp

2008 Human Information Systems DivisionInterdisciplinary field for informatics

Fabrication and Application of Plasmonic Ag Nanosheet[Research Target and Activities]
The interdisciplinary field of research combining nanobiotechnology and information technology
attracts our exceeding interests. These studies stand on the development of new materials created by
self-assembly of functional molecules and nanomaterials, leading to new classes of biosensing devices.
The plasmons, especially the combination of surface plasmons propagating along the metal-organicinterface and local surface plasmons on metal nanoparticles is crucial to control and manipulate
localized light in nanoscale for nanosensing.
Fig.1 shows our latest research subject concerning"Plasmonic Ag nanosheet". Uniformly sized Ag nanoparticles(d = 5 nm) form a homogeneous monolayer composed of
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Ç™Ç±ÇÃÉsÉNÉ`ÉÉÇ¾å©ÇÈÇžÇ½Ç…ÇÕïKóvÇ-Ç ÅB
two-dimensional (2D) crystalline domains at air-waterinterface by self-assembly, in which the distance between Ag
cores is accurately controlled by the thickness of the capping
organic molecules. The nanosheet exhibits a significant
red-shift of plasmon absorption band from the position indispersion solution, while the peak width was rather reduced(sharpened) as an evidence of homogeneous coupling of local
plasmons. This flexible, transferable nanosheet, which cantrap and transport bulk light at nano-interface, promises new
application in the field of bio- and organic devices.
Reversible work function change of gold electrode byphotoisomerization of azobenzene self-assembled monolayers
has been investigated by UPS in Singapore synchrotron
Fig.1 Plasmonic Ag nanosheet
facilities as well.
[Staff]
Professor: TAMADA Kaoru Dr.㧔from Oct. 㧞㧜㧜㧣㧕
[Profile of Professor TAMADA]
1984 B.S.chemistry, Nara Women’s University, 1984-1991 JSR Co. Ltd. Tokyo and Tsukuba research
center. 1991-1993 University of Wisconsin-Madison. 1994 Dr of science, Nara Women’s University,
1994-1995 RIKEN frontier international program. 1995-2004 National institute of materials andchemical research (NIMC) and National institute of advanced industrial science and technology (AIST).
1997 Australian national university, 1998-1999 Max-planck institute for polymer research, 2001-2004
National University of Singapore. 2003-2004 Group Leader, Bio-photonics group, Research instituteof photonics, AIST. 2005-2007 Associate professor, Department of electronic chemistry, Tokyo instituteof technology. 2006-date Adjunct professor, Department of physics, NUS, Singapore. 2007-dateProfessor, Research institute of electrical communication, Tohoku university.
[Papers][1] Bioapplication of plasmonic nanosheet (invited paper), K. Tamada, M. Michioka, X. Li, Y. Ikezoe, M. Saito, K.
Otsuka, Proc. of SPIE, 7213, 72130E (2009).
[2] Reversible work function changes induced by photoisomerization of asymmetric azobenzene dithiol
self-assembled monolayers on gold, L.F.N.A.Qune, H. Akiyama, T. Nagahiro, K. Tamada, A.T. S. Wee, Apply. Phys.
Lett.,93, 083109-1-083109-3 (2008).
[3] Coordination of Carboxylate on Metal Nanoparticles Characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, P.
Wulandari, T. Nagahiro, K. Michioka, K. Tamada, K. Ishibashi, Y. Kimura, M. Niwano, Chem. Lett.,37(8), 888-889(2008).
Contact to Professor Kaoru TAMADA㧦tamada@riec.tohoku.ac.jp27

2008 Human Information Systems Division
Ubiquitous Communications system

Research and Development on Super Broadband Wireless Communications[Research Target and Activities](Aims)To realize communications environments in which everybody can communicate with anybody,
anywhere and anytime by carrying out researches from radio propagation characteristics to radio
equipment with which customers can communicate universally.
To contribute to materialize or to lead IEEE standardization based on “Japanese technologies”(Achievements)
To realize Multi-Gigabit per second transmission by employing millimeter wave (60GHz) indoor WPAN
(Wireless Personal Area Networks) systems, a lot of measurements and experiments have been doneon antenna directivity / beam width, delay spreads, reflective waves by walls and metals (orequivalents) and they have lead to the inventions of simultaneous multiple signal path tracking(including the intentionally created paths) and dynamic path selection to enhance communications
reliability. Also, a lot of physical layers have been studied, designed and simulated to develop robust
WPAN systems in various and practical fading environments. Moreover, ultra high speed MAC(Medium Access Control) has been designed and developed for high throughput multi-Gigabit WPAN.
Through organizing a Consortium (COMPA, Chair: Professor Shuzo Kato) (22 active members) andgetting a group of supporting COMPA as Partners (17 non-Japanese institutes), a global andharmonized IEEE standardization (IEEE802.15.3c) has been executed successfully (thestandardization has been finalized in September 2009). This is the first successful standardization of“Japanese organization driven IEEE standardization and it will a good role model of IEEE
standardization for Japanese industry.
[Staff]
Professor Shuzo Kato, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Hiroyuki Nakase, Ph.D.
[Profile of Professor Shuzo Kato]
Prof. Shuzo Kato received his Ph. D degree in electrical and communications engineering from Tohoku University,
Sendai Japan in 1977. From 1977 to 1995, he worked at NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone) Research Laboratories
in Japan, specializing personal and satellite communications systems R&D. He founded Pacific Communications
Research Corp. focusing on ASIC, SW and system design for PCS In 1995, at the same time he served as Senior
Executive Vice President, and later as President of Uniden Corporation. From January 1999 to July 2001, he served as
Executive Vice President, Mitsubishi Wireless Communications Inc (MWCI) in USA, as well as President, Mobile
Communications Technology Center of MWCI in San Diego, CA responsible for mobile phone technology development
up to real/sellable and high yield cell phones with all certificates (FCC, CTIA and inter-operability). From 2002 to 2005,
he served as Executive Vice President of Teradyne Japan responsible for P/L, Engineering, Production and Global
Marketing as well as President and CEO of Omni Wireless Inc., in California, USA.
He currently is Professor, Research Institute of Electrical Communications, Tohoku University, Japan, Program
Coordinator, Ubiquitous Mobile Communications at NICT (National Institute of Information and Communications
Technology) working on wireless communications systems R&D focusing on millimeter wave communications systems.
He has been serving as Vice-chair of IEEE802.15.3c Task Group working on millimeter wave systems standardization
and Chair of COMPA (Consortium of Millimeter Wave Systems Practical Applications) promoting millimeter wave
systems globally. He has published over 200 technical papers, held over 75 patents (including a patent which became
DOD (Department of Defense, USA) standard in 1998), co-founded International Symposium on Personal Indoor andMobile Radio Communications (PIMRC). He is a Fellow of the IEEE and IEICE Japan and served as an Editor of IEEE
Transaction on Communications, Chairman of Satellite and Space Communications Committee, COMSOC IEEE, a
Board Member of IEICE Japan.

[Papers][1] Shuzo Kato㧘̌A Dream Comes True: Multi-Gbps Millimeter Wave PAN Getting into Commercialization̍ Proc. 2008
Global Symposium on Millimeter Waves (GSMM2008) April, 2008
[2] R. Funada, S-C. Sean, T. Baykas, J. Wang, M A. Rahman, H. Harada, S. Kato‫"ޔ‬Modulation and coding performances
in IEEE802.15.3cSingle carrier PHY "‫ޔ‬IEICE Technical Report‫ޔ‬RCS‫ޔ‬Aug. 2008.
[3] Z. Lan, C-W Pyo, F. Kojima, H. Nakase, H., S. Kato, "System Throughput Optimization by Link Adaptation on
Millimeter Wave WPAN", IEICE Technical Report‫ޔ‬RCS‫ޔ‬Aug. 2008.

28

Contact to Professor Shuzo KATO㧦shukato@riec.tohoku.ac.jp

2008      

Systems & Software Division

Research Targets and Activities of Systems & Software Division The goal of System & Software Division is to realize the Ubiquitous environment. In an
ideal ubiquitous environment, everyone can communicate with anybody, anywhere, at any
time, with any kind of information, freely and in real time. Our division has the following 5
research fields related to such high-level system, software and contents by integrating
computer and communication:Ɇ Software Construction : Reliable and high-level software.
Ɇ Computing Information Theory : Fundamental theory of new software.
Ɇ Communication Network Systems : Symbiotic computing.
Ɇ Information Content : Network-oriented contents management and utilization technology.
Ɇ Structure of Information Society (Visitor Section).
Research results from 2007 Apr. to 2008 Mar. in each field are described later. The summaryis as follows.

(1) Software Construction
We have been researching on theoretical foundations for flexible yet reliable
programming languages, and have been conducting a development project of SML#, a newprogramming language in the ML family, that embodies some of our recent results such as
more flexible static typing and high-degree of interoperability with existing languages anddatabases. The last year's major results include the following. (1) Development of a new proof
system based on the proof theory for machine code we developed in the previous year. This
proof system yields a term calculus suitable for compiler intermediate representations and acompilation algorithm that deals with control flow merge without resorting to ad-hoc
encoding. (2) Development of the SML# Compiler. In this year, we have developed a prototype
code generator and a new runtime system.

(2) Computing Information Theory
Aiming at combining program transformation methods and automated theorem proving
methods, we continued to pursue the possibility of program transformation by second-ordertemplates based on term rewriting. We proposed a second-order generalization algorithm andbased on this, we implemented a method to extract second-order templates from concrete
program transformations.

Although many automated termination provers have been

proposed recently, little work is reported on automated confluence provers. We developed an
automatedconfluence

divide-and-conquer
decomposition.

provermethods

ACP
such

for
as

term
directrewritingsum

systems

decomposition

based

on

severalandcommutative

Other research results of this year include a new automated lemma29      

2008

Systems & Software Division

generation method for rewriting induction with disproof and a new termination proof forhigher-order rewriting systems with recursive path relations.

(3) Communication Network Systems
We have studied new management schemes for next generation ubiquitous networks(SCOPE project, 2007-2009, Ministry of Internal Affairs and  Communications) andpromoted standardization activities in IETF WG. As an outcome of this work, our proposedidea of “NEMO Management Information Base” becomes the final draft standard in January
2009. It will be an official Internet standard (RFC) in a couple of months. In the field of“Symbiotic computing”, we have investigated the details of its model and architecture, andhave developed some prototype systems, such as supervisory support system for elderly
people (uEyes). We were invited for four keynote speeches and one invited paper inwell-known international conferences. We have also received a Best Paper Award in adomestic workshop. Moreover, we also issued a press release on real/cyber space integration
experiment in July 2008 that had attracted wide press coverage.

(4) Information Content
We have been developing creation technologies, retrieval technologies and distribution
technologies for information content. We are developing DMD(Ditital Movie Director), whichmakes it possible to generate 3DCG animation content only by text (scenario) input, and AR(augmented reality)-based cloth fitting technology etc about creation technologies. As
retrieval technologies, we are studying a high-performance video shot boundary detection
technology, similar image retrieval technology based on PCA-SIFT and so forth. Besides, weare proposing a new cyclic broadcasting method and an overlay multicast technology for
low-cost & high-performance video distribution.

(5) Structure of Information Society“Numerical simulation technologies by ultra high performance computing” is a powerfulmeasure to encourage human innovative activities in the human society. Our research focuseson the basic technologies to make it spread across the world. We have obtained a basic designof special purpose processor to accelerate the speed of fluid simulation which can be widely
applicable to the various fields. The computing is expected to be done with ultra high speed
and with low power consumption by using compact-size electric circuits. We have adopted asimple algorithm of lattice gas automaton and a systolic array of operation circuits. In
addition, we have bright perspective to attain much lower power consumption by using “spinoperation circuits with TMR devices” proposed by Professor Hanyu of RIEC.

30

2008 Systems & Software Division
Software Construction

Foundations for Developing High-level and Reliable Programming Languages[Research Target and Activities]
Today's software systems are becoming more and more complicated due to the need of integrating
various computation resources available in the Internet. A key to control the complexity and toenhance the reliability of such a system is to develop a high-level programming language that candirectly represent various resources and automatically detect potential inconsistencies among thecomponents in a system. Based on this general observation, our research aims at establishing both
firm theoretical basis and implementation method for flexible yet reliable programming languages foradvanced applications. Research topics on theoretical foundations include: logical foundations forcompilation, verification of low-level code, and type-directed compilation for polymorphic languages.
We are also developing a new practical ML-style programming language, SML#, which embodies someof our recent results such as record polymorphism, rank-1 polymorphism, and high-degree ofinteroperability with existing languages and databases.
The major results of 2008 academic year include the following. (1) Development of a new calculus forrepresenting control flow merge. In existing formalisms such as A-normal forms or CPS terms, control
flow merge is treated in an ad-hoc way by introducing extra beta-redex. This seems to be due to thelack of proper formalism for representing case expression in the underlying calculi. In this work, we
refine the correspondence between the sequent calculus and A-normal forms shown by one of theauthors, and develop a proof system where control flow merge is directly represented as a logical rulefor disjunction. These results yield a term calculus suitable for compiler intermediate representations
and a compilation algorithm that deals with control flow merge without resorting to ad-hoc encoding.
These results scale up to intermediate languages for practical compilers. The proposed calculus has
been successfully used as an intermediate language of the SML# compiler. (2) Development of the
SML# Compiler. In this year, we have developed a prototype code generator and a new runtime
system.
[Staff]
Professor: OHORI Atsushi Dr.㧔2005-㧕
Assistant Professor: SASANO Isao Dr.㧔2005-2008㧕
Secretary: OTOMO Shoko[Profile of Professor OHORI]
Professor Atsushi Ohori was born in 1957. He received his BA degree in Philosophy from University ofTokyo, 1981; received his MSE degree in Computer and Information Science from University ofPennsylvania, 1986; and received his Ph.D. degree in Computer and Information Science from
University of Pennsylvania, 1989. He worked for Oki Electric Industry as a programmer, a researcher
and a senior researcher from 1981 until 1993. From 1989 until 1990, he spent one year in University ofGlasgow as a postdoctoral research fellow funded by Royal Society Research Fellowship. In 1993, hejoined Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Kyoto University as an Associate Professor. In
2000, he joined Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology as a Professor. In 2005, he moved
to RIEC, Tohoku University as a Professor.
[Papers][1] Katsuhiro Ueno, Atsushi Ohori, An Optimized Type Inference Algorithm with Lazy Type Substitution,
Computer Software, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp 101-113, 2008 (in Japanese)[2] Katsuhiro Ueno, Atsushi Ohori, A Calculus for Merging Control Flows, IPSJ Transactions on
Programming, Vol. 1, No 3, pp 19-33, 2008 (in Japanese)

Contact to Professor Atsushi OHORI㧦ohori@riec.tohoku.ac.jp

31

2008 Systems & Software Division
Computing Information Theory

Towards a New Software Paradigm Arising from Computation and Proof[Research Target and Activities]
We are working on the development of a new software paradigm that arises from computation andproof. For this, we focus on a rewriting formalism which offers both flexible and effective reasoning
with equations. In the rewriting formalism, proofs by equational reasoning and computations by
rewriting systems can be combined in a unified framework (see the figure above). We aim at applying
our new paradigm to the development of formal techniques for construction and verification of reliable
software. We are currently working on rewriting theories for termination, confluence, programtransformation, and program verification. Recent research activities include higher-order rewriting
systems, automated inductive theorem proving, combination of functional-logic languages andautomated theorem proving systems.

[Staff]
Professor 㧦TOYAMA, Yoshihito Dr
Associate Professor 㧦AOTO, Takahito Dr
Assistant Professor 㧦KIKUCHI, Kentaro Dr
Research Fellow 㧦KETEMA, Jeroen Dr[Profile of Professor TOYAMA]
Yoshihito Toyama was born in 1952. He received his B.E. from Niigata University in 1975, and his M.E.
and D.E. from Tohoku University in 1977 and 1990. He worked as a Research Scientist at NTT
Laboratories from 1977 to 1993, and as a Professor at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science andTechnology (JAIST) from 1993 to 2000. Since April 2000, he has been a professor at the ResearchInstitute of Electrical Communication (RIEC) of Tohoku University. His research interests includes
term rewriting systems, program theory, and automated theorem proving.
[Papers]
ާ1ިJean-Pierre Jouannaud and Yoshihito Toyama,   Modular Church-Rosser Modulo: The Complete Picture, International Journal of Software and Informatics, Vol.2, No.1, pp.61-75, 2008.
ާ2ިTakahito Aoto,  Designing a rewriting induction prover with an increased capability of non-orientable theorems,
In Proceedings of Austrian-Japanese Workshop on Symbolic Computation in Software Science (SCSS 2008),
Hagenberg, Austria, pp.1-15, 2008.
ާ3ިKentaro Kikuchi,  Call-by-name reduction and cut-elimination in classical logic,Annals of Pure and Applied Logic,
Vol.153, No.1-3, pp.38-65, 2008.

32

Contact to Professor Yoshihito TOYAMA㧦toyama@nue.riec.tohoku.ac.jp

2008 Systems & Software Division
Communication Network Systems

Information Communication Systems based on Symbiotic Computing
Symbiotic Computing Space[Research Target and Activities]
Aiming towards the next generation ubiquitousSocial aspect
stage we are pursuing a research on information
Human aspect䋨Social Computing䋩and communication paradigm, called “Symbiotic (Human-centered Computing)
Mobility(Mobile Computing)computing”. The purpose of this work is to establish
a method comprising of flexible information andUbiquitous Information Environmet
Flexible Computing
telecommunication system with the co-existence ofUbiquitous Computing
human and IT environment. This computing
Symbiotic Computing
paradigm operates with stability while satisfying
Pervasivenessuser and system provider’s criteria. We have been
(Pervasive Computing)promoting both theoretical and practical researches
Concept of Symbiotic Computingof Symbiotic computing based on the concept offlexible information network where human and IT
environment co-exist. Our focus also includes performance evaluation of super-high-speed network
and its efficient management.
(1) Symbiotic computing: Theory and application.
(2) Symbiotic society and health-care/watch-over support/real-cyber space integration(3) Measurement/analysis of super-high-speed wide-area networks, and mobile network management.
In 2008, for Symbiotic computing research, we have studied model and architecture of Symbiotic
computing in detail. We also issued a press release on real/cyber space integration experiment in Jul.
2008. For network management research, we have investigated IPv6 network mobility support anddesigned a MIB specialized in network mobility. We also promoted standardization activities in IETF
Working Group and proposed the final draft standard of “NEMO Management Information Base” inJan. 2009. This draft will be an official internet standard (RFC) in a couple of months.

[Staff]
Professor: SHIRATORI, Norio Dr.
Associate Professor: SUGANUMA, Takuo Dr.
Research Associate: KOIDE, Kazuhide Dr. (until Jan. 2008)
Secretary: MIURA Kana, MORIYA Kaori[Profile of Professor SHIRATORI]
Prof. Shiratori was bone in 1946 in Miyagi Prefecture. He received his doctoral degree from Tohoku
University in 1977. He is currently a Professor at RIEC. Before moving to RIEC in 1993, he was theProfessor of Information Engineering at Tohoku University from 1990 to 1993. Prior to that, he served
as an Associate Professor and Research Associate at RIEC. He received IEEE Fellow in 1998, IPSJ
Fellow in 2000 and IEICE Fellow in 2002. He is the recipient of many awards including, IPSJ
Memorial Prize Wining Paper Award in 1985, IPSJ Best Paper Award in 1996, IPSJ Contribution
Award in 2007, IEICE Achievement Award in 2001, IEICE Best Paper Award, IEEE ICOIN-11 Best
Paper Award in 1997, IEEE ICOIN-12 Best Paper Award in 1998, IEEE ICPADS Best Paper Award in
2000, IEEE 5-th WMSCI Best Paper Award in 2001, UIC-07 Outstanding Paper Award in 2007,
Telecommunication Advancement Foundation Incorporation Award in 1991, Tohoku Bureau of
Telecommunications Award in 2002, etc. He was the vice president of IPSJ in 2002, IFIP
representative from Japan in 2002, an associate member of Science Council of Japan in 2007. He is
working on methodology and technology for symbiosis of human and IT environment.
[Papers][1] Norio Shiratori, Debasish Chakraborty, Hideyuki Takahashi, Takuo Suganuma, “Looking beyond Ubiquitous Information Society㧙A new step towards Human-Computer Symbiosis,” Fourth International Conference on Intelligent Computing and Information
Keynote Speech>
Systems (ICICIS), 2009 . <K
Keynote Speech>[2] Norio Shiratori, “Towards Symbiosis Information Society,” 2008 International Computer Symposium, 2008. <K[3] Norio Shiratori, “Post Modern Ubiquitous Information Society 㧙Bridging the gap between human and computer㧙“, Proc. of2008 WSEAS International Conference on Computers, 2008. <IInvited Speech>

Contact to Professor Norio SHIRATORI㧦norio@shiratori.riec.tohoku.ac.jp

33

2008 Systems & Software Division
Information Contents

Creation, Understanding, Distribution andConsumption of Next-generation Digital Content[Research Target and Activities]
In our laboratory, we developed new technologies this fiscal year.
1, Automatic Character Positioning Method in DMD
We developed automatic character positioning method in DMD(DigitalMovie Director), which is innovative and useful because user does nothave to think of three dimensional CG space.
2. A Cyclic Broadcasting Method for NVoD for IPTV era We developed a new broadcast scheduling method for end user to
distribute their video content with their PC and network resources. The
features of this method is to own network-error resilience.
3㧚A New Cloth Simulation Method based on Complex Systems
A light-weight cloth simulation system is thought of as one of the most difficult implementations in
CG field. We developed a new cloth simulation algorithm based on the theory of complex systems, thefeature of which is a light-weight processing.
4. An Intuitive Character Motion Creation System
 In general, character motion creation is difficult to generate for most of CG creators. We developed a
new system based on arrow-input interface. CG creators can generate new motions more and moreeasily by this system.
5㧚High-performance Video shot Boundary Detection Technology
 Existing shot boundary detection methods are difficult to detect all of shot boundaries exactly. This
is why we proposed a new approach to handle numerous video features based on multivariate statistics.
This method showed our proposal to detect most of shot boundaries which existing methods are
difficult to detect.
[Staff]
Professor 㧦 NUMAZAWA, Junji Dr.
Associate Professor 㧦 AOKI, Terumasa Dr.
Secretary㧦 MUTO Nobuko[Profile of Professor Numazawa, Junji]
Junji Numazawa received the M.E., and Ph.D degrees in electronics engineering from Hokkaido
University, Sapporo, Japan, in 1971, and 1994, respectively. He joined NHK(Japan Broadcasting
Corp.) in 1971. He was Director of the Science and Technical Research Laboratories of NHK in June
1996, Director of Engineering Administration Department of NHK in June 1999, Executive ResearchEngineer of Science and Technical Research Laboratories of NHK in June 2002. Since 2004, he has
been a Professor at the RIEC and GSIS of Tohoku University. He receiveďSuzuki Memorial Incentive
Awards̍ and ̌Fujio Frontier Awards̍ of The Institute of Image Information and Television
Engineers (ITE) in 1980 and 1995 respectively, ̌Distinguished Invited Paper Awards̍ ofIUMRS-ICAM-93 in 1993, ̌Person Who Has Rendered Distinguished Service Awards̍ of Tokyo
Metropolitan Government in 2003.  Dr. Numazawa is a Fellow of the Institute of Image Information
and Television Engineers (ITE).
[Papers][1]Terumasa AOKI and Hiroshi YASUDA, ” Automatic Movie Generation System by Scenario Input
and its Creation Process”, Journal of IPSJ(Information Processing Society of Japan), Vol.49, No.6,
2008..(in Japanese)[2]Terumasa AOKI, “Trends of the Latest “Scenario to Anime” Technologies towards the Video CGM
Age”, Education Column Pages, Journal of IEICE(the Institute of Electronics, Information andCommunication Engineering),
34

Contact to Professor Junji NUMAZAWA㧦numazawa@riec.tohoku.ac.jp

2008 Systems & Software Division
Research area on the structure of information society

Numerical Simulation Technologies by ultra high performance computing
as a measure to encourage human innovative activities[Research Target and Activities]“Numerical simulation technologies by ultra high performance computing” is a powerful measure
to encourage human innovative activities in the human society. Our research focuses on the basic
technologies to make the measure spread across the world.
In 2008, we studied on the design of special processors to accelerate the speed of fluid simulation
which can be widely applicable to the various fields such as cooling systems of Fast Breeder Reactors,
positioning systems of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, and so on. The main target of the design is toattain ultra high computing speed, very low power consumption and compact in size. For this purpose
we have adopted a very simple simulation model of lattice gas automaton. The model is so simple thatthe recursive computation based on it does not need the complicated calculation such as multiplication
with floating-point representation, and that the power consumption by the relevant electric circuits
can be kept low. We have completed a basic design of the Compact Simulator for fluid dynamics.
In addition, we have bright perspective to attain much lower power consumption by using “spinoperation circuits with TMR devices” proposed by Professor Hanyu of RIEC.
㪚㫆㫄㫇㪸㪺㫋㩷㪪㫀㫄㫌㫃㪸㫋㫆㫉㩷㪽㫆㫉㩷㪽㫃㫌㫀㪻㩷㪛㫐㫅㪸㫄㫀㪺㫊㩷
㪎㪋㪇㪇

಴
ญ
㈩
▤

Measurement data
Interface౉ญ㈩▤㪛㫀㫊㫇㫃㪸㫐

ReactorἹᔃcore㪭㫀㫊㫌㪸㫃㫀㫑㪸㫋㫀㫆㫅

㱂
㪈㪇㪎㪇㪇

Note-size computer

Observa tion da ta

䂾 㪛㪸㫋㪸㩷㫇㫉㫆㪺㪼㫊㫊㫀㫅㪾㩷㪽㫆㫉㩷㫍㫀㫊㫌㪸㫃㫀㫑㪸㫋㫀㫆㫅

Fluid calculation㪚㫆㫅㫋㫉㫆㫃㩷㪻㪸㫋㪸㪘㪺㪺㪼㫃㪼㫉㪸㫋㫀㫅㪾㩷㪹㫆㪸㫉㪻䂾 㪝㪼㪼㪻㪹㪸㪺㫂㩷㪺㫆㫅㫋㫉㫆㫃㩷㪹㫐㩷㫄㪼㪸㫊㫌㫉㪼㫄㪼㫅㫋㩷㪻㪸㫋㪸High-speed calculation circuits
bit4,0010

Memory Read
3-D lattice gas model
10
Z
23

5,6

21
9

3,4

18

20

13,14

17

15,16
1,2
19

bit2,0000

S4= <<12

bit3,0001

bit4,0000

bit3,00-11

bi40,001-1
bit4,000-1

S3= <<4M4=000F

bit1,0011

bit2,00-10

bit3,0000

S2= >>4

M3=00F0

bit1,0001

bit2,000-1

bit3,00-10

S1= >>12

M2=0F00

bit1,0010

bit2,00-1-1

M1=F000

bit1,0000

X
and
and

and
and

and
and

and
and

12

shift
shift
shift
shift
shift
shift
shift
shift
24
22
[Staff]7,8
Y
11 MATSUOKA Hiroshi Dr.
or
or
or
or
䋨
䋨㰿
䋩or
䋨
䋨㰿
䋩or
䋨㰿䋩
㰿䋩 or
䋨㰿䋩
䋨㰿䋩
㰿䋩 or
䋨㰿䋩
Visiting Professor
DD1
DD2
DD3
DD4
Technical Assistant Staff: KIKUCHI Noriko[Profile of Professor MATSUOKA]
Hiroshi MATSUOKA received his B.E. and M.E. from Tokyo University, Japan, in 1977 and 1979,
respectively, and Dr. Eng. from Ibaraki University, Japan, in 1997. From 1979, he worked for Scienceand Technology Agency of Japanese Government, and transferred to Ministry of Industry andInternational Trade, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, National Institute of Metal, IAEA (International
Atomic Energy Agency), Tohoku University and so on.
[Papers]
No papers in 2008

Contact to Professor Hiroshi MATSUOKA㧦matsuoka@riec.tohoku.ac.jp35      

2008

Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics
The Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics of the Research Institute ofElectrical Communication was established in 2004. Its purpose is to develop andestablish the science and technology of nanoelectronics and spintronics for information
technology, utilizing the facilities installed in the Nanoelectronics-and-Spintronics
building having 1300 m2 of cleanroom area. The Laboratory for Nanoelectronics andSpintronics consists of four Sections:
Atomically Controlled Processing (Junichi Murota, Professor)
Semiconductor Spintronics (Hideo Ohno, Professor)
Nano-Molecular Devices (Michio Niwano, Professor)
Nano-Spin Memory (Shoji Ikeda, Associate Professor)
These Sections cooperatively carry out the research aimed at establishingnanoelectronics and spintronics, together with the groups of Intelligent
Nano-Integration System (Koji Nakajima, Professor), Quantum-optical Information
Technology (Keiichi Edamatsu, Professor), and Ultra-Broadband Signal Processing(Taiichi Otsuji, Professor) and with the research groups of the Institute, the Graduate
School of Engineering, the Graduate School of Information Science, Tohoku University,and nation-wide cooperative research projects in the field.

36      

2008

Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

Highlights of Research Activities in 2008:
Atomically Controlled Processing [Murota Laboratory]
In order to create atomically controlled processing for nanometer-order artificial
heterostructures of group IV semiconductors, following experimental results have beenobtained: (1) In the research on atomic-layer doping with high carrier concentration,
low-temperature SiH4 exposure to suppress B clustering in thermal CVD is effective toimprove electrical activity and to suppress lattice strain in Si. (2) By lowering processtemperature utilizing plasma CVD without substrate heating, B atomic-layer doping in Si
epitaxial growth. (3) In the research on formation of local-strain introduced Si1-xGex/Si
nanometer-order heterostructure, by control of thermal nitridation and Si1-xGex film formation
using low-temperature thermal CVD, N atomic-layer doping in Si1-xGex epitaxial growth canbe realized. (4) Using the Ge thin film substrate with strain relaxation enhancement by
ion-energy control in plasma CVD, formed by plasma CVD, nanometer-order thick highly
strained Si can be epitaxially grown.

Semiconductor Spintronics [Ohno Laboratory]
Our research activities focus on the establishment of the fundamental technologies for
future spintronic devices. The outcomes in the last fiscal year are following. (1) We
demonstrated the modulation of magnetic anisotropy in a (Ga,Mn)As thin film by purely
electrical means, e.g., by the application of electric-fields. (2) We demonstrated phasecoherence control of spin-3/2 75As nuclei with multipulse NMR sequences in a GaAs/AlGaAsquantum well by optically-detected nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). (3) We demonstrated
the operation of terahertz (THz) GaAs quantum cascade lasers emitting at 3.8 THz. We also
observed intersubband optical transitions in ZnO-based quantum wells for the first time.

Nano-Molecular Devices [Niwano Laboratory]
ԘWe investigated the dependence of anodization process of an aluminum microwire on its
cross-sectional structure.  The anodization process of an aluminum microwire depended
strongly on the aspect ratio of the cross-sectional profile of the aluminum microwire. ԙSingle
electron transistors (SETs) were fabricated by controlling anodization process of the aluminum
microwire and we demonstrated that the SET fabricated by anodization process can operate atroom temperature. ԙPlanar bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) were formed in microfabricatedapertures in Si chips. We have succeeded in preparing BLMs which are stable enough for
repetitive solution exchanges and allow current recordings at the single-channel level.ԚWe
have applied our surface infrared spectroscopic method for in situ real-time monitoring of ATP
synthesis and hydrolysis in mitochondria extracted for rat livers.

Intelligent Nano-Integration System [Nakajima Laboratory](1) By using high-order synapses for an inverse function delayed neural network, we37      

2008

Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

demonstrated that an optimal solution for the traveling salesman problem is obtained as astationary state similar to the N-Queen problems. Furthermore, we have also proposed a new
analysis for nonlinear dynamics, in which a new concept based on the relationship between apotential and an active region is introduced. (2) We evaluated the quality factor of a Bi-2212
intrinsic Josephson junction from its resonant activation property, and found the requiredcondition for observing Rabi oscillation. We studied numerically the computational power of
our neuromorphic quantum computation algorithm as a function of the magnitude of
decoherence. The result shows that the computational power decreases in proportion todecoherence, but the degradation is smaller than other quantum algorithms. (3) A 4-bit
parallel multiplier using a carry look-ahead adder was demonstrated successfully with Nb
integrated circuits to improve the performance of high-speed operation for the single
flux-quantum fast Fourier transform. A 4-bit high-speed up/down counter for the neuralcomputation using stochastic logic was fabricated and successfully demonstrated.

Quantum-Optical Information Technology [Edamatsu Laboratory]
1䋮Investigation of optical nonlinearities at a single-photon level is essential in realizing
quantum info-communication technology. We have succeeded in measuring the optical Kerr
nonlinearity at the single-photon level in a photonic crystal fiber.
2䋮We are developing a quantum media converter from a single photon to a single electron
spin to realize a quantum repeater, which is expected to extend the transmission distance ofquantum info-communication. We have achieved optical spin state tomography of opticallyinjected electrons in a semiconductor.

Nanospin Memory [Ikeda Laboratory]
We are developing technologies to realize advanced spin memory and logic devices using
magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) consisting of ferromagnetic metal electrodes and insulating
barriers. In our group, the following results were obtained: 1) The TMR ratios of 604% at RT
and 1144% at 5K (world record) were realized in MgO-based MTJs. 2) The use of SyF freelayer consisting of Fe-rich CoFeB ferromagnetic layers resulted in low intrinsic critical current
density (Jc0) without degrading the thermal-stability factor E/kBT. 3) We developed fabrication
process of magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) on circuits based on 0.14 m node CMOS technology.
4) Operations of the world's first nonvolatile full adder based on logic-in-memory architecture,
standby-power-free compact ternary content-addressable memory, and reconfigurable logic
block employing the spin-transfer torque writing method were verified.

Ultra-Broadband Signal Processing [Otsuji Laboratory]
The goal of our research is to explore the terahertz frequency range by means of novel
electron devices and systems. Graphene has mass-less carriers and their peculiar
characteristics are expected to be useful as a candidate to realize such systems. Using an
epitaxial graphene formed on silicon substrates provided by Prof. Suemitsu’s group, we have38      

2008

Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

fabricated a backgate transistor and confirm the drain current modulation by a gate bias
voltage. W have also developed a terahertz spectroscopy system using 2D-plasmon-resonant
terahertz-wave emitters based on compound semiconductor heterostructures.

Basic Technology for Broadband Communication [Mizuno Laboratory]In this section the development of passive millimeter wave imaging

systems is being

carried on. In 2008, millimeter-wave optics for 35 GHz-band imaging system have successfully
been studied to obtain useful data including depth of field for practical systems. A 35
GHz-band 7 x7 imaging array for getting millimeter wave movie with 2 frames/sec has also
been developed.

Wireless Info Tech [Tsubouchi Laboratory]
For realizing radio frequency (RF) filter and oscillator of 5-GHz-band broadband wirelessterminal, we have developed bulk acoustic wave (BAW) device.

Film AlN was manufactured

using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MO-CVD) method.
AlN, film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) was developed.

Using the manufactured

We have evaluated characteristics

of FBAR with computer simulation.

Electromagnetic Bioinformation Engineering [Ishiyama Laboratory]
We study about a high accuracy strain sensor for detecting the bio-information. In the year
2008, the research work about the internal residual stress of the magnetic materials for thissensor was carried out to obtain the high accuracy. As the result, the experimentally obtained
accuracy was one-order higher than the high accuracy semi-conductor strain gage. By using
the technique for controlling the magnetic anisotropy as we already established in themagnetic field sensor, the accuracy of this sensor will be improved.

Solid State Physics [Takahashi Laboratory]
For high areal density HDD (Hard Disk Drive) over 1 Tbit/inch2, achievement of further low

RA product, high magnetoresistance ratio and stable magnetization of pinned layer in tunnel
magnetoresistance devices are required. Regarding the former requirement, RA product of 2.1
ƺPm2 and TMR ratio of 210 % were successfully obtained by employing a novel fabrication
process to promote a MgO tunnel barrier crystallization. And inverse TMR effect could beenhanced using epitaxial Cu under layer. Regarding the latter requirement, ferromagnetic
component which has exchange coupling with antiferromagnet was observed using PEEM
technique as a preliminary study on the design for enhancement of exchange anisotropy. As aresult, correlation between exchange filed and domain structure of ferromagnetic layer in
Mn-Ir / Co-Fe bilayers are experimentally clarified.

Electromagnetic Theory [Yamaguchi Laboratory]
Ni-Fe thin films and Fe particle assembly have been investigated as seeds of new materials

39      

2008

Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

with high performance in the RF(GHz range) applications. The initial permeability
measurements of Fe composite particles suggests that, with the help of Fe3O4 nanoparticle (10nm), Fe particles (1 Pm) is almost free from the demagnetizing field, resulting in enhancementof Fe permeability up to its intrinsic values. This effect was exemplified more significantlywith the particle composites that include Ni50Fe50 or Fe-Si-B-Cr particles. According to a
calculation of the eddy current in spheres with high permeability, reduction of the particle size
to less than 1 Pm is essential for further improvement of the high-frequency performance ofparticle composites.
As for Ni-Fe films, the damping constant(D) of various thick Ni-Fe films was estimatedusing a coplanar waveguide (CPW)-FMR system. It was found that D is almost maintained
constant for film thickness in the range of 10 - 1000 nm. The value of D was 0.012-0.014, whichis larger than that of bulk-Ni-Fe.

Microelectronics [Sahashi Laboratory]
It is important to understand the mechanism of microwave generated by spin transfer
torque which relates to the damping parameter (ǂ) of ferromagnetic material. Experimentally,in this study, a appropriate electrode structures for the measurement of ǂ were investigated.
For the measurement of spin dynamics generated by spin transfer torque, we designed several
masks of coplanar wave guide (CPW) electrode structure which the high frequency cantransmit. The CPW transmission line and attenuation characteristics are evaluated by S11parameter of network analyzer. The CPW transmission line is found to show good noise
attenuation characteristics. The signal reflection is relatively small, being below ï5 dB. The
magnitude of the reflected signal increases progressively with increasing cross section area.
The study on spin torque oscillation and measurement of ǂ for perpendicular magnetized thinfilms will be continued by using the most suitable pattern of electrode for microwave
transmission.

Solid State Electronics [Itoh Laboratory]
High-performance TFTs with pseudo-single-crystal silicon has been investigated. The effects
of a cap SiO2 at the laser crystallization were investigated. The cap SiO2 suppressed thegeneration of void in silicon thin film, and the available condition of the lateral crystallization
was expanded. By using the cap SiO2 thin film, the surface of the laser-crystallized poly-Si
thin film became smooth. The chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) on laser-crystallized
poly-Si thin films was carried out. After CMP with conventional colloidal silica slurry, thesurface of laser-crystallized poly-Si thin films became rougher than that of before CMP.
Carbon segregation in the grain boundary was occurred by the laser crystallization. For the
improvement of this problem, a hydrophilic organic solution was added to conventional slurry.
As a hydrophilic organic solution ethyl alcohol was used, and planarized surface was obtained.
The nanograting MOSFET has been investigated to achieve higher current drivability. The
mobility difference between the nanograting nMOSFET and pMOSFET became slighter, and40      

2008

Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

the area balance of the CMOS circuit could be improved.

Basic Plasma Engineering [Hatakeyama Laboratory]
Unique optical properties of free-standing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) grownby plasma chemical vapor deposition have been investigated. It was found that thephotoluminescence intensity of SWNTs drastically increases through the morphology
transition from completely-isolated to thin-bundled structure. Optoelectrical measurements
have been realized for fullerene (C60) and azafullerene (C59N) encapsulated SWNTs. The
threshold gate voltage to turn on the SWNTs device shifted after the light irradiation. Basedon the investigation of electron donor and acceptor encapsulated SWNTs, the dopant
combination was found to be a critical factor to decide p-n junction features. The hump current
feature can be observed only when a symmetrical depletion layer is formed between a p-njunction area.

Optical Physics Engineering [Yamada Laboratory]
The silicon photonic-wire waveguides, with silicon (Si) core and silica (SiO2) cladding, haveachieved light confinement in nanometer size small cross-section waveguides. Therefore,
compared with all-silica devices, a huge reduction in size and power consumption is expected.
We attempt to fabricate ultra-small Si photonic-wire waveguide devices using electron beamlithography and inductively coupled plasma dry etching techniques. We achieved thefabrication of in-line Bragg gratings with 400 nm cycle and 75 nm air gap, and the directional
couplers with 120 nm gap between waveguides based on 300  300 nm cross-section Si wire
waveguides.

New Intelligence for IC Differentiation Project [Ohmi Laboratory at New Industry
Creation Hatchery Center]
Current drivability improvement of the p-channel MOS transistor is necessary for the
performance enhancement of the CMOS circuit. However, the p+ region of the p-channel MOS
transistor has a problem that the boron is easy to be inactivated by plasma damages.
Therefore, the increase of the resistance in the p+ region becomes limit the current drivabilityof the p-channel MOS transistor. We realize that the formation of the high-quality silicondielectric films at low temperature (<400oC). Those films have approached the electricalcharacteristics of high temperature thermal silicon dielectric films. The low resistivity(<10-9ƺcm2) silicon/silicide contact processes are indispensable to the CMOS circuit
fabrications without plasma damages for the p+ region.

Spin Electronics [Ando Laboratory at Department of Applied Physics]
Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with a half-metallic Co2MnSi Heusler alloy electrode anda high-quality MgO tunneling barrier have been developed. We have succeeded to observe avery large tunnel magneto resistance (TMR) ratio of 217% at RT and 753% at 2K. The

41

      

2008

Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

observed large TMR ratio results from both half-metallicity of Co2MnSi and coherent
tunneling through the crystalline MgO barrier. In addition, we succeeded to suppress
temperature and bias voltage dependence of TMR ratio by inserting a very thin CoFeB layer
into the Co2MnSi/MgO interface.

Superstructured Thin Film Chemistry [Kawasaki Laboratory at Institute forMaterials Research]
One of oxide heterointerfaces, MgZnO/ZnO, can provide an interesting arena forinvestigation of quantum transport properties with high-mobility two-dimensional electrongas (2DEG). We have realized to control the 2DEG density by electrostatic field effect withpolymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) Schottky
contact or MIS structure. In fact, we observed metal-insulator transition at zero magnetic fieldand systematic variation of quantum Hall states as a function of the 2DEG density underapplied magnetic field. The improved controllability will lead to higher performance oftransparent field effect transistor.
Co-doped TiO2 is one of room temperature ferromagnetic oxide semiconductor. In this study,
we fabricated Co-doped TiO2 films on glass substrates by sputtering method. The films
exhibited ferromagnetic MCD and also anomalous Hall effect at room temperature. In
addition, we observed the large enhancement of magneto-optical effect in a simple
one-dimensional magnetophotonic crystal structure.

Materials Quantum Science [Nitta Laboratory at Department of Materials Science]
We have investigated the spin orbit interaction (SOI) in semiconductor heterostructures. (1)We demonstrated gate voltage control of spin precession in InGaAs mesoscopic ring arrayswith Al2O3 gate insulator. Al’tshuler-Aronov-Spivak oscillations were clearly observed and theoscillation phases at B = 0 switched between negative and positive by changing the gate bias
voltages. It corresponds to the electrical manifestation of spin rotation due to the Rashba SOI.
(2) We proposed a method to determine the relative strength of Rashba and Dresselhaus
spin-orbit interaction from transport measurements without the need of fitting parameters. In
narrow quantum wires which exhibit weak localization even in the presence of spin-orbit
coupling, an in-plane magnetic field can suppress the weak localization effect. We employed
the unique angular dependence of this effect to suggest a method for the direct andexperimental determination of the ratio between Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit strengths
from transport measurements.

Nanoscale magnetism and devices [Kitakami
Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials]

Laboratory

atInstituteofThe current research subjects in the research group are development of high-Ku materials
and investigation of magnetization reversal behavior of nanoscale magnets, aiming todevelopment of ultra-high density non-volatile magnetic memory.

42

One of the recent topics is      

2008

Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

study on magnetization reversal behavior of nanoscale hard magnetic material under a shortpulse field.

We have developed a nanoseconds pulse generator with the maximum field of 3

kOe and irreversible magnetization behavior of a nanoscale Co/Pt multilayer dot wasinvestigated.

Solid State Photophysics Group [Ishihara Laboratory at Department of Physics]
In our laboratory, artificial periodic structures (metamaterials and photonic crystals)
atvisible and near-infrared wavelengths have been investigated. Based on the transmission
line metamaterials at microwaves, we designed a visible metamaterial, fabricated it, andevaluated the optical characteristics and the focusing effect. Besides plasmonic crystals andplasmonic lens were fabricated and measured at visible wavelengths. We found novel
behavior of eigen modes such as pair annihilation, extreme enhancement of transmission,and plasmonic resonant second harmonic generation.

Dept. of Biomedical Engineering [Tanaka Lab at Graduate School of Biomedical
Engineering]
The novel SPRAM-based reconfigurable logic block has been proposed, and fabricatedthrough 140nm CMOS process techonology combined with a MTJ process. This logic blockincluded the SRAM for LUT and the SPRAM for configuretion data, where both memories
were embedded in one chip. The MTJ element with the area size of 50x200nm2 and CMOS
logic circuit were fully integrated. Experimental results showed that the reconfigurable logic
block achieved 25MHz read-out operations with the magnetic resistance of 1.62kohm
(parallel) and the MR ratio of 91.7%.

New Paradigm VLSI System [Hanyuu Laboratory]
Our research group has fabricated a nonvolatile logic-in-memory integrated circuit, wherea nonvolatile storage function is merged into a logic-circuit function, using magnetic tunnel
junctions (MTJs) in combination with MOS transistors.

It is the first time to succeed thefabrication of this type of integrated circuit, where the MOS-transistor part is fabricated by
Hitachi Co., Ltd. and the MTJ-device part is fabricated by Laboratory for Nanoelectronics
and Spintronics, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University. Thisis the collaboration of Prof. H. Ohno's, Prof. S. Ikeda’s and our laboratories

Low Temperature Condensed State Group [Iwasa Lab at Institute for Material
Research]
Very thin single crystals fabricated by mechanical micro cleavage are materials received agreat interest recently as promising candidates for microelectronics due their uniqueelectronic properties. Our research is based on the combination of layered materials andelectrochemical transistors for the advantages as large tunable electron density at lower
gate voltage. Layered-material EDLTs are successfully fabricated on the top of SiO2/Si
substrates. The thickness of the layered material samples, single, double or multi-layers, is43      

2008

Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

characterized by Raman scattering and atomic force microscope. The electronic devices arefabricated by standard photolithography and e-beam lithography method by using thefacilities in Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics. By applying ionic liquid as thegating media, we observed ambipolar characteristics by low gate voltage smaller than 1 V ongraphene EDLT. As a general method, we can apply it to a broader spectrum of material.

Technology Development Division Storage Technology Group[Fujimoto Laboratory]A

cooperative

research

project

betweenindustry,

academia

andgovernment;

Developmentof super high-speed mass storage HDD systems started in August 2007 under
the collaborations between RIEC including IT21 storage technology group, major Japanese
HDD manufacturers and other laboratories researching related technologies within Tohoku
University. Developments of high density patterned media and high sensitivity sensor are
research subjects in this project, and we fabricated fine dot arrays of Co based alloy
filmsand spin accumulation devices and studied fundamental properties.

Solid

State Electronics[Suemitu Laboratory]

Graphene is expected to be a key material in the next-generation semiconductor
devices.The main challenge for the graphene devices, however, is the lack of cost-effective
fabrication method of graphene with large scale. To solve this point, we have been studying
formation of graphene on silicon substrates (GOS) by use of heteroepitaxy of SiC on Si. As aresult, we have succeeded in realization of a GOS structure for the first time.
Thisachievement allows us to form graphene on low-cost, large-scale silicon wafers, which
will lead to graphene-based electronics in the future.

Researching Section [Endoh Lab at Center for Interdisciplinary Research]
To develop a novel Spin device technology for the Magnetic Tunneling Junction (MTJ)
combined with the Si-CMOS circuit, we have systematically studied the Spin device technology,
the integration process technology, the circuit design and the measurement.

To realize theultra high-speed operation of MTJ, we have proposed the new circuit technique of the
Dynamic Feedback MOS Current Mode Logic (DF-MCML) and the Current Controlled MCML
(CC-MCML), which function low power consumption in the GHz operation. This circuit
technique has realized the stable operation even in the presence of threshold voltage
fluctuations by using the feedback technology. We have successfully fabricated the DF-MCML
and the CC-MCML inverter with the 180nm CMOS process, for the first time.

44  

2008  Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

Atomically Controlled Processing

Creation of Atomically Controlled Processing of Group IV Semiconductor andApplication to Nano Heterodevices[Research Target and Activities]
Development of atomically controlled processing technology in deposition and etching is quite
important to fabricate future higher-performance ultralarge-scale integrated circuits (ULSIs) as wellas quantum devices for new functions and to create new materials with novel properties which are
different from that of conventional bulk materials. To overcome the limits of Si material propertiesand device miniaturization and to achieve on-chip integration of ultimate charge control into Si
ULSIs, this laboratory aims to establish atomically controlled processing for nanometer-order
artificial heterostructures of group IV semiconductors with atomically controlled surface andinterfaces and nanometer-order three-dimensional patterning with molecular control to fabricate
nanometer-order heterostructure devices. (FFig. 1)In this year, following experimental results have been obtained: (1) In the research on
atomic-layer doping with high carrier concentration, low-temperature SiH4 exposure to suppress B
clustering in thermal CVD is effective to improve electrical activity and to suppress lattice strain in
Si. (2) By lowering process temperature utilizing plasma CVD without substrate heating, B
atomic-layer doping in Si epitaxial growth. (3) In the research on formation of local-strain introduced
Si1-xGex/Si nanometer-order heterostructure, by control of thermal nitridation and Si1-xGex film
formation using low-temperature thermal CVD, N atomic-layer doping in Si1-xGex epitaxial growth
can be realized. (4) Using the Ge thinfilm substrate with strain relaxation
enhancement by ion-energy control inplasma CVD, formed by plasma CVD,
nanometer-order thick highly strained Si
can be epitaxially grown.
[Staff]
Professor: MUROTA, Junichi Dr.
Associate Prof.: SAKURABA, Masao Dr.

Fig. 1. 10 nm-scale quantum nanodevices with strain
controlled nano-scale patterned heterostructure ofgroup IV semiconductors.

[Profile of Prof. J. Murota]
Prof. J. Murota was born in 1948. He received the B.E., M.E. and Ph.D degrees in electronicengineering from Hokkaido University in 1970, 1972 and 1985, respectively. He joined the Musashino
Electrical Communication Laboratory, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation (NTT) in
1972. In 1983, he moved to the Atsugi Electrical Communication Laboratory, NTT. In 1985 he becamean Associate Professor in the Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University andin 1995 became a Professor. He is actively involved in researches on atomically controlled processingof group IV semiconductors. He was awarded the 3rd (2003) Yamazaki-Teiichi Prize.
[Papers][1] J. Murota, M. Sakuraba and B. Tillack, “Atomically Controlled CVD Processing for Future Si-Based
Devices” (IInvited Paper), 9th Int. Conf. on Solid-State and Integrated-Circuit Technol. (ICSICT 2008),
Beijing, China, Oct. 20-23, 2008, No.E6.7.
[2] T. Kawashima, M. Sakuraba and J. Murota, “Nitrogen Atomic-Layer Doping in Nanometer-Order
Heterostructure of Si/Si1-xGex/Si(100) by Ultraclean Low-Pressure CVD”, Symp. Z: “Material Scienceand Process Technologies for Advanced Nano-Electronic Devices”, Int. Union of Mat. Res. Soc. - Int.
Conf. in Asia 2008 (IUMRS-ICA 2008), Nagoya, Japan, Dec. 9-13, 2008, No.ZO-4.
[3] K. Sugawara, M. Sakuraba and J. Murota, “Epitaxial Growth of Highly Strained B Doped Si on
Relaxed Ge/Si(100)”, Symp. Z: “Material Science and Process Technologies for Advanced
Nano-Electronic Devices”, Int. Union of Mat. Res. Soc. - Int. Conf. in Asia 2008 (IUMRS-ICA 2008),
Nagoya, Japan, Dec. 9-13, 2008, No.ZP-9.


Contact to Professor Junichi MUROTA㧦murota@riec.tohoku.ac.jp45  

2008 Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

Semiconductor Spintronics

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology for Spintronics and THz Lasers[Research Target and Activities]
We are working on the nanoscience andnanotechnology to control the quantum
Semiconductor Spintronics
states in semiconductors, especially the
spin-states and optical transitions in the
Quantum
mid-infrared to THz.
Spin memorycomputingMaterials of interest include GaAs/AlAs,
Ultrafast
Electrical controlled
Spin
InAs/(Al,Ga)Sb, GaN, and ZnO, with andopticalcoherencemagnetismswitching
without doping of magnetic elements, all
Spingrown by molecular beam epitaxy. We are
THz lasers
ChargeSpinrelaxation
investigating electrical, optical, magnetic
properties of these materials and their
Spin
Quantum structures Intersubband
transition
injection
application to new functional devices, suchas memories and logic devices using spin
Nanoscience / Nanotechnology
states as well as quantum cascade lasers(QCL) with THz emission.
The outcomes in the last fiscal year are (1)Demonstration of electric-field control of magnetic anisotropy and magnetization rotation in a
(Ga,Mn)As thin film. (2) Demonstration of the phase coherence control of spin-3/2 75As nuclei withmultipulse nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sequences in a GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well by
optically-detected NMR. (3) Demonstration of a GaAs THz quantum cascade laser emitting at 3.8 THz
and first observation of intersubband optical transitions of ZnO quantum wells[Staff]
Professor㧦OHNO Hideo Dr.
Associate Professor䋺OHNO Yuzo Dr.
Associate Professor䋺MATSUKURA Fumihiro Dr.
Assistant Professor OHTANI Keita Dr.
[Profile of Professor OHNO]
Hideo Ohno received Ph. D. degree from the University of Tokyo in 1982. He was with the Faculty ofEngineering, Hokkaido University as a Lecturer (1982) and then as an Associate Professor (1983). He
moved to Tohoku University in 1994 as a Professor. He received the IBM Japan Science Prize (1998),
the IUPAP Magnetism Prize (2003), the Japan Academy Prize (2005), and the 2005 Agilent
Technologies Europhysics Prize. He is Institute of Physics (IOP) Fellow (2004), Honorable Professor at
Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and JSAP fellow (2007), Distinguished
Professor at Tohoku University (2008), and IEEE Magnetic Society Distinguished Lecturer for 2009.
He is a member of JSAP, JPS, JACG, IEICE, APS, IOP, IEEE, and AVS.
[Papers][1] Y. Kondo, M. Ono, S. Matsuzaka, K. Morita, H. Sanada, Y. Ohno, and H. Ohno, "Multipulse operation and opticaldetection of nuclear spin coherence in a GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well", Physical Review Letters, Vol. 101, pp. 207601,
November 2008.
[2] D. Chiba, M. Sawicki, Y. Nishitani, Y. Nakatani, F. Matsukura, and H. Ohno, "Magnetization vector manipulation byelectric fields," Nature, Vol. 455, pp. 515-518, September 2008.
[3] Tsung-Tse Lin, Keita Ohtani, and Hideo Ohno, "Thermally activated longitudinal optical phonon scattering of a 3.8 THz
GaAs quantum cascade laser", Applied Physics Express, Vol. 2, pp. 022102, January 2009.
46

Contact to Professor Hideo OHNO㧦ohno@riec.tohoku.ac.jp  

2008 Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

Nano-Molecular Devices

Control of surface and interface of molecular informational devices anddevelopment of novel nano-molecular devices[Research Target and Activities]
Our research aims at application of the Si technology toorganic semiconductor devices or many kinds of biosensors. We
have investigated development of 1) an in-situ monitoring
system of cultured cells or biological materials using infraredabsorption spectroscopy, 2) an ion channel sensor using a Si
technology, and 3) a nanofabrication method using
electrochemical processes such as anodization of valve metals.
Especially, we have applied TiO2 nanotubes formed byanodization to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC).
1) An in-situ monitoring system for cultured cells
We have succeeded in discrimination between apoptotic
and viable cells using infrared spectroscopy and demonstrated
that the cell apoptotic process could be analyzed throughprotein amide bands.
2) An ion channel sensor using a Si technology
Using a Si microfabrication technology, we have fabricatedan artificial lipid bilayer in which gramicidin peptides can form
transmembrane ion channels. The lipid bilayer exhibitedmechanical strength enough for application to drug screening.
3) A nanofabrication method using electrochemical processes
We demonstrated that a room-temperature operation
single electron transistor could be fabricated by controlling across-sectional profile of an Al microwire before anodization.

In-situ monitoring of cultured
cells using infrared spectroscopy

Anodization of a patterned Al
film and Al nanodots formed by it[Staff]
Professor㧦NIWANO, Michio Dr.
Assistant professor㧦 KIMURA, Yasuo Dr.
[Profile of Professor NIWANO, Michio]
1998 - present RIEC, Tohoku University, Japan, Professor
Memberships: Electrochemical Society (ECS), Material Research Society(MRS), American Vacuum Society (AVS)
Education: March, 1980 Tohoku University, Japan, Doctorate of Science[Papers]
1. Y. Kimura, T. Oba, N. Shimakura, and M. Niwano, “The thermal-field emission model for carrier
injection characteristics of an organic field effect transistor”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 94 (2009) 073303.
2. R. Yamaguchi, A. Hirano-Iwata, Y. Kimura, K. Miyamoto, H. Miyazaki, H. Isoda, and M. Niwano,“In situ real-time monitoring of apoptosis on leukemia cells by surface infrared spectroscopy”, J.
Appl. Phys. 105 (2009) 024701.
3. K. Ishibashi, Y. Kimura, and M. Niwano, “An extensively valid and stable method for derivation of
all parameters of a solar cell from a single current voltage characteristic”, J. Appl. Phys. 103 (2008)
094507
Contact to Professor Michio NIWANO㧦niwano@riec.tohoku.ac.jp47  

2008 Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

Nano-Spin Memory

Research of spin based device and memory
700

604 %@ 300 K ( 1144 %@ 5 K)

600

Our results

TMR ratio(%)[Research Target and Activities]
We are developing technologies to realize advanced spin
memory and logic devices using magnetic tunnel junctions(MTJs) consisting of ferromagnetic metal electrodes andinsulating barriers. In our group, the following results wereobtained.
1) The TMR ratios of 604% at RT and 1144% at 5K (world
record) were realized in MgO-based MTJs.
2) The use of SyF free layer consisting of Fe-rich CoFeB
ferromagnetic layers resulted in low intrinsic criticalcurrent
density(Jc0)
without
degradingthethermal-stability factor E/kBT.
3) We developed fabrication process of MTJs on circuits
based on 0.14μm node CMOS technology.
4) Operations of the world's first nonvolatile full adderbased on logic-in-memory architecture, standby-power-freecompact ternary content addressable memory, andreconfigurable logic block employing the spin-transfer
torque MTJs with SyF free layer were verified.

500
400

MgO barrier MTJs
300
200
Tohoku Univ.

Al -O barrier
MTJs

100
0

1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Year
Appl. Phys. Lett., 93 (2008) 082508.

Development of tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio for MTJs with
Al-O and MgO tunnel barriers.

[Staff]Visiting Professor: HASEGAWA HaruhiroDr.
Associate Professor: IKEDA Shoji Dr.
Research Fellow: Huadong GAN,
Research Fellow: Ji Ho PARK,
Research Fellow: MIURA Katsuya,
Research Fellow: HAYAKAWA Jun,
Research Fellow: YAMAMOTO Hiroyuki,[Papers][1] J. Hayakawa, S. Ikeda, K. Miura, M. Yamanouchi, Y. M.
Lee, R. Sasaki, M. Ichimura, K. Ito, T. Kawahara, R.
Takemura, T. Meguro, F. Matsukura, H. Takahashi, H.
Matsuoka, and H. Ohno, "Current-induced magnetization
switching in MgO barrier magnetic tunnel junctions with
CoFeB-based synthetic ferrimagnetic free layers", IEEE
Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. 44, pp. 1962-1967, July
2008.
[2] S. Matsunaga, J. Hayakawa, S. Ikeda, K. Miura, H.
Hasegawa, T. Endoh, H. Ohno, and T. Hanyu, "Fabricationof a nonvolatile full adder based on logic-in-memoryarchitecture using magnetic tunnel junctions", Applied
Physics Express, Vol. 1, pp. 091301-(1)-(3), August 2008

SyF-freelayer
Barrier
Fixed layer

ParallelAnti-parallel

Low resistance(RP)

High resistance(RAP)

IEEE Trans. Magn, 44 (2008) 1962.

Magnetic tunnel junction with SyF
free layer consisting of CoFeB/Ru/
CoFeB ferromagnetic layers.

[3] S. Ikeda, J. Hayakawa, Y. Ashizawa, Y. M. Lee, K. Miura, H. Hasegawa, M. Tsunoda, F. Matsukura, and
H. Ohno, "Tunnel magnetoresistance of 604% at 300 K by suppression of Ta diffusion in
CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB pseudo-spin-valves annealed at high temperature", Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 93,
pp. 082508-(1)-(3), August 2008.

48

Contact to Associate Professor Shoji IKEDA㧦sikeda@riec.tohoku.ac.jp      

2008

Laboratory for Brainware Systems

Laboratory for Brainware Systems

Research Targets and Activities of Laboratory for Brainware Systems
䎃
The Laboratory for Brainware Systems of the Research Institute of Electrical Communication was established in 2004. Its
purpose is to contribute to the research and development of advanced information science and technology for Brainware
systems which realize a seamless fusion of the changeable and complex real world and the cyber space.
We aim at establishing scientific and technological foundations for Real-World Computing (section), New Paradigm VLSI
System (section), Intelligent Nano-Integration System (section), Microarchitecture (section), Cyber Robotics (planned section),and Next-Generation Human Interface (planned section). The Laboratory for Brainware Systems consists of the above six
sections which cooperatively carry out the research. At the same time they serve as a laboratory for nation-wide cooperative
research in the field of Brainware systems.
The technology developed in the Laboratory is expected to enhance the research carried out in the four Divisions of theInstitute, and the research conducted in the Divisions, in turn, is expected to provide scientific basis for the information
technology developed in the Laboratory.

[Research Target]
Real-World Computing Section: Our main aim is to understand highly harmonic and autonomous
biological-information systems, and to propose a new system designing principles. For carrying out
various purpose and functions in the real-world, the biological system must solve inverse problems.
Since in general the inverse problem is an ill-posed one, the system has to create an appropriate
constraint for solving the ill-posedness by itself and autonomously satisfy the created constraint inreal time. Clarifying logic and basic mechanisms of “Constraint Self-Emergence and Self- Satisfaction”,
we create artificial systems for pattern recognitions and motion controls that work well in thereal-world.
New Paradigm VLSI System Section: Performance degradation of SoCs due to wiring complexity,
power dissipation and characteristic variation of materials/devices is increasingly getting a serious
problem in recent era. Our research activity is to solve the above problem by the following two ways:
the use of logic-in-memory architecture based on nonvolatile logic, and the use of asynchronous
data-transfer scheme based on multiple-valued current-mode logic, which would open up a novel
VLSI chip paradigm, called a “new-paradigm VLSI system.”Intelligent Nano-Integration System Section: Our research activities cover the fields of architecturesof Brain computing systems, characterization and application of artificial neural networks, computer
aided designs and fabrications of intelligent integrated circuits, and exploitation of new devices for49      

2008

Laboratory for Brainware Systems

neural circuits. At present research is focused on the large scale integration of Brain computing systemand exploitations of new neural devices proposing a neuromorphic quantum computation.
Microarchitecture Section: The research activities in microarchitecture lab. include architecture andcircuit design of mixed-signal SoC applicable to sensor network system to explore brain activity
research along with mixed-signal topdown design methodology.

[Research Activities]
Real-World Computing Section (Yano Laboratory): We obtained the following three main results.
First, we mathematically analyzed our adaptive, autonomous decentralized model for arm reaching
movement in which each joint command is determined through mobility-based interactions among
joints, and clarified that the model includes two different type controllers and they are switched inreal-time depending on difference of mobility among joints. Second, using multi-electrodes, wemeasured neural activity of the primate prefrontal cortex during a path-planning task, and found thatsynchronous neural activity in the prefrontal cortex is critical for the animal to put a motion plan into
practical action. Third, for clarifying a fundamental mechanism of sensory information processing in
brain, we use the mini-brain of terrestrial slug Incilaria fruhstorferi, and found that there are two
olfactory pathways having different dynamics of each, and that their interactions would be important
for the olfactory information processing in real time.
New Paradigm VLSI System Section (Hanyu Laboratory): As a this-year research result in the
nonvolatile logic-in-memory technology, we have succeeded the chip fabrication of MTJ/CMOS-hybrid
a compact cell circuit for a nonvolatile TCAM (ternary content-addressable-memory), and confirmed
the basic behavior of its logic operation. We have also designed and fabricated a high-throughput
asynchronous multiple-valued single-track data-transfer test chip, whose performance is evaluated tobe 1.5-times faster than that of a conventional hardware with maintaining less wire counts.
Intelligent Nano-Integration System Section (Nakajima-Sato Laboratory): By using high-ordersynapses for an inverse function delayed neural network, we demonstrated that optimal solutions fortraveling salesman problems were obtained as stationary states like N-Queen problems. Furthermore,
we have also proposed new analyses for nonlinear dynamics, in which a new concept based on therelationship between a potential and active regions was introduced. We evaluated the quality factor ofa Bi-2212 intrinsic Josephson junction from its resonant activation property, and found the requiredcondition for observing Rabi oscillation. We studied numerically the computational power of ourneuromorphic quantum computation algorithm as a function of the magnitude of decoherence. The
result shows that the computational power decreases in proportion to decoherence, but thedegradation is smaller than other quantum algorithms. A 4-bit parallel multiplier using a carrylook-ahead adder was demonstrated successfully with Nb integrated circuits to improve theperformance of high-speed operation for the single flux-quantum fast Fourier transform. A 4-bit
high-speed up/down counter for the neural computation using stochastic logic was fabricated andsuccessfully demonstrated.
Microarchitecture Section (Masui Laboratory): We have been investigating architecture and circuit
techniques for low-power and low-cost CMOS transceiver ICs applicable to wireless sensor network.
We have been explored a low-power fractional-N PLL design and a complex bandpass filter in low-IF
architecture for software-defined radio applications. A design tool for fractional-N PLL optimizing an
integrated loop filter considering influences of VCO and sigma-delta modulator noises to entire PLL
phase noise is under development. In terms of design productivity enhancement, we haveinvestigated the gm/Id lookup table design optimization methodology for OTA (operationaltransconductance amplifier), and have succeeded to generate an optimization flow for high-gain andhigh-speed OTA with a complex topology.

50

 2008 Laboratory for Brainware Systems
Real-world computing

Problem solving and neuronal synchrony in monkey prefrontal cortex

A schematic image of a monkey executing a maze task (left). Selectivity for final(red line), immediate (blue line) goals and neuronal synchrony (black line) (right) [1].

[Research Target and Activities]
It is unclear how biological systems behave adaptively in the real world, even though theenvironment is inherently indefinite and unpredictable. To clarify the adaptive mechanism underlying
the brain, we study it in various fields including vision, audition, motor control and memory.
In this year, to investigate the temporal relationship between synchrony in the discharge of neuron
pairs and modulation of the discharge rate, we recorded the neuronal activity of the lateral prefrontal
cortex of monkeys performing a behavioral task that required them to plan an immediate goal of action
to attain a final goal. Information about the final goal was retrieved via visual instruction signals,
whereas information about the immediate goal was generated internally (left figure). The synchrony ofneuron pair discharges was analyzed separately from changes in the firing rate of individual neurons
during a preparatory period. We focused on neuron pairs that exhibited a representation of the final
goal followed by a representation of the immediate goal at a later stage. We found that changes insynchrony and discharge rates appeared to be complementary at different phases of the behavioral
task. Synchrony was maximized during a specific phase in the preparatory period corresponding to atransitional stage when the neuronal activity representing the final goal was replaced with that
representing the immediate goal (right figure). We hypothesize that the transient increase indischarge synchrony is an indication of a process that facilitates dynamic changes in the prefrontal
neural circuits in order to undergo profound state changes.

[Staff]
Professor
Assistant professors
Research associates

YANO Masafumi Dr.
MAKINO Yoshinari Dr., SAKANOTO Kazuhiro Dr.
TOMITA Nozomi Dr.

[Profile of Professor YANO]
1992-: Professor, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University.
[Papers][1] Sakamoto K, Mushiake H, Saito N, Aihara K, Yano M and Tanji J. “Discharge synchrony during the transition of
behavioral-goal representations encoded by discharge rates of prefrontal neurons” Cerebral Cortex, vol. 18 pp.
2036-2045, 2008.
[2] Makinae H, Makino Y, Obara T and Yano M. “Specific spatio-temporal activities in the cerebral ganglion of Incilaria
fruhstorferi in response to superior and inferior tentacle nerve stimulation” Brain Research, vol. 1231, pp.47-62, 2008.
[3] Yoshihara Y, Tomita N, Makino Y, and Yano M “Autonomous Control of Reaching Movement by 'Mobility Measure'.
International Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics” vol.19, pp.448-458, 2007.

Contact to Professor Masafumi YANO㧦masafumi@riec.tohoku.ac.jp51

 2008 Laboratory for Brainware Systems
Intelligent Nano-Integration System

Basic Technology of Integrated System for Intelligent Processing[Research Target and Activities]
Our research activities cover the fields of architectures of Brain computing systems, characterization
and application of artificial neural networks, computer aided designs and fabrications of intelligent
integrated circuits, and exploitation of new devices for neural circuits.
We have constructed a stochastic artificial neural network with one million synaptic units, analyzed
the dynamic behaviour of neural networks aiming at a time-dependent data processing, succeeded topropose a system where we are able to get off successfully from any local minima fallen into on the wayof data processing in neural networks, and fabricated its prototype hardware system on the silicon
microchip by using the CMOS technology. We have also presented an FFT and a neural system
operated by using a flux quantum logic in superconducting integrated circuits.
At present research is focused on the large scale integration of Brain computing system andexploitations of new neural devices proposing a neuromorphic quantum computation.
Research Activities in 2008
(1) By using high-order synapses for an inverse function delayed neural network, we demonstrated that optimal solutions fortraveling salesman problems were obtained as stationary states like N-Queen problems. Furthermore, we have also proposed
new analyses for nonlinear dynamics, in which a new concept based on therelationship between a potential and active regions was introduced. (2) We
evaluated the quality factor of a Bi-2212 intrinsic Josephson junction from its
resonant activation property, and found the required condition for observing Rabi
oscillation. We studied numerically the computational power of our neuromorphic
quantum computation algorithm as a function of the magnitude of decoherence.
The result shows that the computational power decreases in proportion todecoherence, but the degradation is smaller than other quantum algorithms. (3) A
4-bit parallel multiplier using a carry look-ahead adder was demonstrated
successfully with Nb integrated circuits to improve the performance of high-speed
operation for the single flux-quantum fast Fourier transform. A 4-bit high-speed
up/down counter for the neural computation using stochastic logic was fabricatedand successfully demonstrated.
Fig.1 Inverse Function Delayed neuro-chip[Staff]
Professor NAKAJIMA Koji Dr.
Associate Professor SATO Shigeo Dr.
Assistant Professor ONOMI Takeshi Dr.
[Profile of Professor NAKAJIMA]
K. Nakajima was received his B.E. M.E. and Dr. Eng. from Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan, in 1972,
1975, and 1978, respectively. Since 1978, he has been working at the Research Institute of ElectricalCommunication, Tohoku University, except for a ten month period in 1983 when he was a Visiting
Assistant Research Engineer at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a professor at the
Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, and is currently engaged in the
study of VLSI implementation of neural network, and Josephson Junction devices for digitalapplications.
[Papers]
1.
2.
3.
4.

S. Chun, Y. Hayakawa, and K. Nakajima, Hardware Neural Network for a Visual Inspection System,
IEICE Trans. Fundamentals, vol. E91-A, no. 4, pp. 935-942, April 2008.
J. Sveholm, Y. Hayakawa, and K. Nakajima, Recalling Temporal Sequences of Patterns Using Neurons
with Hysteretic Property, IEICE Trans. Fundamentals, vol. E91-A, no. 4, pp. 943-950, April 2008.
K. Nakajima and S. Suenaga, Bursting characteristics of a neuron model based on a concept ofpotential with active areas, Chaos, American Institute of Physics, vol. 18, p. 023120, May 2008.
Y. Yamada, K. Nakajima, and K. Nakajima, RF impedance of intrinsic Josephson junction in flux-flowstate with a periodic pinning potential, Physica C, vol. 468, pp. 1295–1297, Sep. 2008.
52

Contact to Professor Koji NAKAJIMA㧦hello@nakajima.riec.tohoku.ac.jp

 2008 Laboratory for Brainware Systems
Microarchitecture Laboratory

Mixed-Signal SoC Design[Research Target and Activities]

Ubiquitous society has been established by the deployment of various wireless systems ICs, and it
demands advances in mixed-signal (analog and digital) design technique as well as higher
integration through SoC (System on a Chip). Our research activities include architecture andcircuit design of mixed-signal SoC applicable to sensor network systems for the investigation ofbrain activities researches as well as design automation of RF/analog circuit. We have developed acomplex bandpass filter for low-IF architecture in a transceiver IC for sensor network systems andbeen expanding this technology to software defined radio. Moreover, we have been researching on
the OTA design optimization flow by using gm/Id based lookup table methodology.

[Staff]
Professor: MASUI Shoichi Dr.
[Profile of Professor MASUI]
Shoichi Masui received the B. S. and M. S. degrees from Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan in 1982,
and 1984, respectively, and received the Ph. D. degree from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 2006.
From 1990 to 1992, he was a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University, Stanford CA, and in 2001, he
was a Visiting Scholar at University of Toronto, Toronto ON, Canada. Since 2007, he is a professor
in Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University. He was the recipient of acommendation by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Japan, in
2004 for his research achievements on FeRAM.
[Papers][1] D. Su, M. Loinaz, S. Masui, and B. Wooley, “Experimental Results aand Modeling Techniques for
Substrate Noise in Mixed Signal Integrated Circuits,” Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 28, no. 4,
pp. 420-430, 1993.
[2] S. Masui, T. Ninomiya, M. Oura, W. Yokozeki, K. Mukaida, and S. Kawashima, “Ferroelectric
Memory Based Secure Dynamically Programmable Gate Array”, IEEE J. of Solid-State Circuits, vol.
38, no. 5, pp. 715-725, 2003.
[3] H. Nakamoto, D. Yamazaki, T. Yamamoto, H. Kurata, S. Yamada, K. Mukaida, T. Ninomiya, T.
Ohkawa, S. Masui, and K. Gotoh, “A Passive UHF RF Identification Tag LSI with 36.6% Efficiency
CMOS-Only Rectifier and Current-Mode Demodulator in 0.35Pm FeRAM technology, ” IEEE
Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 101-110, 2007.

Contact to Professor Shoichi MASUI㧦shomasui@riec.tohoku.ac.jp53

 2008 Laboratory for Brainware Systems
New Paradigm VLSI System Research Group

Realization of a New-paradigm VLSI System[Research Target and Activities]
Rapid progress in recent deep submicron regime has led the capability to realize giga-scaled
embedded systems on a chip (SoC), while performance degradation of SoCs due to wiring complexity,
power dissipation and device-characteristic variation is increasingly getting a serious problem in the
recent VLSI chip. Our research activity is to solve the above problem primarily by the following two
ways: the use of logic-in-memory architecture based on nonvolatile logic, and the use of asynchronous
data-transfer scheme based on multiple-valued current-mode logic, which would open up a novel VLSI
chip paradigm, called a “new-paradigm VLSI system.”
As a this-year research result in nonvolatile-logic area, we have succeeded the chip fabrication of
MTJ(Magnetic Tunnel Junction)-based basic logic component, a compact cell circuit for nonvolatile
TCAM (ternary content-addressable-memory) (Fig.3). We have also designed and fabricated a highly
reliable multiple-valued current-mode multiplier chip (Fig. 1) and a high-throughput asynchronous
multiple-valued single-track data-transfer test chip (Fig. 2), whose performance is evaluated to be
1.5-times faster than that of a conventional implementation with maintaining less wire counts..
3.0 Pm

9.8 Pm

3.8 [μm]

568 [μm]

Outputgenerator
in
MLSA

TCAM
cell

Ref.
cell

Current
comparator
in
MLSA

568 [μm]
9.2 [μm]

Fig. 1: Highly-reliable 16-bit MVCM

Fig. 2: Multiple-valued current- mode

Fig. 3: MTJ-based

multiplier chip.

single-track-data-transfer chip

nonvolatile TCAM

[Staffs]
Professor
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor

HANYU Takahiro Dr.
MATSUMOTO Atsushi Dr.
NATSUI Masanori Dr.

[Profile of Professor HANYU]
Takahiro Hanyu received the B.E., M.E. and D.E. degrees in Electronic engineering from Tohoku
University, Sendai, Japan, in 1984, 1986, 1989, respectively. He is currently a Professor in the
Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University. His general research interests
include multiple-valued current-mode logic and its application to high performance and low-powerarithmetic VLSIs.
[Papers](1) K. Mizusawa, N. Onizawa, and T. Hanyu, "Power-Aware Asynchronous Peer-to-Peer Duplex
Communication System Based on Multiple-Valued One-Phase Signaling," IEICE Trans. Electron.,
Vol.E91-C, No.04, pp.581-588, Apr. 2008.
(2) S. Matsunaga, J. Hayakawa, S. Ikeda, K. Miura, H. Hasegawa, T. Endoh, H. Ohno, and T. Hanyu,"Fabrication of a Nonvolatile Full Adder Based on Logic-in-Memory Architecture Using Magnetic
Tunnel Junctions," Applied Physics Express (APEX), vol. 1, no. 9, pp. 091301-1-091301-3, Aug. 2008.
(3) S. Matsunaga, K. Hiyama, A. Matsumoto, S. Ikeda, H. Hasegawa, K. Miura, J. Hayakawa, T. Endoh, H.
Ohno, and T. Hanyu, "Standby-Power-Free Compact Ternary Content-Addressable Memory Cell Chip
Using Magnetic Tunnel Junction Devices," Applied Physics Express (APEX), vol. 2, no. 2, pp.
023004-1-023004-3, Feb. 2009.
54

Contact to Professor Takahiro HANYU㧦hanyu@riec.tohoku.ac.jp      

2008

Research Center for 21st Century Information Technology

IT-21 center

Research and Development of the IT-Based Practical Technology
by the Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration[Research Target and Activities]
The purpose of the IT-21 center is development of practical technologies for IT based on theadvanced technologies of RIEC with the partnership among Industry, Government and University.
The term of development is limited less than 5 years. The projects are planed on matching with bothbasic technologies in the University and application in the Industry. Combination of the technologiesof the University and Industry makes practical technologies with availability for the commercial
products. The center actively accelerates to obtain the intellectual properties generated from thedevelopment of practical technology to the Industry. From 2007, the new 2 projects were started.
1. Development of Dependable Wireless System and Devices
Our new project “Development of Dependable Wireless System and Devices” was accepted in 2007
as the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) CREST type research program “Fundamental
Technology for Dependable VLSI System.” The project has been executed by the collaborations
between RIEC including IT21 mobile wireless technology group, major Japanese mobile terminal
manufacturers and other universities. It aims for development of (1) all IP dependable wirelessnetwork which can realize a communication speed of 1Mbit/s~10Gbit/s, (2) all Si CMOS mixed signal
LSI with frequency range of 500MHz~70GHz, (3) frequency domain equalizer technology, and (4)scalable AD converter.
2. Development of Low Power Consumption Mass Storage HDD Systems
A new project “Development of super high-speed mass storage HDD systems” started in 2007 under
the collaborations between RIEC including IT21 storage technology group, major Japanese HDD
manufacturers and other laboratories within Tohoku University. The goals of this project are todevelop the perpendicular recording technologies required for higher than 2 Tbits/inch2 recording
density and, based on these technologies, to develop the system architecture for realizing large
capacity, high performance and low power consumption storage systems; (1) Development offundamental technologies for the recording densities over 2 Tb/inch2; high sensitivity sensors, highrecording resolution SPT writers and high-density media including patterned media, (2) Developmentof a system architecture for high performance and low power consumption storage systems.
[Staff]Director: Professor TSUBOUCHI Kazuo, Dr.
Technical Official: SAGAE Katsumi
Project Planning Division
Professor: FURUNISHI Makoto, Dr.
Technology Development Division (Mobile Wireless Technology Group)
Professor: TAKAGI Tadashi Dr.
Visiting Professor: IWATA Makoto Dr.
Technology Development Division (Storage Technology Group)
Professor: FUJIMOTO Kazuhisa Dr.
Professor: AOI Hajime Visiting Dr.
Associate Professor: SHIMATSU Takehito Dr.
Visiting Associate Professor :YAMAKAWA Kiyoshi Dr.
55     

2008 Research Center for 21st Century Information Technology

The IT-21 Center Project Planning Division

Planning and Encouraging of R&D Projects[Research Target and Activities]
Study on trends of science and technology policy, etc. to launch R&D projects with industries. Studyon schemes to support R&D projects.
We have successfully launched two new projects since 2007FY, “the development of super high-speed
mass storage HDD systems” and “the development of CMOS wireless LAN by 3D SiP”. We issued afinal report on the IT Project which was entrusted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology (MEXT) from 2002FY to 2007FY. Planning of a new project is underway toutilize the internationally standardized outcome of the IT Project.
We have proposed the roles that the Research Institute of Electrical Communication (RIEC) would
play in the management of intellectual property rights, and have arranged a new scheme to handle
intellectual property rights with industries in order to carry out the projects mentioned above.
We hold meetings with institutes with which RIEC has concluded the cooperation agreements to start
R&D projects.

Planning of R&D䊶䊶䊶䊶To Analyze Trends of Science and Technology Policy
To Evaluate Innovative Impact
To Investigate on Social Needs
To Investigate on R&D Grant Scheme

Research Center for 21st Century Information Technology(IT-21 Center)

Technology Development Division

Project Planning Division

Encouraging of R&D
䊶 To manage Intellectual Property Rights
䊶 To communicate with the public[Staff]
2TQHGUUQT(7470+5*+/CMQVQ
5GETGVCT[-#)#/+6#0+/CEJKMQ [Profile of Professor FURUNISHI]
1986.3 got master’s degree from Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, theUniversity of Tokyo
1986.4 joined Science and Technology Agency (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology (MEXT) at present)
2005.1- 2004.7 Director of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Regulation Division, NISA, METI
2006.8- Professor, IT-21 Center, RIEC, Tohoku University, 2006.11-2008.3 Special Advisor to President
56

Contact to Professor Makoto FURUNISHI㧦makoto.furunishi@it21.riec.tohoku.ac.jp     

2008 Research Center for 21st Century Information Technology

IT21 Center Mobile Wireless Technology Group

Development of DWS (Dependable Wireless System) Technology
for DWN (Dependable Wireless NGN)
[Research Target and Activities]
1. All Si CMOS RFIC
(1) We have developed a 5 GHz band Si CMOS VCO (Voltage Control Oscillator) having a novel resonant
circuit which can suppress 1/f noise from bias circuit and capacitance fluctuation of varactor byharmonics. The VCO has performed tuning range of 17.9% and phase noise of -110.8dBc @ 1MHz
offset over full tuning range, which is the world top class performance.
(2) We have developed a novel design technology of FET gate width optimization and high accurate device
modeling in 60GHz frequency range. Using this technology, we have developed a 60GHz band Si
CMOS 2-stage HPA (High Power Amplifier), which has successfully performed gain of 8dB over
59~66GHz, output power of 8.8dBm with efficiency of 14.5%.
2. Digitally Assisted Compensation Technology
We have developed a novel FDE (Frequency Division Equalizer) technology implemented to a FPGA
(Field Programmable Gate Array). We have demonstrated a transmission test under multi-pass fading
environments. Due to the FDE, we have realized to improve BER (Bit Error Rate) characteristics.
Conventionally, FDE technology has been evaluated by simulation. Here, we have been able torealize it by experiment.
3. Adaptive and Scalable ADC/DAC (Analog to Digital Converter/ Digital to Analog Converter)
We have devised a current mode pipeline ADC, which is suitable for process miniaturization and low
supply voltage. We have designed several core circuits of the ADC and have realized static
characteristics.
[Staff]
Professor: TAKAGI, Tadashi, Dr. (since 2005)
Guest Professor: IWATA,Makoto, Dr. (since 2003)[Profile of Professor TAKAGI, Tadashi]
Professor TAKAGI Tadashi received the B.S. degree in physics from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo,
Japan and Ph.D. degree in electronic engineering from Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan, in 1973 and1995, respectively. In 1973, he joined the Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, where he was engaged indevelopment on microwave and millimeter-wave circuits technology. Since 2005, he has been with
Tohoku University, where he is now a professor. Now, his main area of research interest is mobile wirelessbroadband communication circuits and systems technology. He is a senior member of the IEEE and amember of IEICE of Japan[Papers][1] K. Shimoyama, S. Yoshida, T. T. Thanh, K. Matsuzaki, H. Oguma, S. Kameda, H. Nakase, T. Takagi, and K.
Tsubouchi, "5GHz Si-CMOS differential power amplifier module with directly connected dipole antenna," IEICEElectronics Express, vol.5, no.7, pp.229-234, April 10, 2008.
[2] S. Yoshida, K. Tsubouchi, A. Tosaki, H. Oguma, S. Kameda, H. Nakase, and T. Takagi, "Radiation characteristics ofultra-small wireless communication modules for 60GHz band WPAN," 2008 IEEE Int. Symp. on Antennas andPropagation and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting, 108.11, July 2008.
[3] V. Gheorghiu, S. Kameda, T. Takagi, K. Tsubouchi, and F. Adachi, "Implementation of single carrier packet
transmission with frequency domain equalization," 68th IEEE Vehicular Tech. Conf. (VTC2008-Fall), 4H-3, Sept.
2008.

Contact to Professor Tadashi TAKAGI㧦t-takagi@riec.tohoku.ac.jp57     

2008 Research Center for 21st Century Information Technology

IT-21 center, Technology Development Division, Storage Technology Group

Development of low power consumption mass storage HDD systems[Research Target and Activities]
A new project ;Development of super high-speed mass storage HDD systems started in August 2007
under the collaborations between RIEC including IT21 storage technology group, major Japanese
HDD manufacturers. The goals of this project are to develop the perpendicular recording technologies
required for higher than 2 Tbits/inch2 recording density and, to develop the system architecture forrealizing large capacity, high performance and low power consumption storage systems.
This year we continued fundamental studies and obtained the following achievements.
1) High density recording media: L11-type CoNiPt ordered alloy films with a large uniaxial magnetic
anisotropy of the order of 107 erg/cm3 and relatively low saturation magnetization weresuccessfully fabricated using UHV sputter film deposition. Moreover, we experimentally showedthat the surface anisotropy enhances the thermal stability of hard/soft stacked dot arrays.
2) High sensitivity sensor technology: New process for high sensitivity spin accumulation sensor
structure was developed. And MgO barrier as a high spin polarization material was investigated.
3) Single pole type writer with a high recording resolution: Optimization of multiple tapered
main-pole structure is carried out utilizing simulation. Process for shaping main-pole was started.
4) New recording algorithm for over terabits per square inch densities: Possibility of attaining 2Tb/in2
using hard/soft stacked structure bit patterned
media (BPM) was revealed using simulation.
Investigations of energy assist recording method
utilizing BPM and two dimensional magnetic
recording method utilizing granular media werestarted for attaining over 2Tb/in2.
5) High performance tiered storage system: From thepower consumption estimation based on themeasurement results using prototype, it was
showed that “2-dimension data allocation methodwith an access prediction” is possible to reduce the
AHE curves and MFM image for the dot
storage system power consumption by half. We
arrays of L11-CoPt ordered alloy films.
started developments of control software.
[Staff]
Professor: FUJIMOTO Kazuhisa Dr.
Visiting Professor:.AOI Hajime Dr.
Associate Professor: SHIMATSU Takehito Dr. Visiting Associate Professor: YAMAKAWA Kiyoshi Dr.
[Profile of Professor FUJIMOTO]
Kazuhisa Fujimoto received the Dr. of Engineering degree from Kyushu University in 1997. He joined
Central Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd., in 1987. He joined RIEC, Tohoku University in 2007. He
has been engaged in research on storage system architectures.
[Papers][1] T. Shimatsu, H. Sato, K. Mitsuzuka, H. Kataoka, H. Aoi, S. Okamoto, and O. Kitakami, “Dot arrays of
L11 type Co-Pt ordered alloy perpendicular films,” J. Appl. Phys, vol. 105, pp. 07C109 (1-3) (2009).
[2] H. Sato, T. Shimatsu, H. Kataoka, H. Aoi, S. Okamoto, and O. Kitakami, “Fabrication of L11-type(Co-Ni)-Pt ordered alloy films by sputter deposition,” J. Appl. Phys, vol. 105, pp. 07B726 (1-3) (2009).
[3] K. Mitsuzuka, T. Shimatsu, N. Kikuchi, O. Kitakami, H. Muraoka, and H. Aoi, “Magnetic properties ofthin hard/soft-stacked dot arrays with a large uniaxial magnetic anisotropy,” J. Appl. Phys, vol. 105, pp.
07C103 (1-3), (2009).
58

Contact to Professor Kazuhisa FUJIMOTO㧦fujimoto@riec.tohoku.ac.jp      

2008Management office for safety and healthManagement Office for Health and Safety

Realizing and Maintaining a Safe and Comfortable Environment to
Support Research[Research Target and Activities]

Safety and health seminarFirst aid training course
1. Outline of the Management Office for Health and Safety
The Management Office for Health and Safety is established to maintain the health and safety ofstudents and staff working at the institute. The use of chemicals, high-pressure gas and radiation in
research activities at the institute entails many risks. The Management Office for Health and Safety
provides support for health and safety management in research laboratories, experimental facilities
and the Fundamental Technology Center through various activities to ensure safe and smooth
research activities within the institute.
2. Activities by the Management Office for Health and Safety
For the actual management of health and safety at the office, the Health and Safety Committee firstpresents the basic policies of safety management at the institute, and the Management Office for
Health and Safety then plans and executes activities based on them. At the institute, laboratories andother individual sections are highly independent of each other; unlike a general corporate organization,
top-down safety management is not suitable and measures appropriate for independent sections need
to be taken., Various considerations are also necessary for students, researchers, and other members
engaged in research activities as well as faculty staff. At this institute, extremely hazardous materials
and facilities are used, including chemicals, high-pressure gas, and X-ray devices. Since there is also aclean room and other special workplaces, safety management should be extended by considering them.
In these circumstances, the Management Office for Health and Safety will monitor situations andcharacteristics in each section at the institute, plan and recommend practical management methods
and improvement measures, and support their implementation for the efficient and effective
management of health and safety. The main activities in this fiscal year are as follows:ʊ Holding safety and health seminar and high-pressure gas seminar for staff and students at theinstituteʊ Inspection of and assistance in improving the health and safety management system and working
environment within the instituteʊ Holding first-aid training course
ʊ Investigation of laws related to health and safety and collection of information regarding healthand safety management
ʊ Providing advice and information to health and safety personnel in each department[Staff]
Manager: NIWANO Michio Dr., Professor
Deputy Manager: UEHARA Yoichi Dr., Professor
SATO Nobuyuki Dr., Assistant Professor
CHIBA Ayako, Clerk
Contact to㧦anzen@riec.tohoku.ac.jp59    2008 Flexible Information System Research Center
Flexible Information System Research Center

Development of Flexible Information Systems and Management of Network[Research Target and Activities]
The present information systems such as computers are
inflexible systems, because their purpose is predefined
NetworkInformation
RetrievalAgentand they provide only the fixed procedures and functions.
On the other hand the flexible information system can
NetworkInformation
perform the flexible information processing adapted to the
VisualizationAgent
human intention and situation of its environment.
Our goal is to investigate principles of the flexible
information processing through the theories andUserAgent
experiments, and establish their system construction
methodology. Moreover, we also study the flexible
distributed systems for advanced organization, utilization,
administration, operation and putting out scientificinformation. Through practical applications of above
Fig. 1 Agent based Network
results to the real network in RIEC, we confirm
Management System.
effectiveness of our methods. To achieve the above goal,
this year we have conducted the following researches: (1)development of distributed and scalable authentication method for large scale overlay network, (2)development of an agent based network management system (Fig.1) and (3) improvement of accuracyof virtual auditory display system, and flexible computing mechanism in biological systems.
Graph

Visualization

Results

File

SelectRequests

Set

Load

MakeGraphCountsSize

Date/Time

Size

Requests[Staff](1) Steering Committee㩷
Professor: SUZUKI Yôiti Dr., SHIRATORI Norio Dr., TOYAMA Yoshihito Dr., KINOSHITA Tetsuo Dr.,SHIRAI Masafumi Dr., OHORI Atsushi Dr.
(2) FIR Committee
Professor: TOYAMA Yoshihito Dr., KINOSHITA Tetsuo Dr.
Associate Professor: AOTO Takahito Dr., KITAGATA Gen Dr.
Assistant Professor: HAYAKAWA Yoshihiro Dr., YOSHIDA Masato Dr., SASANO Isao Dr., YAIRI
Satoshi Dr.
Research Fellow: SASAI Kazuto Dr.
Technical Support Member: DAIGAKU Noriko / KOBAYASHI Kenichi, SUZUKI Midori, NIITSUMA
Sachiko(3) Regular Staff
Associate Professor: KITAGATA Gen Dr.
Assistant Professor: YAIRI Satoshi Dr.
Research Fellow: SASAI Kazuto Dr.
Technical Support Member: DAIGAKU Noriko / KOBAYASHI Kenichi, SUZUKI Midori, NIITSUMA
Sachiko[Profile of Professor SUZUKI]
Refer to the Advanced Acoustic Information Systems Laboratory for the profile Prof. Y㬪iti Suzuki.
[Papers]Debasish Chakraborty, Jun Makishi, Toshiaki Osada, Gen Kitagata, Atushi Takeda, Kazuo Hashimoto, Norio
Shiratori, "Construction of Overlay Application Layer Multicast Tree for Efficient Multisource Multimedia
Communication", Proc. of the Fourth International Conference on Intelligent Computing and Information Systems(ICICIS 2009), 2009.03. (Session's Best Paper Award)

2.

Satoshi Yairi, Yukio Iwaya, Yo-iti Suzuki, "Influence of Large System Latency of Virtual Auditory Display on Sound
Localization Task", Acta Acustica united with Acustica, Vol. 94, No. 6, pp.1016-1023, November/December 2008.
Kazuto Sasai, Yukio-Pegio Gunji, "Heterarchy in biological systems: A logic-based dynamical model of abstract
biological network derived from time-state-scale re-entrant from", Biosystems, Vol. 92, No.2, pp.182-188, 2008.

3.

60

Contact to Associate Professor Gen KITAGATA㧦minatsu@fir.riec.tohoku.ac.jp

2008      

Fundamental technology center

Fundamental Technology Center

Supporting research with high-level specialized knowledge and technology

Overview of Fundamental Technology Center[Research Target and Activities]
The Fundamental Technology Center provides research support, closely linked with research
activities at the Institute, based on its high-level specialized knowledge and technology. We must
maintain and improve our organization to develop and pass on high-level knowledge and technology.
Based on this philosophy, the Center provides research support through its four Divisions.
1. Machine Shop Division
The Machine Shop Division has previously pioneered a number of new machining methods, andcontributed to research on high-density magnetic recording and many other types of research relating
to advanced information and communications. This year, there were 123 fabrication requests fromlaboratories (128 from inside the Institute, 10 from outside).
2. Evaluation Division
The Evaluation Division provides the following as measurement equipment for shared use:
Apparatus for Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, atomic force microscope, scanning electron
microscope, X-ray diffractometer, electron spin resonance spectrometer, fourier transform infrared
spectrophotometer, infrared-visible spectroscope, liquid chromatograph, optical characteristic
measurement equipment, in-air photoelectron measurement equipment, dicing saw
3. Process Division
The Process Division provides the following as measurement equipment for shared use:
Focused ion beam system, mask aligner, X-ray diffractometer for thin films, electron beam exposure
equipment,

scanning

electronmicroscope,

opticalmicroscope,scanningprobe

microscope,

spectrophotometer, digital microscope, dicing saw, UV & ozone dry stripper
4. Software Technology Division
The Software Technology Division manages, operates and develops information systems for theInstitute. To support research in each field, the Division handles tasks like disseminating information
on research results and providing services for gathering/organizing/utilizing academic information,such as space collaboration systems and a database of RIEC researchers.
[Staff]Director (Professor): NIWANO Michio Dr., Assistant Professor: SATO Nobuyuki Dr.
Technical Official : TAKYU Choichi,

AGATSUMA Shigeto, SHOJI Koichi, SUENAGA Tamotsu,

YAMASHITA Takeshi, ABE Maho, WATANABE Hiroshi, SUGAWARA Munetomo, KONNO Yuji,
YONEZAWA Ryuji
Contact to㧦eac@riec.tohoku.ac.jp61      

2008

Nation-wide Cooperative research projects

4. Nation-wide Cooperative Research Projects
The Institute has a long history of fundamental contributions in many fields of engineering andscience that include the fields of semiconductor materials and devices, magnetic recording, opticalcommunication, electromagnetic technology, applications of ultrasonic, acoustic communication,
non-linear physics and engineering, and computer software. On the basis of this rich historicalbackground the Institute was designated as National Center for Cooperative Research in 1994.
Accompanying Tohoku University’s transformation to “a national university juridical entity” in
April,2004, this institution plays a leading role on the world stage, as its researchers, both domestic
and foreign, continue the task of “investigating the theory and application of universal science andtechnology to realize communication, to the enrichment of humanity.”

In such background, the Institute organizes Nation-wide Cooperative Research Projects bycoordinating its activities with research workers. The main themes for Cooperative Research are
selected annually by the Committee for Cooperative Research. Then invitations for project
proposals and participation are extended to university faculties and government laboratories aswell as industrial research groups. Each project approved by the Faculty Council of the Institute iscarried out by a team of researchers that include members of the Institute as well as outside
participants.
The advisory Council which includes members from other institutions has an advisory function to
the Director in defining the general direction of the research at the Institute and its Nation-wide
Cooperative Research Projects.
The Project Judging Committee that includes members from the outside of Tohoku University
has a judging function for project proposals. The purpose of the Project Steering Committee is theproper operation of approved projects.

㪩㪼㫊㪼㪸㫉㪺㪿㩷㪾㫉㫆㫌㫇㫊㩷㫀㫅㫊㫀㪻㪼㩷㫋㪿㪼㩷㫀㫅㫊㫋㫀㫋㫌㫋G
2NCPPPKPI㪘㪻㫍㫀㫊㫆㫉㫐㩷㪚㫆㫌㫅㪺㫀㫃 㩷

4GSWGUVHQT proposal㪘㪻㫄㫀㫅㫀㫊㫋㫉㪸㫋㫀㫍㪼㩷㪦㪽㪽㫀㪺㪼㩷 㩷

2TQRQUCl㩿㪚㫆㫆㫇㪼㫉㪸㫋㫀㫍㪼㩷㪩㪼㫊㪼㪸㫉㪺㪿㩷㪪㪼㪺㫋㫀㫆㫅㪀

4GSWGUVHQTGXCNWCVKQP#FQRVKQP#FXKEG㪧㫉㫆㫁㪼㪺㫋㩷㪡㫌㪻㪾㫀㫅㪾㩷㪚㫆㫄㫄㫀㫋㫋㪼㪼 㩷㪧㫉㫆㫁㪼㪺㫋㩷㪪㫋㪼㪼㫉㫀㫅㪾㩷㪚㫆㫄㫄㫀㫋㫋㪼㪼㩷 㩷

62

2CTVKEKRCVKQP
4GUGCTEJ㪩㪼㫊㪼㪸㫉㪺㪿㩷㫆㫉㪾㪸㫅㫀㫑㪸㫋㫀㫆㫅㩷㫆㫌㫋㫊㫀㪻㪼㩷㫋㪿㪼㩷㫀㫅㫊㫋㫀㫋㫌㫋㪼㩷 㩷

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㩷
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㪝㪸㪺㫌㫃㫋㫐㩷㪚㫆㫌㫅㪺㫀㫃㩷      

2008

Nation-wide Cooperative research projects

Nation-wide cooperative research projects list 2008
Project Number
Research Project Theme䌈䋱䋸䋯䌁䋰䋱

Study on terahertz plasma-wave
devices based on semiconductor
Heterojunction nano-structures㩷䌈䋱䋸䋯䌁䋰䋲

Study on the improvement of
performance and reliability innonclassical group-IV semiconductor
hetero-devices䌈䋱䋸䋯䌁䋰䋳

Construction of Wearable Information
Sharing Space by Sensor Computing䌈䋱䋸䋯䌁䋰䋴

Generation of THz signals bymanagement ofnonlinear waves
developed in semiconductor devices
and circuits䌈䋱䋸䋯䌁䋰䋷

Basics and Applications ofSuperconducting Computers䌈䋱䋸䋯䌁䋱䋲

Growth of New Lead-free Piezoelectricand Optical SingleCrystals and Their
Ultrasonic Micro-spectroscopies䌈䋱䋸䋯䌁䋱䋳

Internal representation of visual
information in the brain䌈䋱䋹䋯䌁䋰䋱

Development of magnetic-dielectricmaterial using magnetic nanoparticle
assembly for ultra-high frequency
devices

Project Leader

Victor, RYZHIIThe University of Aizu
Computer Science Division
Toshiaki TSUCHIYA
Shimane University
Interdisciplinary Faculty of
Science and Engineering
Teruo HIGASHINO
Osaka University Graduate
School of Sicence Information
and Technology

Facilitator
in RIEC

TaiichiOTSUJI

Junichi
MUROTANorio
SHIRATORI

Koichi NARAHARA
Yamagata University㩷
Taiichi
Graduate School of Science andOTSUJI㩷Engineering
Yoshinao MIZUGAKIThe University ofElectro-Communications

ShigeoSATO

Jun-ichi KUSHIBIKI
School of Engineering Tohoku
Yasuo CHO
University
Satoshi SHIOIRIResearch Institute of Electrical
SatoshiCommunication, Tohoku
SHIOIRI
University
Migaku TAKAHASHINew Industry Creation
Hatchery Center, Tohoku
University

Yasuo CHO

63      

2008

Nation-wide Cooperative research projects

Project Number
Research Project Theme

Project Leader

Facilitator
in RIEC䌈䋱䋹䋯䌁䋰䋲Hiroshi UEDA
A basic research for gaining IP network Library and Information
Technology Center,Gunma
aspect
University䌈䋱䋹䋯䌁䋰䋳
Akio KIMURA
Theoretical Design and Fabrication of Hiroshima University, The
Graduate School of Science
Multi-functional Spintronics

Yukio
IWAYA

Masafumi
SHIRAI

Materials䌈䋱䋹䋯䌁䋰䋴

Valency Control of Group IV
Semiconductor Quantum Dots andTheir Application to MOS Memory䌈䋱䋹䋯䌁䋰䋵

Study of Orientation and Mobility
Training for the Persons with Visual
Impairment by using Wide-Range
Three Dimensional Acoustical
Technologies.
䌈䋱䋹䋯䌁䋰䋶

Research on accurate HRTF
measurement systems䌈䋱䋹䋯䌁䋰䋷

Study on the representation of color
signal in visual cortex䌈䋱䋹䋯䌁䋰䋸

Development of new measurement
techniques with nanometer scalespatial resolution and exploration of
the electronic and optical properties of
surface nanostructures䌈䋱䋹䋯䌁䋱䋰

On application of frequency domainbinaural model for hearing aids䌈䋱䋹䋯䌁䋱䋳

Physiological Evaluation andDevelopment of a Distributed
Multi-display System Adapting toUser's situation

64

Seiichi MIYAZAKI
Hiroshima University,
Advanced Sciences of Matter

Junichi
MUROTA

Yoshikazu SEKI
National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science andTechnology

Yukio
IWAYA

Tatsuya HIRAHARA
Toyama Prefectural University
Faculty of Engineering
Ichiro KURIKI
Research Institute of ElectricalCommunication, Tohoku
University
Yoichi UEHARA
Research Institute of ElectricalCommunication,
Tohoku University

Tsuyoshi USAGAWA
Kumamoto University,
Graduate School of Science andTechnology
Atsumi IMAMIYA
University of Yamanashi,Interdisciplinary Graduate
School of Medicine andEngineering

Yôiti
SUZUKI
IchiroKURIKI

Yoichi
UEHARAYôiti
SUZUKI

Takuo
SUGANUMA      

2008

Nation-wide Cooperative research projects

Project Number
Research Project Theme䌈䋱䋹䋯䌁䋱䋴

Study of Hot-Spot Network for Next
Generation䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋰䋱

Basic Studies in Plasma
Nanobiotronics
䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋰䋲

The Frontier of Photonic Crystal andNano-Photonic Applications䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋰䋳

Investigation of interface trap density
for an MIS structures using an ECR
sputter-deposited high-k gate-oxides
䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋰䋴

Three-DimensionalNanostructure
Formation of Strain-ControlledGroup-IV Semiconductors and Its
Device Application䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋰䋵

Fabrication of high mobility
two-dimensional hole gas

Project Leader

Kazuo TSUBOUCHI
Research Institute of ElectricalCommunication, Tohoku
University
Rikizo HATAKEYAMA
School of Engineering Tohoku
University
Shojiro KAWAKAMI
Sendai Foundation for Applied
Information Sciences

Facilitator
in RIEC

Kazuo
TSUBOUCHI

MichioNIWANO
Masataka
NAKAZAWA

Toshiro ONO
Graduate School of Science and Junichi
MUROTA
Technology Hirosaki
University
Junichi MUROTA
Research Institute of Electrical JunichiCommunication, Tohoku
MUROTA
University
Seigo TARUCHA
School of Engineering The
University of Tokyo

Yuzo
OHNO

䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋰䋶

Koji NAKAJIMA
Research Institute of ElectricalIntelligent nano-integration system
Communication, Tohoku
and its application
University䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋰䋷
Fumihiko HIROSE
Yamagata University㩷
A research on organic heterojunction
Graduate School of Science andphotovoltaic devices
Engineering䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋰䋸
Masao SUGAWARA
Nihon University College ofDevelopment of Ion-Channel Chips
Humanities and Sciences䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋰䋹
Masayuki SATO
Study of human visual stability during Faculty of Environmental
Engineering, Kitakyushu㩷
eye movements
University

Koji
NAKAJIMA

MichioNIWANO
MichioNIWANO
SatoshiSHIOIRI

65

      

2008

Project Number
Research Project Theme䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋱䋰

Learning effects of sound localizationin the binaural technology䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋱䋱

Cell-based chips using infrared
spectroscopy

Nation-wide Cooperative research projects

Project Leader

Kenji OZAWA
University of Yamanashi,Interdisciplinary Graduate
School of Medicine andEngineering

Facilitator
in RIECYôiti
SUZUKI

Yasuo SHINOHARA
MichioInstitute for Genome Research,
NIWANOThe University of Tokushima䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋱䋲

Learning effects of sound localizationin the binaural technology䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋱䋳

Study of magnetic devices withapplication of the thin film elementwith inclined stripe magnetic domain䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋱䋴

A study on advanced video content
retrieval technology䌈䋲䋰䋯䌁䋱䋵

A Study on Display-free Floating
Imaging Technology䌈䋱䋸䋯䌂䋰䋱㩷

Development of Nano-Bioelectronic
Devices䌈䋱䋸䋯䌂䋰䋴

Research on Multimedia Information
Hiding䌈䋱䋸䋯䌂䋰䋶

Exploration of
circumstance-harmonization systems
in animals and its application toengineering

66

Kaoru TAKAHASHI
Sendai National College ofTechnology
Tomoo NAKAI
Industrial Technology
Institute, Miyagi Prefectural
Government
Junji NUMAZAWA
Research Institute of ElectricalCommunication, Tohoku
University
Terumasa AOKI
Research Institute of ElectricalCommunication, Tohoku
University
Toshio OGINO
Yokohama National
University, Graduate School ofEngineering
Hideki NODA
Kyushu Institute ofTechnology, Computer Scienceand Systems Engineering
Kaoru TAKAKUSAKI
Asahikawa Medical College

Norio
SHIRATORI

Kazushi
ISHIYAMA

Junji
NUMAZAWA

Terumasa
AOKI

MichioNIWANOYôiti
SUZUKI

Masafumi
YANO      

2008

Nation-wide Cooperative research projects

Project Number
Research Project Theme䌈䋱䋸䋯䌂䋰䋸

Evolution of high performancecomputing by new electric circuit
technologies with novel concepts䌈䋱䋸䋯䌂䋰䋹

Multi-Functional Logic Using New
Paradigm Materials and Devices and
Its System Integration䌈䋱䋹䋯䌂䋰䋱

Subjectand View of Synthetic Aperture
Radar Development for Civilian Use䌈䋱䋹䋯䌂䋰䋲

Research on optical measurements ofearthquakes and their networking䌈䋱䋹䋯䌂䋰䋴

Development of Research on
Fine-Particle Plasmas䌈䋱䋹䋯䌂䋰䋵

Study on Development of Devices andApplication Systems for Next
Generation Communication andMeasuring Systems䌈䋱䋹䋯䌂䋰䋸

Dynamics of semiconductor gate-stacknanostructure formation and its
applications䌈䋱䋹䋯䌂䋰䋹

A proof theoretical approach toprinciples of program construction䌈䋱䋹䋯䌂䋱䋰

Fundamental characteristics andapplications deeply related to flow invarious plasmas䌈䋲䋰䋯䌂䋰䋱

Nanophotonics and Nanoelectronics
Devices with Metallic Nanomaterials

Project Leader

Hiroshi MATSUOKA
Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Takahiro HANYU
Research Institute of ElectricalCommunication, Tohoku
University
Atsushi MASE
Art,Science and Technology
Center for Cooperative
Research,Kyushu University
Akito㩷 ARAYA
Earthquake Research Institite,
University of Tokyo
Yasuaki HAYASHI
Kyoto Institute of Technology
Yoshio NIKAWA
Kokushikan University Schoolof Science and Engineering

Facilitator
in RIEC

Takahiro
HANYU

Takahiro
HANYU

Kazuo
TSUBOUCHI

Masataka
NAKAZAWA

MichioNIWANO

Tadashi
TAKAGI

Maki SUEMITSU
Research Institute of Electrical Maki
Communication, Tohoku
SUEMITSU
University
Masahiko SATO
Graduate School ofInformatics, Kyoto University
Akira ANDO
School of Engineering Tohoku
University

Yoshihito
TOYAMA㩷Maki
SUEMITSU

Kaoru TAMADA
Research Institute of Electrical Kaoru
Communication, Tohoku
TAMADA㩷
University67      

2008

Nation-wide Cooperative research projects

Project Number
Research Project Theme䌈䋲䋰䋯䌂䋰䋲

Development of high performancepiezoelectric materials and application
to information and communication
devices䌈䋲䋰䋯䌂䋰䋳

Research on Ultra High Density
Semiconductor Memories based on
New Conceptual Material and Storage
Principle䌈䋲䋰䋯䌂䋰䋴

Research on Nano Semiconductor
Materials and its Application to Nano
Devices䌈䋲䋰䋯䌂䋰䋵

Cooperation of Semiconductor Scienceand Technologies Toward Science
Driven Semiconductor Technologies䌈䋲䋰䋯䌂䋰䋶Development of high-performancequantum cascade lasers and theirapplications to high-sensitive sensing䌈䋲䋰䋯䌂䋰䋷

Study on High Frequency
Micromagnetics䌈䋲䋰䋯䌂䋰䋸

Advanced communication andmeasurement technologies using
phase-controlled lightwaves䌈䋲䋰䋯䌂䋰䋹

Research on Next-Generation
Peta-byte Information Storage
䌈䋲䋰䋯䌂䋱䋰

Development of Dependable System
Software with a Highly Reliable
Programming Language System

68

Project Leader

Jun-ichi KUSHIBIKI
School of Engineering Tohoku
University

Heiji WATANABE
Graduate School ofEngineering Osaka University

Kikuo YAMABE
Graduate School of Pure andApplied Sciences University ofTsukuba
Kenji SHIRAISHI
Center for Computational
Sciences University of Tsukuba

Facilitator
in RIEC

Yasuo CHO

TetsuoENDOH㩷

TetsuoENDOH㩷

Hideo
OHNO㩷

Keita OHTANI
Research Institute of Electrical Keita
Communication, Tohoku
OHTANI㩷
University
Toshiro SATO
Shinshu University faculty ofEngineering
Hidemi TSUCHIDA
National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science andTechnology
Hiroaki MURAOKA
Research Institute of ElectricalCommunication, Tohoku
University
Kazuhiko KATO
University of Tsukuba,
Graduate School of Systems
and Information Engineering

HiroakiMURAOKA
Masataka
NAKAZAWA

HiroakiMURAOKA

AtsushiOHORI㩷      

2008

Project Number
Research Project Theme

Nation-wide Cooperative research projects

Project Leader

Mizuhito OGAWA
Automatic program verification based School of Information
Science,Japan Advanced
on deduction engines
Institute of Science andTechnology䌈䋲䋰䋯䌂䋱䋲
Yasuhiko MINAMIDE
Studies on theorem provers and their University of Tsukuba,
Graduate School of Systems
applications
and Information Engineering
Hidenori㩷 MIMURA
䌈䋲䋰䋯䌓䋰䋱
Shizuoka University
Development of essential technologies Research Institute offor superhivision
Electronics
䌈䋲䋰䋯䌓䋰䋲
Kouhei ITOH
Keio University Science andSpintronics Initiative Network
Technology

Facilitator
in RIEC䌈䋲䋰䋯䌂䋱䋱

AtsushiOHORI㩷

Yoshihito
TOYAMA㩷Yôiti
SUZUKI
Hideo
OHNO

69

      

2008

Symposium

5. Symposium organized by the InstituteThis Symposium is planned to exchange relevant information on current important
topics concerning Electrical Eng., Electrical Communications, Electronic Eng., andInformation Eng. Many related researchers inside and outside Tohoku University
participate the Symposium and stimulate discussion.

Symposium In Past㩷 㩷 Title
1

Date

Quantum Electronics of Liglht Waves and Micro Waves

Feb. 6- 8, 1964

Magnetic Recording

Feb.14-15, 1964

2 Ultra-High Frequency Acoustelectronics

Feb.11-12, 1965

3 Artificial lntelligence

Mar. 8- 9, 1966

4 Thin Film Electronics

Jan.26-27, 1967

5 Crystal GrowthDec. 19-20, 1967

6 1968 Sendai Svmoosium on Acoustelectronics

Aug.19-20, 1968

7 Current Status and Future Trends of Superconductivitv

Jan.22-24, 1970

8 Soeech Information Processing

Feb.24-26, 1971

9 Surface Acoustic Wave Technology

May.25-26, 197210

Liquid Crystals · Their Molecular Orientations and Application to
Display Devices

11 Computer Network
12

The Memorial Symposium on the 40th Anniversarv of the Foundation of
RIEC

Dec.13-14, 1974
Mar.17-18, 1975
Sep.25-26, 1975

13 Application of Amorphous Ferromagnetic Materials

Mar.10-11, 1977

14 Stoichiometry of Compound Crystals

Nov.24-25, 1977

15 Submillimeter Waves

Nov.16-17, 1978

16 Solid State Chemical Sensors

Feb. 1- 2, 1980

17 Graph Theory and Algorithms

Oct.24-25, 1980

18 Perpendicular Magnetic Recording

Mar.11-12, 1982

19 Approach to Optical Computer

Mar.10-11, 1983

20 Plasma Non-Linear Phenomena - Basic Problems for Fusion Plasmas

Mar. 8- 9, 1984

21 New Computer Architecture

Jul.25-26, 1985

22 Guided Wave Technology and Its Application at Mid-Infrared

Mar.13-14,1986

23 Physics and Applications of Tunnelling Phenomena

Mar.12-14, 1987

24 Biomagnetics and Bioelectronics

Feb.26-27, 1988

25 Ultrasonic Electronics - New Applications of Piezoelectricity

Feb. 2- 3, 1989

26 Boundaries between Light and Electromagnetic Wave

Feb. 1-2, 199071      

2008

Symposium

27 Issues and Realization of Pattern Recognition and Understanding

Feb.28-Mar.1,1991

28 Discrete Algorithms

Oct.17-18, 1991

29

Perspective for New Computing Paradigm

Feb. 4- 5, 1993

Current Status and Future Prospects of System Control

Mar. 3- 4, 1993

30 Future Prospects of Electron Beam Devices

Nov. 1- 2, 1993

31 Discharge and EMC

Dec.20-21, 1994

32 Statistical Physics and Information Science

Mar.22-23,1995

33 Photo-and Plasma-Excited Processes on Surfaces

Nov.30-Dec.1,1995

34 Nano Spinics and Power Electronics

Feb.15-16, 1996

35 Potential Formation and Related Nonlinear Phenomena in Plasmas

Sep.17-19, 1996

36 New Trend in Ultrasonic Measurements

Feb. 3- 4, 199737

Toward the Realization of the High-Definition Multi-Media
Communication

International Symposium Organized by the Institute
Title

㩷
1
2

Intrinsic Josephson Effect and THz Plasma Oscillation in High Tc
Superconductors
Design and Architecture of Information Processing Systems Based on
The Brain Information Principle

3 Novel Techniques and Applications of Millimeter-Waves
4
5

The International Joint Conference on Silicon Epitaxy andHeterostructures
International Workshop on Photonic and Electromagnetic Crystal
Structures

Nov. 4- 6, 1997

Date
Feb.23-25, 1997
Mar.16-18, 1998
Dec.14-16, 1998
Sep.13-17, 1999
Mar.8-10, 2000

6 Physics and Application Spin Related Phenomena in Semiconductors

Sep.13-15, 2000

7 Rewriting in Proof and Computation

Oct.25-27, 2001

8 Nonlinear Theory and its Applications

Oct.28-Nov.1,
2001

9 New Paradigm VLSI Computing

Dec.12-14, 2002

10 Ultra High Density Spinic Storage System

Oct.23-24, 2003

11 3rd International Workshop on New Group IV (Si-Ge-C) Semiconductors

Oct.12-13, 2004

1213

3rd International Workshop on High Freaqency Micromagnetic Devices
and Materials (MMDM3)
4th International Conference on Silicon Epitaxy and Heterostructures(lCSl-4)

72

Apr.11-12, 2005
May.23-26, 2005      

14
15
16
17
18
19

2008

Symposium

1st International WorkShop on New Group IV Semiconductor
Nanoelectronics
GSIS International Symposium on Information Sciences of New Era:
Brain, Mind and Society
The 1st RIEC International Workshop on Spintronics -Spin Transfer
Phenomena4th International Workshop on High Frequency Micromagnetic Devices
and Materials (MMDM4)
4th International Conference on Physics and Applications of
Spin-Related Phenomena in Semiconductors (PASPS-lV)
2nd International Workshop on New Group IV Semiconductor
Nanoelectronics

May.27-28. 2005
Sep.26-27, 2005
Feb.8-9, 2006
May 8,2006
Aug.15-18,2006
Oct.2-3,2006

20 2nd RIEC International Workshop on Spintronics

Feb.15-16,2007

21 Japan-China Joint Conference on acoustics, JCA2007

Jun.4-6,2007

22

International Conference on Discovery Science/
International Conference on Algorithmic Learning Theory

23 The 3rd RIEC International Workshop on Spintronics
24

3rd International Workshop on New Group 㸊Semiconductor
Nanoelectronics

25 International Workshop on Nanostructures & Nanoelectronics

Oct.1-4,2007
Oct.
31-Nov.1,2007
Nov.8-9,2007
Nov.21-22,2007

The 18th International Symposium on Algorithms andDec.17-19,2007
Computation(ISAAC2007)
International Interdisciplinary-Symposium on Gaseous and Liquid27㩷
Sep.5-6,2008㩷
Plasmas (ISGLP 2008)㩷
4th International Workshop on New Group IV Semiconductor28㩷
Sep.25-27,2008㩷
Nanoelectronics㩷
26

29㩷 The 4th RIEC International Workshop on Spintronics㩷

Oct.9-10,200873      

2008Study Groups on Electrical Communication

6. Study groups on Electrical Communication
Study Groups on Electrical Communication are organized to solve scientific and technologicalproblems and to promote research and development through the collaboration of the ResearchInstitute of Electrical Communication, Depts. of Electrical Eng., Electrical Communications,Electronic Eng., Information Eng., and related scientists and engineers inside and outside Tohoku
University. The Study Groups on Electrical Communication consist of 14 Sub-Groups as listed
below, to deal with specific subjects. Each Sub-Group holds workshops. The abstracts of theworkshops are published annually in The Record of Electrical and Communication Engineering

Conversazione Tohoku University.
Many scientists and engineers㧙not only from universities but also from government laboratories
and industries㧙attend the workshops, present papers, and discuss issues actively. We are pleased
to provide information on these activities upon request. Please contact each Sub-Group Chairman
or manager for general information or more specific questions.

Electromagnetic and Optical Waves Engineering
Chair

Prof. Hirohito YAMADAManager

Associate Prof.  Yasuo OHTERAAcoustic Engineering
Chair

Prof. Yôiti SUZUKIManager

Associate Prof.  Akinori ITOManager

Assistant Prof.  Shuichi SAKAMOTO

Sendai "Plasma Forum"
Chair

Prof. Rikizo HATAKEYAMAManager

Associate Prof.  Satoru IIZUKA

Sendai Seminar on EMC
ChairProf. Hideaki SONEManagerProf. Masahiro YAMAGUCHI

75

      

2008Study Groups on Electrical Communication

Computer Science
Chair

Prof. Naoki KOBAYASHIManager

Associate Prof.  Takahito AOTO

Systems Control
Chair

Prof. Makoto YOSHIZAWAManager

Associate Prof.  Takashi WATANABE

Information-biotronics
Chair

Prof. Michio NIWANOManagerProf. Tatsuo YOSHINOBU

Spinics
Chair

Prof. Kazushi ISHIYAMAManager

Associate Prof.  Fumihiro SATOManager

Assistant Prof.  Shuichiro HASHINew Paradigm Computing
Chair

Prof. Michitaka KAMEYAMAManager

Assistant Prof.  Naofumi HOMMA

Ultrasonic Electronics
Chair

Prof. Shinichirou UMEMURAManager

Assistant Prof.  Shin YOSHIZAWA

76      

2008Study Groups on Electrical Communication

Integration of Brain Functions
Chair

Prof. Koji NAKAJIMAManager

Associate Prof.  Shigeo SATO

Mathematical Physics and its Application to Information Sciences
Chair

Prof. Kazuyuki TANAKAManagerProf. Kazuyuki TANAKA

Biocybernetics and Bioinformatics
Chair

Prof. Mitsuyuki NAKAO

Manager

Assistant Prof.  Yoshinari MAKINO

Nanoelectronics and Spintronics
Chair

Prof. Hideo OHNOManager

Associate Prof.  Yuzo OHNO

77

2008      
7.

International activities

International activities

Many of the staff in RIEC contribute to the development of technology and science inthe world by serving as editors of referees of international journals or by chairing or
programming international conferences. In some fields in electronics, electricalcommunications, or information engineering RIEC serves as a Center of Excellence(COE), which attracts many visiting researchers and students from all over the world
every year. Several academic exchange programs with foreign colleges or institutes arein operation.
International academic exchange programs:
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z

The Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences (Poland)
The Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorm University (Thailand)
Harbin Institute of Technology (China)
The James Frank Institute, The University of Chicago (U.S.A.)
Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London (U.K.)
Scientific Research Department, Shenzhen University (China)
Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Sung-Kyun-Kwan University (Korea)
Institute of Materials Science, Faculty of Applied Physics, University of Twente (Netherlands)
The Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia)
Department of Electronics Science and Engineering, University of Nanjing (China)
School of Computer and Communication Engineering, Taegu University (Korea)
Research Center of Condensed Materials and Nanosciences, National Center for Scientific Research (France)
IHP-Innovations for High Performance microelectronics (Germany)
Institute of Semiconductors Chinese Academy of Sciences (China)

International journals in which a staff in RIEC participates as an editor:
1.㩷

Acoustical Science and Technology

2.㩷

Applied Acoustics

3.㩷

Electronics Express

4.㩷

International Journal of Communication Systems(IJCS)

5.㩷

International Journal of Infrared, Millimeters, and terahertz Waves

6.㩷

Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, The Institute of Pure and Applied Physics

7.㩷

Journal of Applied Physics

8.㩷
9.㩷

Journal of Communications and Network(JCN)
Journal of Higher - Order and Symbolic
Computation

10.㩷

Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials

11.㩷

Optical Fiber Technology79      

2008International activities

12.㩷

Optics Communications

13.㩷

Smiconductor Science and Technology, Institute of Physics

14.㩷

Solid State Communidations

15.㩷

Superlattices and Microstructures

16.㩷

Virtual Journal of Nano scale Science and Technology, American Institute of Physics /America Physical Society

Recent international conferences programmed by a staff in RIEC:
1.

14th International Conference on Modulated Semiconductor Structures(MSS-14 2009)2.

1st International Workshop on Si based nano-electronics and -photonics (SiNEP-09)

3.

2009 International Conference on Solid State Devices and Materials (SSDM)

4.

Asia-Pacific Conference on Vision2010

5.

20th International Colloquim on Magnetic Films and Surfaces, 20096.
7.

2nd Semiconductor Technology for Ultra Large Scale Integrated Circuits and Thin
Film Transistors (ULSIC vs. TFT)
38th International School & Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors "Jaszowiec"
2009

8.

5th Int. Workshop on New Group IV Semiconductor Nanoelectronics

9.

5th International Conference on Molecular Electronics and Bioelectronics (M&BE5)

10.

11.

5th International School and Conference on Spintronics and Quantum Information
Technology, 2009
5th RIEC Int. Workshop on Spintronics, RIEC-CNSI Workshop on Nanoelectronics,
Spintronics and Photonics, 200912.

6th International Conference on Silicon Epitaxy and Heterostructures (ICSI-6)

13.

Engineering Conference International (ECI), 200914.

European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC)

15.

European Solid-State Device Research Conference (ESSDERC)

16.

Fuji International Symposium on Functional and Logic Programming (FLOPS2008)17.

Global Symposium on Millimeter Waves 2009 (GSMM2009)18.

IEEE Computer Society Technical Committee on Multiple-Valued Logic (TCMVL)

19.

IEEE International Magnetics Conference (INTERMAG2009)80      

2008International activities

20.

International Conference of Magnetism (ICM 09)

21.

International Conference on Indium Phosphide and Related Materials䊶(IPRM2010)

22.

International Conference on infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz waves

23.

International Symposium on Graphene Devices

24.

International Symposium on Surface Science and Nanotechnology㩷 (ISSS-5)

25.

International Workshop on the Principles and Application of Spatial Hearing

26.

Sixth International Conference on Physics and Application of Spin-related
Phenomena in Semiconductors (PASPS) 2010

27.

SPIE Defense and28.

Symp. E10: "ULSI Process Integration6" , 216th Meeting of the Electrochem. Soc.

29.

The 11th Joint MMM-Intermag Conference 2010

30.
31.
32.
33.

Security Conference 2009

The 2010 International Conference on Computational Science and Its Applications(ICCSA2010)
The 20th Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications Symposium 2009
(PIMRC '09)
The 8th Pacific Rim Conference on lasers and Electro- Optics (CLEO/PR20䊶09)
The ACM SIGPLAN Workshop on Types in Language Design and Implementation(TLDI2009)34.

The Eighth Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Conference (PMRC)

35.

The Korean Magnetic Society

36.

The Sixth International Conference on Ubiquitous Intelligence and Computing(UIC2009)

37.

Topical Workshop on Heterostructure Microelectronics (TWHM)

38.

International Symposium on Nonlinear Theory and its Applications (NOLTA)

81      

2008Periodicals published by the institute

8. Periodicals Published by the Institute

The Institute publishes the following two periodicals to inform readers on recent research results of
the Institute.

1. The Record of Electrical and Communication Engineering Conversazione Tohoku University

This journal aims at providing an opportunity to publish research results of the Institute as well as
the result of the Departments of Electrical Engineering, Communication Engineering, Electronics
Engineering, and Information Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering. Since the journal also aims
at publishing general research activities of the Institute and of the Departments such as records of the
final lectures of retiring professors, records of the Institute Symposium, and reviews.

The name of the Journal ‘Conversazione’ is attributable to the ‘Tuesday Conversazione’ at the
Department of Electrical Engineering, which had been held once a week on Tuesday since around 1920.
Minutes of the meetings had been distributed to researchers outside of the University via various
routes and therefore some of them had been referred to as 'Records of Tuesday Electrical Engineering
Conversazione Tohoku University' with the result that they came to be treated as official publications.

Though the meeting was once interrupted by World War Two, it was restarted in 1947. In 1952, thepublication of the records was succeeded by the Institute and the records have been published asperiodicals, two or three times a year recently, since No. 1 Vol. 21 was published in July, 1952.

2. The Annual Report of Research Activity at the Research Institute of Electrical Communication,
Tohoku University

Published annually since 1995. This report details the activities of each research division andresearch facility. Also included are reports on nation-wide co-operative research projects, international
symposium and seminars organized by members of RIEC, and the reports and evaluation on the RIEC
advisory board members. English edition(digest version of Japanese edition) has been publishedsince 2007.

83      

2008

Staff, Land and Buildings,Budget

9. Staff,Land and Buildings,Budget
1. Staff(2008.8.1)
Classification

Professors

Research
Administration Office
Laboratory
Laboratory Center for Fundamen
for
tal
for
21st
GeneralDivision Nanoelectro
Accounti
Head
Brainware
century Technology
Affairs
nics andng Group
Official
Centersysystems Information
Group
Spintronics
Technology
19
3
4
3

Associate Professors

12

4

1

Assistant Professors

18

4

6

Research Fellows

14

7

2

18

1

24

28

16

1

Administrative Officials
63

18

29

1

Technical Officials
Total

Total

13

5

16

1

18

1

6

7

14

1

7

8

131

2.Land and Buildings
Site:
Total䇭building area:
Total floor area:
Name of Buildings
Building No.1

Katahira 2-1-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan㪉
12,913m
㪉
28,776m
Structure
Reinforced Concrete, 4 floors(2008.8.1)
Year of Completion Floor Area
Building-S:1962,1963

7,772m2

Building-N:1959,1960

Reinforced Concrete, 4 floors
Building No.2
Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Steel-flame, 5 floors
Spintronics

1962, 1963

7,085m2

2004

7,375m2

Laboratory for Brainware sysystems Reinforced Concrete, 1 floor

1967, 1968, 1972

525m2

Reinforced Concrete(partly steel-flame), 2 floors

1986

1,553m2

Steel-frame 1 floor

1996

598m

2
2

Light-weight steel-frame, 2 floors

1999

147m

Research Center for 21st century
Information Technology

Reinforced Concrete, 3 floors

1930

1,343m2

Steel-frame 1 floor

2002

435m2

Evaluation and Analysis Center

Reinforced Concrete, 2 floors

1981

790m2

Helium Sub-Center

Reinforced Concrete(partly light-weight steel-flame), 1 floor 1972

166m2

Machine Shop

Reinforced Concrete(partly light-weight steel-flame), 1 floor 1965, 1966, 1978

479m2

Others

508m2

Total

28,776m2

3.Budget(Unit:1,000yen)
Research Grant

Financial Year

Personnel
Expenditure

Supplies
Expenditure

Ministry of
Education,Science andCulturePartnership Between
Universities andIndustry

total

2004

902,978

1,233,357

338,459

1,432,607 3,907,401

2005

984,113

1,050,647

554,680

1,303,028 3,892,468

2006

971,482

927,090599,040

937,441 3,435,053

2007

970,961

813,724700,615

888,833 3,374,133

2008

879,481

953,000

694,883

1,069,832 3,597,196

85

      

2008

Afterword

10. Afterword
The state of universities closely depends on the social situation. The modern
civilizations have been mainly supported by the modern science and technology, whichhave been developed by the concept of the subject-object separation, which is called
Cartesian dualism. That is, nature was cordoned off from human beings and objectified.
What is important here is that nature was cut off and one phenomenon seemed to occur
independently from others. It leads us to rid ourselves of all of nature’s complexity andmakes it extremely simple. In other words, we attempted to find rules of an ideal worldthat we can regard nature as being homogeneous.
What was essential was that these isolated worlds would not interfere with each other.
If so, by summing up the analytical worlds that were sought, the whole world could beconstructed in its entirety. These traditional approaches were rather easy to understand,and because of that, they were accepted rather widely. By pursuing this approach, thenatural sciences have acquired a universality and predictability, while evolving into a
powerful methodology. But anyway, the modern society was constituted by thisapproach to the natural sciences. By working together in the natural science and theengineering, we have created a society with the objective of making it highly affluent.
The problem, however, is that this separation of self and other has been applied to therealm of human activities as well. This means an objectification of the various humanactivities themselves. Against this objectified activity, an objective of self-completion isestablished. From what we have heard here today, in business and academia as well,
the goal is self-completion. There is no existing theory that would apply limits to theobjective of attaining self-completion itself. That is why, for example, if it takes theform of the pursuit of profit, then profit is pursued without limit.
The doctrine of competition on the world market has spread all over the world,
involving Japan as a matter of course. For impartial competition, it requires
liberalization and internationalization of trade, and information technology for higher
efficiency. That is the entity of the globalization. Thus the modern science andtechnology has brought about great change of social structure and industrial structure,form age of ideological opposition to age of economical competition.
 Especially, information science and communication technology have rapidly
developed, which are great useful tools to win in competition on the world market.
Particularly in the USA, the information technology has been adopted very early ineconomic activities. In consequence, the USA has been the top runner in the world87      

2008

Afterword

market. In modern society to promote efficiency is a crucial factor of a struggle forexistence in the world market. Now the information technology intensifies thecompetitive nature of present-day market.
The market principle has been brought into the universities, that is, the university isevaluated by the market value. To market universities, it is necessary to evaluate thecurrent states of universities numerically. Fundamentally it is, however, impossible toestimate the quality of the research and education in numbers. So there are great
limitations for the numerical estimation of the universities. Originally the universities
are assigned the essential role of inheriting and creating culture. It is needless to say thatthe universities of our country should contribute not only to the current prosperity of ourcountry but the future one. For this purpose it is necessary to raise further the culturallevel of our nation, which is exactly the mission of the universities. Now we must takeleave to the age of endless materialistic desires,” More is better”, and open the age offine quality of life, “Enough is best”.
We have philosophically redefined in 2001 what RIEC should be. “It is possible forhuman society to sustainably develop, only when a barrier-free communication is
guaranteed. Devoting ourselves to the research of information science andcommunication technology, we will contribute to the prosperity and development of ourown country, and extensively to the progress of the culture and welfare of mankind.” All
the staff in our institute will assume the responsibility to information andcommunication systems in Japan, and each research activity should be approved by thenation. Academic freedom of how to approach the problems is a right of all researchers,
but each is accountable for his/her own study. For doing our duty, we need to show what
we are doing and what the future of the information science and communication
technology will be. This annual report presents our daily research activities, so I greatly
appreciate your frank and critical comments on our activities.

88Research Institute of Electrical Communication
Tohoku University
2-1-1Katahira, Aobaku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
Tel. +81-(0)22-217-5422 Fax. +81-(0)22-217-5426
http://www.riec.tohoku.ac.jp/