Research Institute ofElectrical Communication
Tohoku University
2012/2013

CONTENTS• Chronology……………………………………………1• Organization …………………………………………5• Nation-wide Cooperative Research Projects …8• Research Fields ……………………………………9• Research Division
Information Devices Division ………………11
Broadband Engineering Division…………18Human Information Systems Division ……26
Systems & Software Division ………………32
Sponsored Division ……………………………39• Laboratory for Nanoelectronics
and Spintronics …………………………………41• Laboratory for Brainware Systems …………47

IEEE Electrical Engineering Milestone
for Yagi-Uda Antenna• Research Center for 21st Century
Information Technology……………………52• Flexible Information System Research Center …55• Fundamental Technology Center ……………57• Management Office for Safety and Health …58• Research Activities
Study Groups on Electrical Communication …59
Symposiums Organized by the Institute …59
Periodicals Published by the Institute ……61
• Educatonal Activities……………………………62• International Activities …………………………62• RIEC Open Day ……………………………………64• Staff …………………………………………………65

IEEE Electrical Engineering Milestone
for Yagi-Uda Antenna（in Katahira Campus）

Greeting from the Director

Director Prof.
Masataka NAKAZAWA

③

①

②

① Experimental equipment for Yagi-Uda Antenna（1929）② Experimental equipment for Split Anode Magnetron（1927）③ Experimental equipment for AC-bias magnetic recording（1937）

It would be no exaggeration to say that we owe thecivilization created between the nineteenth and the twenty-first
centuries, as represented by such technologies as thetelephone, television, personal computer, mobile phone, andthe Internet, to the information and communications industry
and the electronics industry. The volume of information andcommunications in Japan today is growing at a rate of 40
percent annually, even as GDP remains level, and in twenty
years’ time the industry will be handling one thousand times its
current capacity. The evolution of information andcommunications technologies is becoming ever more important
as we draw closer to a highly advanced information society
where accurate data can be exchanged with anyone,
anywhere, at any time.
Tohoku University’s Research Institute of ElectricalCommunication was established in 1935 in affiliation with the
School of Engineering, where pioneering work on informationand communications had already resulted in breakthroughssuch as the Yagi-Uda antenna and the split-anode magnetron.
Well known both by its Japanese abbreviation “Tsuken” and by
the acronym RIEC, the Institute has contributed in no small
measure to the progress that has been made on
telecommunications technology over the past 75 years. From
its early work with weak-current electricity, RIEC first became aleader in the field of electromagnetic and electronic devices.
We have since added transmission, human interface, andsoftware technologies, and today our integrated researchcovers everything from devices to software. Our organizationconsists of four major research divisions (Information Devices,
Broadband Engineering, Human Information Systems, andSystems and Software), two experimental facilities (theLaboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics, and theLaboratory for Brainware Systems), and the Research Centerfor 21st Century Information Technology, or IT21.
These facilities pursue cutting-edge research anddevelopment centered on devices, networks, human interfaces,and software technology, with research interests that extend
from materials to information services and even artificial hearts
and the movements of living organisms.
The disaster that struck the Tohoku region on March 11 oflast year brought to light many issues affecting the informationand communications infrastructure. In particular, the task ofbuilding a disaster-resistant network falls naturally to our
Tohoku University Group of Electrical Engineering,
Communication Engineering, Electronic Engineering, andInformation Engineering, with its nearly 80 laboratories, and weare committed to meet this challenge. To that end, a number ofthe university’s institutions have collaborated in establishing a
new organization, the Tohoku University [Research
Organization of Electrical Communication]. We will work to
identify real needs by asking people in the disaster-stricken
areas what problems they faced, then bring our proposedsolutions to the practical stage as quickly as possible incooperation with local authorities in the affected areas, througha partnership among academia, industry, and government. The
scale of this challenge will require a nationwide response, and I
anticipate that many innovative technologies will emerge as aresult of this concerted approach.
I look forward to your continuing support and encouragement
as we at RIEC forge ahead toward achieving our goals, unitedin our renewed commitment and enthusiasm.

Chronology
1. Birth
Telecommunications research at Tohoku University began in 1919 with the establishment of the Department ofElectrical Engineering in the university's School of Engineering. In that era, work was centered on strong-current
electrical engineering, but upon the establishment of this department attention turned to weak-current electricalengineering.
In 1924, the Saito Foundation granted what in those days was a huge sum to fund research by threeprofessors, Hidetsugu Yagi, Heiichi Nukiyama, and Shigetaro Chiba, into communication methods using
electricity. As a result, telecommunications related research was conducted systematically for the first timein Japan. The department was subsequently strengthened by the addition of a succession of gifted young
researchers such as Yasushi Watanabe, Masatoshi Matsudaira, Kinjiro Okabe, Shintaro Uda, Kenzo Nagai,
and Katsuichiro Kobayashi. The fruits of their research were considerable, as reflected by the publication ofnumerous papers in journals both in Japan and overseas that attracted widespread attention.
Along with subsequent advances in telecommunications technologies and the spread of communications
equipment, the importance of telecommunications related research became increasingly recognized, fueling agroundswell of opinion in favor of setting up a research establishment to undertake telecommunications researchat the Tohoku Imperial University. The university's statutes were revised and an affiliated telecommunications
research institute was established. Professor Heiichi Nukiyama was appointed as the first head of the new
institute, and he had a full-time staff comprising three assistant professors, six assistants, and one secretary.
Given its intended evolution into an entity independent of the Department of Electrical Engineering, thisresearch institute was designed to function in parallel with the School of Engineering, but shared premises with
the Department of Electrical Engineering, and its research facilities were conventional. It maintained an arm's
length relationship with the Department of Electrical Engineering and the number of people who functioned
effectively as regular staff was far larger than the number of regular staff prescribed by its statutes. This
strengthened both the organization and the content of its research, enabling it to produce noteworthy results.

2. Cradle and growth
In response to society’s need for telecommunications engineers, the Department of Electrical Communication
was established within the School of Engineering in 1941. As part of a three-entity cooperative structurethat included the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Department of Electrical Communication, theResearch Institute of Electrical Communication (RIEC) achieved considerable success in a diverse range of
research projects and produced a large number of skilled personnel through its research and education activities.
In this way, it steadily built up a tradition of combined operations.
As a result of a statutory change, in 1944, RIEC, hitherto a telecommunications research institute affiliatedwith Tohoku University, was given the status of an integral research institute. It had an independent research
institute structure comprising five divisions staffed by full-time professors, but firmly retained a system of close
links with the Department of Electrical Engineering and with communications engineering.
During the difficult circumstances of the postwar period, work continued in the research facilities, which had
narrowly escaped wartime destruction. As a result of the promulgation of the National School Establishment Act
in 1949, Tohoku University was re-established with the status of a national university, and RIEC became one of
its integral research institutes.

1 RIEC2012/2013

Owing to the subsequent rapid progress made in the field of electronics, there were successive increases
in the number of research divisions with the addition of one in 1954 and 1957, four in 1961, three in 1962 and
1963, and one in each of 1965, 1969, and 1976. This saw RIEC develop into a major research institute with 20
research divisions and some 100 teaching staff.
The year 1956 saw the completion of the institute's first independent building (currently part of the Institute ofMultidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials) on the Katahira Campus, formerly in the Sakurakoji district of
Sendai. The end of March 1963 saw the completion of a new building (currently S Block No. 1 Building) that was
double the size of its predecessor on the Katahira Campus formerly in the Minami Rokken-cho district, marking
the beginning of a move from the Sakurakoji district to the Minami Rokken-cho district. When the School ofEngineering transferred to Aobayama in 1966, the former Department of Electronic Engineering building (currently
N Block, No. 1 Building) became an RIEC building, as did the building (currently No. 2 Building) of the Training
School of Engineering Teachers upon its closure in 1969. This completed the transfer of all the divisions.
The Laboratory for Microelectronics (operating for a limited period until March 1994) was established in 1984,
and the Super Clean Room block was completed in 1986. The Laboratory for Electronic Intelligent Systems wasestablished in April 1994 as an advanced version of the Laboratory for Microelectronics.
In 1958 the electricity related departments of the School of Engineering, with which RIEC was closely
associated, were supplemented by the addition of the Department of Electronic Engineering. Subsequent
milestones included the establishment of the Research Center for Applied Information Science in 1972 andincreases in the number of information engineering majors in the Graduate School of Engineering in 1973 and in
the information engineering departments in the School of Engineering in 1984. With this as a basis, the Graduate
School of Information Sciences was newly established in 1993.
With greater emphasis being placed on graduate schools, in 1994 the electrical, communication science, andelectronic engineering majors in the Graduate School of Engineering became electrical and communicationengineering and electronic engineering majors. With greater emphasis being placed on graduate schools, in1994 the courses in electrical, communication science, and electronic engineering in the Graduate School ofEngineering were replaced with courses in electrical and communication engineering and electronic engineering.
A total of nine courses were instituted, including full-time courses. In addition, four electricity related departments
and the Department of Applied Physics were amalgamated in 2007 to form the Department of Information
and Intelligent Systems. In addition, 2008 saw the establishment of Japan's first Department of Biomedical
Engineering, with the aim of fusing medicine and engineering with active input from the electrical field. In 2012,
the Department of Electrical and Communications Engineering of the Graduate School of Engineering was
reorganized as the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Department of Communications Engineering.

3. Development: From national collaborative research institute to joint usage/
research centerIn 1995 RIEC celebrated the 60th anniversary of its establishment. To mark the occasion it sought to meet theneeds of the impending advanced information society by reorganizing itself as a national collaborative research
institute. In June 1994, approval was given for RIEC to become a national collaborative research institute engaging
in both theoretical and applied research relating to high-density and advanced information communications,whereupon it reorganized into three broad research divisions: Brain Computing, Materials Science and Devices,
and Coherent Wave Engineering. In addition, to replace the Laboratory for Microelectronics, which had reached

RIEC2012/2013 2

its specified duration, the Laboratory for Electronic Intelligent Systems was established across the threedivisions.
The backdrop to this was the IT revolution, characterized by rapid progress in information and communication
technologies, which made the information society a reality. To ensure that RIEC played a leading role in theinformation society, in 2001 its philosophy, objectives, and goals were reformulated.
RIEC has defined its philosophy as follows: "Close and smooth communication between people is fundamental
to maintaining and developing a flourishing and humane society. We will contribute to the well-being not onlyof Japan but also of human society as a whole through the rapid development of science and technology
related to communication." In addition, RIEC pledged that, based on the results of research conducted
hitherto in relation to high-density and advanced information communications, it would play a pivotal role inundertaking comprehensive research into the theory and application of science and technology that will provide
communication approaches that benefit humankind.
Also, in April 2002, RIEC established the Research Center for 21st Century Information Technology incompliance with a ministerial ordinance. Straddling the three research divisions, the center's aim is to address,
through collaborations between industry and academia, the changes that occur in the fabric of society, leading to
the creation of new information and communication industries.
In 2009, major changes were made to the organization of university research institutes and centers; thenational collaborative research institutes were abolished, and joint usage/research centers were established. A
council for joint usage/research centers was set up in April 2010. These centers involve not only the joint use of
facilities but also the conduct of joint research; something that is strongly desired by the research community.
At the time of the change to a collaborative research institute in 1994, RIEC's intention was to operate with
its orientation towards joint research, gathering research scientists together from a broad range of backgrounds
both within Japan and overseas, and pursuing joint research projects. In this regard, RIEC anticipated the main
goal of these new centers. In recognition of its achievements, RIEC has been accredited as a joint usage/
research center.

4. Leap forward: As a world center of excellence
To realize RIEC's philosophy and goals in the coming era of next-generation global, ubiquitous information
communication, an appropriate research system has been put in place. In fiscal 2004 a reorganization wasundertaken that considered the research time scale, in addition to the research fields themselves. Research
was divided broadly into short-, medium-, and long-term research, and we introduced flexibility to enable
the organization to be changed fluidly according to the progress of the research. A major role in shortterm research is played by the Research Center for 21st Century Information Technology, which facilitates
the practical application of the excellent research results achieved by RIEC within approximately five years
through collaboration between industry and academia. We have also set up a Laboratory for Nanoelectronics
and Spintronics to engage in research over medium-term spans of approximately 10 years. It undertakes
comprehensive and intensive research into material and device technologies based on nanotechnology. We
have also established the Laboratory for Brainware Systems, whose aim is to build intelligent integrated systems
that break down the barriers of present-day information technologies, conducting fundamental research witha view to practical applications. To promote research at the Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics, inMarch 2004 we completed the Nanoelectronics and Spintronics integrated research block, which is equipped

3 RIEC2012/2013

with the latest technology.
Long-term research has been reorganized into four major research divisions. The Materials Science andDevices Division and the Coherent Wave Engineering Division, which developed scientific techniques fortransmitting large volumes of information accurately at high speed, are both in fields in which RIEC has
traditionally been strong. These units have been reorganized into the Information Devices Division and theBroadband Engineering Division, respectively. Moreover, to build an advanced information society in whichhumankind and the environment are in harmony, we have established the Human Information Systems
Division, which aims to elucidate the ways in which human beings process information, and the Systems andSoftware Division, whose goal is to develop software and systems to advance and enhance the information andcommunication systems that underpin the information society.
RIEC has structures for close cooperation in the spheres of research and education with the School ofEngineering (Electrical Engineering, Communications Engineering and Electronic Engineering), the Graduate
School of Information Sciences, and the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering. At the same time itwelcomes researchers from within Japan and from all over the world, and as a world center of excellence its duty
is to engage vigorously in research activities in a wide range of fields related to telecommunications. Building on
the proud record of achievement of our distinguished predecessors and colleagues, we are entering a new era
in which we hope to make further leaps forward amid the rapid development of information and communication
technologies and the rising tide of globalization.

RIEC2012/2013 4

Organization
1.Organization Chart
Information Devices Division
Director

Advisory
Council
DeputyDirector

Broadband Engineering Division

Research
Divisions
Human Information Systems Division
FacultyCouncil
Systems & Software Division

Sponsored Division
Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics

Research
Facilities

Laboratory for Brainware Systems

Research Center for 21st Century
Information Technology
Management Oﬃce for Safety and HealthCommon Research Facilities

Flexible Information System Research Center
Fundamental Technology Center

Administration Oﬃce

5 RIEC2012/2013

Nano-Photoelectronics
Quantum-Optical Information Technology
Solid State Electronics
Dielectric Nano-Devices
Materials Functionality Design
Magnetic Devices(Visitor Section)
Ultrahigh-Speed Optical Communication
Applied Quantum Optics
Advanced Wireless Information Technology
Information Storage Systems
Ultra-Broadband Signal Processing
Basic Technology for Broadband Communication(Visitor Section)
Electromagnetic Bioinformation Engineering
Advanced Acoustic Information Systems
Visual Cognition and Systems
Ubiquitous Communications System
Multimodal Computing (Visitor Section)
Software Construction
Computing Information Theory
Communication Network
Information Contents
Information Social Structure(Visitor Section)
Environmental-Adaptive Information and Communication Engineering
Nano-Integration Devices and Processing
Semiconductor Spintronics
Nano-Molecular Devices
Nano-Spin Memory
Real-World ComputingIntelligent Nano-Integration System
New Paradigm VLSI System
Project Planning Division
Technology Development Division:
Mobile Wireless Technology Group
Storage Technology Group(Visitor Section)
Intelligence Archive Group(Visitor Section)

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

RIEC2012/2013 6

2.Staff
Classification(2012.5.1)

DivisionLaboratory for
Nanoelectronics
and Spintronics

Laboratory for
Brainware
Systems
3

Fundamental
Technology
CenterAdministration
Office

Total

Professors

19

3

Associate Professors

25

15

3

Assistant Professors

15

3

6

24

Research Fellows

19

2

1

22

18

Technical Officials
Administrative Officials
Total

68

11

10

13

1

14

13

16
17

16
119

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

Katahira 2-1-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
12,913m2
28,776m2(2012.5.1)

Structure
Reinforced Concrete, 4 floors

Building No.2
Reinforced Concrete, 4 floors
Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics Steel-frame, 5 floors
Reinforced Concrete, 1 floor
Laboratory for
Brainware Systems
Reinforced Concrete(partly steel-frame), 2 floors
Steel-frame 1 floor
Light-weight steel-frame, 2 floors
Research Center for 21st Century Reinforced Concrete, 3 floors
Information Technology
Steel-frame 1 floor
Evaluation and Analysis Center Reinforced Concrete, 2 floors
Helium Sub-Center
Reinforced Concrete(partly light-weight steel-frame),1 floor
Machine Shop
Reinforced Concrete(partly light-weight steel-frame),1 floor
Others
Total

Year of Completion Floor Area
Building-S:1962,1963
7,772m2
Building-N:1959,1960
1962,1963
7,085m2
2004
7,375m2
1967,1968,1972
525m2
1986
1,553m2
1996
598m2
1999
147m2
1930
1,343m2
2002
435m2
1981
790m2
1972
166m2
1965,1966,1978
479m2
508m2
28,776m2

4.Budget(Unit:1,000Yen)

Financial Personnel
Supplies
Ministry of Education,
Year
Expenditure Expenditure Science and Culture
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011

7 RIEC2012/2013

970,961
879,481
1,026,511
777,776
835,898

813,724
953,000
1,562,318
735,496
1,174,027

700,615
694,883
605,100
418,680
469,840

Partnership Between
Universities and Industry

Leading-edge Research
Promotion Fund

Total

888,833
1,069,832
798,053
962,712
1,122,944

00400,440
1,034,827
813,777

3,374,133
3,597,196
4,392,422
3,929,491
4,416,486

Nation-wide Cooperative Research
Projects

The Institute has a long history of fundamental contributions in many fields of engineering and sciencethat include the fields of semiconductor materials and devices, magnetic recording, optical communication,
electromagnetic technology, applications of ultrasonics, acoustic communication, non-linear physics andengineering, and computer software. On the basis of this rich historical background the Institute was designatedas 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 and technology to realize communication, to the enrichment of humanity.”
In such background, the Institute organizes Nation-wide Cooperative Research Projects by coordinating its
activities with research workers. The main themes for Cooperative Research are selected annually by theCommittee for Cooperative Research Projects. Then invitations for project proposals and participation areextended to university faculties and government laboratories as well as industrial research groups. Each projectapproved by the Faculty Council of the Institute is carried 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 the proper operation of approved projects.

Director

Advisory Council
CooperaƟve Research
Projects CommiƩee

Outline of the KƉĞƌĂƟŽŶ Policy

Act ĂƐ a ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ center for allŽƉĞƌĂƟŽŶƐ in ĐŽŽƉĞƌĂƟǀĞƉƌŽũĞĐƚƐ ƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ

CooperaƟve Projects^ĞůĞĐƟŽŶ CommiƩee

Type A
Type BZĂƟŶŐ of ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ
ĚŽƉƟŽŶ ĚĞĐŝƐŝŽŶ

CooperaƟve Projects
Steering CommiƩee

Type SBudŐĞƚ alloĐĂƟon
Daily ƌŽƵƟŶĞ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ

RIEC2012/2013 8

Research Fields
The Research Institute of Electrical Communication (RIEC) maintains a close cooperative relationship with the
Graduate Schools of Engineering, Information Sciences and Biomedical Engineering in its research and educational
activities, especially with the Departments of Electrical and Communication Engineering, Electronics, Computer andMathematical Science, System Information Science and Applied Information Sciences. This cooperation enriches theresearch activities of RIEC as a “Joint Usage / Research Center.” The research fields of four divisions are:(1)Information Devices Division:Advanced Nano-Information Devices Utilizing Physical Phenomena(2)Broadband Engineering Division:Next Generation Systems for Ultra-Broadband Communication(3)Human Information Systems Division:Creation of Information Systems Harmonizing People and Environments(4)Systems & Software Division:Advanced System and Software for Information Society

Information Devices Division

Broadband Engineering Division

Materials Science and Device Science

Information Technology

・ Solid State Electronics
・ Dielectric Nano-Devices
・ Materials Functionality Design
・ Nano-Integration Devices and Processing
・ Physical Fluctuomatics *・ Solid State Electronics *・ Intelligent Integrated Systems *・ Advanced Management of Integrated System Technology *・ Acoustic Physics Engineering *・ Advanced Wireless Information Technology
・ Technology Development Division Mobile Wireless Technology Group

Ultrahigh-Frequency Engineering
・ Ultra-Broadband Signal Processing
・ Communication Engineering *Optical Communication／Applied Quantum Electronics
Electonic and Optical Quantum Science・ Nano-Photoelectronics
・ Quantum-Optical Information Technology
・ Biomodeling *・ Ultrahigh-Speed Optical Communication
・ Applied Quantum Optics
・ Optical Physics Engineering *・ Information Measurement and Processing *・ Neural Electronic Engineering *Information Recording ／ Material Science
Plasma Science・ Applied Electromagnetic Energy *・ Energy Generation System *Visitor Section
・ Magnetic Devices

・ Semiconductor Spintronics
・ Information Storage Systems
・ Technology Development Division Storage Technology Group・ Nano-Spin Memory
・ Electronic Physics Engineering *・ Nanoscale Magnetism and Devices *・ Spintronics Material *・ Microelectronics *・ Algorithm Theory *・ Magnetic Materials *・ Medical Nanosystem Engineering *・ Spin Electronics *・ Nano Intelligent System *・ Green Power Electronics *Visitor Section
・ Basic Technology for Broadband Communication

9 RIEC2012/2013

Human Information Systems Division

Systems & Software Division

Bioinformation

Computer Science・ Electromagnetic Bioinformation Engineering・ Micro Energy Device *・ Applied Electrical Energy System *Human Information Processing
・ Advanced Acoustic Information Systems
・ Visial Cognition and Systems
・ Intelligent Communication Network *・ Electronic Control Systems *・ Electronic Control Engineering *・ Advanced Information Technology *Ubiquitous Communications
・ Ubiqutous Communication Systems
・ Electromagnetic Wave Engineering *・ Software Construction
・ Computing Information Theory
・ Foundations of Software Science *・ Information Security *・ Intelligent Systems Science *・ Image Information Communications *Internet Communication
・ Communication Network
・ Information Contents
・ Electric Power Network System *・ Communication Science *・ Creation Understanding and Distribution
Technology for Digital Content *・ Information Technology *・ Applied Intelligence Software *・ Information Network System *Bioelectronics
・ Nano-Molecular Divices
・ Plasma science Engineering *・ Biomedical Electronics *・ Nano-Biomedical Engineering *・ Systems Bioinformatics *Bio-inspired System

VLSI System
・ Intelligent Nano-Integration System
・ Microarchitecture
・ New Paradigm VLSI System
・ Intelligent Electronic Circuits *・ Energy Conversion System *・ Computer Structures *・ Real-World Computing
・ Ubiquitous Energy *Visitor Section

Visitor Section
・ Information Social Structure

・ Multimodal Computing*Laboratories in Graduate Schools

RIEC2012/2013 10

Nano-Photoelectronics

Information Devices
Division
Quantum-Optical
Information Technology

11 RIEC2012/2013

Solid State Electronics

Dielectric
Nano-Devices

Materials Functionality
DesignRIEC2012/2013 12

Nano-Photoelectronics
Staff:
Yoichi Uehara, Professor
Satoshi Katano, Associate Professor
S.Katano

Y.Uehara

Research activities:
Our main interest lies in studying the physical and chemical phenomena that take place in nanometerscale regions and their applications in nanophotoelectronic devices. Development of novel probing
methods is also targeted.

Nono-photoelectronics（Prof. Uehara）
The material properties of individual nanostructures are investigated through their optical responses to the local excitationinduced by electron tunneling in a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). In this method, unlike conventional electricmeasurements, attainable temporal resolution is not limited by the signal levels. Hence, the material properties are exploredwith high spatial and temporal resolution. Efficient excitation of light confined in nanostructures is possible in the spectral
range from THz to PHz by electron tunneling. This confined light is efficiently converted to free (i.e., propagating) light by thepresence of the tip. By utilizing such properties, one can realize efficient and broad-band optical sources and detectors.

Research topics:
1. Exploration of material properties of individual solid-state nano-structures in spatial, energy, and time axes.
2. Development of STM light emission spectroscopy with ps time resolution.
3. Investigation of various electromagnetic phenomena in nanometer-scale spaces, and their engineering applications.
4. Development of efficient and broad-band light sources and detectors.

Nano-photomolecular electronics（Assoc. prof. S. Katano）
Process and operation principles of the next-generation molecule-based electronic devices are investigated to breakthrough the limit of downsizing that the current Si technology will reach in the near future. By using electron tunneling in
STM, one can control the locations of individual atomic and molecular species on a solid surface and even induce chemical
reactions in them. The physical, chemical and electronic properties of the species processed in such a way are investigatedby using abilities of STM itself. The optical properties are also analyzed by STM light emission spectroscopy. By combining
these techniques, we explore novel molecule-based electronic devices.

Research topics:
5. Optical excitation of a single atom and molecule.
6. Controlling of the chemical reaction and geometry of a single molecule.
7. Molecular electronics based on the nano molecular assembly

Integrated Surface Analysis
System with Low-temperature
STM

13 RIEC2012/2013

Quantum-Optical
Information Technology
Staff:
Keiichi Edamatsu, Professor
Wakana Ueno, Research Fellow
Hideo Kosaka, Associate professor
Fumihiro Kaneda, Research Fellow
Yasuyoshi Mitsumori, Associate professor Masahiro Yabuno, Research Fellow

W.UenoY.Mitsumori

M.Yabuno

H.Kosaka

K.Edamatsu

F.Kaneda

Research activities:
Current information and communication technology utilizes macroscopic and classical physicalquantities, such as voltage or frequency of electric fields. The classical technology will reach the limitof information density and speed in the near future. The quantum-mechanical counterpart, “quantum
information processing and communication technology”, in which information is carried by microscopic
and quantum-mechanical quantities, is expected to overcome the difficulty. Our goal is to develop
the quantum information devices utilizing quantum interaction between electrons and photons insemiconductor nanostructures, to obtain further understanding of their physics, and to apply them topractical quantum information technolo-gies.

Quantum-Optical Information Technology（Prof. Edamatsu）
Development of fundamental devices of quantum info-communication technology (QICT) utilizing photons, novel materials
and semiconductor nanostructures.

Research topics:

1. Novel techniques for the generation and detection of photon entanglement.
2. QICT devices using optical fibers, waveguides, and semiconductor nanostructures.

Quantum Solid State Physics（Assoc. Prof. Kosaka）
Development of quantum interfaces essential for QICT based on particle-wave duality of a quantum through the deep
understanding of interaction between electrons and photons.

Research topics:

3. Quantum media conversion between a photon and an electron spin and its entanglement-based applica-tion.
4. Development of quantum repeaters with an electron spin and nuclear spins in quantum dots and dia-monds.

Quantum Laser Spectroscopy（Assoc. Prof. Mitsumori）
Development of optical manipulation technique of electron in semiconductor quantum structures for the realization of QICT.

Research topics:

5. Coherent optical control of electron in semiconductor quantum dot.
6. Quantum optics of semiconductor microcavities.

Fig. 1 Entangled photon generation using quasi-phase matching andextended phase matching.
Fig. 2 Quantum media conversion from photon
polarization to an electron spin.

RIEC2012/2013 14

Solid State Electronics
Staff:
Maki Suemitsu, Professor
Hirokazu Fukidome, Associate Professor
Myung-Ho Jung, Research Fellow

M.JungM.Suemitsu

H.Fukidome

Research activities:
The strategy of Si technology, in which betterment of the device performance, large scale integration, andreduction of the fabrication cost are all achieved simultaneously by scaling, is now facing several severe
challenges. The challenges include that from the intrinsic physical properties of Si, difficulties in nanofabrication of devices, and the saturating bit cost by scaling. Clearly, novel materials need to be introducedin Si technology to break the barriers. Graphene, a two-dimensional honeycomb network of carbon atoms,
provides excellent carrier mobilities that are 100 times higher than those in Si, and is thus a strongest
candidate for such next-generation semiconducting materials. To introduce graphene into Si technology,
we are studying various aspects of graphene, from materials to devices.

Solid State Electronics（Prof. Suemitsu）
By using our original technology of organosilane-based gas-source molecular beam epitaxy, we have succeeded in theformation of qualified SiC thin films on Si substrates at low temperatures (~1000°C). Using this SiC/Si heterostructure, wehave further succeeded for the first time in the epitaxial formation of graphene on Si substrates (GOS). We are now studying
the betterment of the GOS film as well as fabrication of graphene-based field-effect transistors working in the THz regime.

Research topics:
1. Surface chemistry during formation of SiC films on Si substrates
2. High-speed devices based on graphene-on-silicon structures
3. Material processing using normal-pressure plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Solid State Physics for Electronics（Assoc.Prof. Fukidome）
By use of nano-scale characterization methods centered on synchrotron-radiation-based analyses, we are investigating
in detail the surface-physical properties of SiC as well as of graphene (Dirac electrons). We found a method to control thesurface structural and electronic properties of graphene in terms of the crystallographic orientation of the Si substrate,
which paves a way to industrialization of graphene. Use of nano-fabrication is also investigated to realize further control ofgraphene properties.

Research topics:
4. Surface chemistry during graphene-on-Si process
5. Development of novel functionalities of Dirac electrons by use of nanofabrication of the substrates and its application todevices

The world-ﬁrst graphene-on-silicon technology

15 RIEC2012/2013

Graphene: A two-dimensional networkof carbon atoms

A UHV-compatible process/analyses
system and the STM image of a Si
surface (inset).

Dielectric
Nano-Devices
Staff:
Yasuo Cho, Professor
Yoshiomi Hiranaga, Assistant Professor
Kohei Yamasue, Assistant Professor
Koichiro Honda,Research Fellow（Assistant Professor）
Yasuo Wagatsuma, Technical Official

Y.Wagatsuma
K.HondaY.Hiranaga
Y.Cho
K.YamasueResearch activities:
The aim and target of the dielectric nano-devices laboratory are developing the research on the dielectricmeasurement of electronic materials using nano-technologies and applying its fruits to high-performancenext generation electronic devices. It is also very important aim of our laboratory to bring up leaders of thenext generation by cultivating young researchers and students through the research activities.

Dielectric Nano-Devices（Prof. Cho）
Our main area of interest is evaluation and development of dielectric materials, including ferroelectric and piezoelectricmaterials and their application to communication devices and ferroelectric data storage systems.
Our measure contributions to advancement in these fields are the invention and the development of "Scanning Nonlinear
Dielectric Microscope" (SNDM) which is the first successful purely electrical method for observing the ferroelectric
polarization distribution without the influence of the shielding effect by free charges and it has already been put into practicaluse. 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. Our recent research achieved to fabricate an ultra-small
domain inversion dot, which has the diameter of 3 nm in case of single dot fabrication, and achieved the recording density of
4 Tbit/inch2 in actual information storage, requiring an abundance of bits to be packed together.(Fig.3)
Moreover, we have started to make a measurement and an evaluation of flash-memory device and dopant profile insemiconductor devices using SNDM. Because SNDM can detect very small capacitance variation, it can be a very powerfulevaluation tool for various materials. Now SNDM evolves into a new evaluation technique for insulator material andsemiconductor materials besides ferroelectric materials.

Research topics:
1. Development of scanning nonlinear dielectric microscope (SNDM) with super high (atomic-scale) resolution.
2. Ultra-high density ferroelectric recording system using SNDM.
3. Development of ferroelectric functional devices for electrical communications using nano-domain engineering based on
SNDM.
4. Evaluation of ferroelectric material and piezoelectric material using SNDM.
5. Evaluation of flash-memory device and dopant profile in semiconductor devices using SNDM.

Fig.1 Commercially available
scanning nonlinear dielectric
microscope.

Fig.2 S(111) 7X7 atomic structure taken by
SNDM. (a)Topography (b) Electric dipolemoment.

Fig.3 Example of a ferroelectric actual
information storage (4 Tbit/inch2).

RIEC2012/2013 16

Materials Functionality
DesignStaff:
Masafumi Shirai, Professor
Yoshio Miura, Assistant Professor
Kazutaka Abe, Assistant Professor
Masahito Tsujikawa, Research Fellow

K.Abe

Y.MiuraM.Shirai

M.Tsujikawa

Research activities:
Various kinds of materials, such as semiconductors, dielectrics, and magnets, are utilized for processing,communication, and storage of massive data in the modern information-oriented society. Our research
objectives are as follows: (1) theoretical analyses of quantum phenomena which appear in materials andnanostructures for advanced information devices, (2) computational design of materials and nanostructures
which possess new functionalities for improvement of device performance, and (3) development of epochmaking materials and functionality design procedures on the basis of large-scale computational simulation
techniques.

Materials Functionality Design（Prof. Shirai）
Our research interest is focused on “spintronics”, an interdisciplinary research field emerging from materials science,physics, electronics, and magnetics, where both charge and spin degrees of freedom are exploited to realize new kinds ofadvanced information devices. The main research topics are theoretical analysis of spin-dependent transport properties inhighly spin-polarized materials and device-structures utilized the materials. Recently, we extend our theoretical research
to electric-field effect on magnetic anisotropy in ferromagnetic thin films for realizing new devices with ultra-low power
consumption, such as non-volatile spin memories.
We investigated the temperature dependence of tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) in Co2MnSi/MgO/Co2MnSi junctions
on the basis of first-principles calculations. We found that the tilting of interfacial Co spin moments resulting from the thermal
fluctuations causes spin-flip scattering and reduces the TMR ratio significantly (see Figure). We proposed that the insertionof ultrathin Fe or FeCo layers into the interface enhances magnetic coupling and thus the TMR ratio at room temperature [Y.
Miura, et al., Phys. Rev. B 83, 214411 (2011)].
We also investigated the spin-dependent transport properties of Co2MnSi/X/Co2MnSi (X = Ag, Au, Al, V, Cr) trilayers. We
found that the matching of the Fermi surface predominantly determines the spacer dependence of the interfacial resistance.
In particular, MnSi-terminated interfaces with Ag, Au, and Al spacers are promising for realizing larger magnetoresistanceratios [Y. Miura, et al., Phys. Rev. B 84, 134432 (2011)].

Research topics:
1. Computational design of new spintronics materials from first-principles
2. Computational analysis of transport properties in spintronics devices
3. Computational simulation of nanostructure-growth process on surface
4. Development of computational scheme for material/device design

The temperature dependenceof tunneling magnetoresistance(TMR) ratio evaluated for Fe/MgO/
Fe and Co- and MnSi-terminated
Co2MnSi/MgO/Co2MnSi junctions.

17 RIEC2012/2013

Ultrahigh-Speed OpticalCommunication

AppliedQuantum Optics

Broadband
Engineering Division
Advanced WirelessInformation Technology

RIEC2012/2013 18

Information Storage
Systems

Ultra-Broadband Signal
Processing

Basic Technology for
Broadband Communication(Visitor Section)

19 RIEC2012/2013

Ultrahigh-Speed OpticalCommunication
Staff:
Masataka Nakazawa, Professor
Masato Yoshida, Associate Professor
Pengyu Guan,Research Fellow

Toshihiko Hirooka, Associate Professor
Keisuke Kasai, Research Fellow
Lei Chen,Research Fellow

T.Hirooka
M.Nakazawa

L.ChenM.Yoshida

P.GuanK.Kasai

Research activities:
With the vast growth of traffic on the Internet from simple text data to high quality voice, image, and real-time video content,
it has become increasingly important to realize an ultrafast, high-capacity network to support the daily needs of modern
communications. Ultrahigh-speed optical communication is the key technology for building such an interconnected world. This
laboratory aims to realize a global ultrahigh-speed optical network by engaging in research on ultrashort pulse generation andtransmission. Our research areas include optical solitons, high-speed mode-locked lasers, optical signal processing, and thedevelopment of fibers with new functions.

Optical Transmission（Prof. Nakazawa）
Ultrahigh-speed optical transmission is the driving force behind attempts to realize advanced high-speed networks that support ultrahighprecision image transmission or ultra-realistic communication. At the same time, there is a strong need to realize spectrally efficient opticaltransmission to expand the transmission capacity for a given optical bandwidth. With a view to achieving an ultrahigh bit rate exceeding 1
Tbit/s/channel, we are actively engaged in realizing ultrafast optical time division multiplexed (OTDM) transmission using ultrashort pulse
lasers. To expand the spectral density, we are working intensively on ultra-multi-level coherent QAM transmission technology in which thespectral efficiency is greatly improved by encoding the information in both the amplitude and phase of an optical beam. Another important
aspect of our research relates to the development of photonic crystal fibers. These special fibers have many air holes in the fiber crosssection, and they have potential applications in new optical communication systems operating in the currently unused 500-1000 nm band.

Research topics:

1. Terabit/s OTDM transmission using a femtosecond pulse train
2. Ultra-multi-level coherent optical transmission toward the Shannon limit
3. Photonic crystal fibers and optical fibers with new functionality

Optical Signal Processing（Assoc. Prof. Hirooka）
We are engaged in the development of all-optical technologies using nonlinear optical effects by taking advantage of ultrafast opticalproperties, where optical signals are processed without the need to convert them into the electrical domain. Specifically, we are developing
femtosecond pulse compression, pulse shaping, optical demultiplexing, and distortion elimination techniques, which are indispensable forrealizing ultrahigh-speed OTDM transmission exceeding terabit/s.

Research topics:

4. Distortion elimination technique using time-domain optical Fourier transformation
5. All-optical signal processing using nonlinear optical effects and their application to ultrahigh-speed OTDM transmission

High Accuracy Measurements using Optical Fibers（Assoc. Prof. Yoshida）
We are engaged in the development of frequency stabilized laser operated at 1.55 μm and its application to high accuracy measurements
using optical fibers. Furthermore, we are developing ultra-short pulse lasers.

Research topics:

6. Frequency stabilized lasers and their application to high accuracy measurements using optical fibers
7. Ultrashort mode-locked lasers and their application to frequency standards and microwave-photonics

Experiment on ultrahigh-speed opticaltransmission

Photonic crystal ﬁber
(Left photo:cleaved end face of a PCF)

(Right photo:enlarged cross section)

RIEC2012/2013 20

Applied Quantum
OpticsStaff:
Hiroshi Yasaka, Professor
H.Yasaka

Research activities:
Internet traffic has been increasing explosively and the amount of information which should be processed
has been increasing. The capacity of information processing in optical communication systems should be
increased drastically to cope with the explosive increase in the information traffic. It is necessary to realize
ultra-high speed and highly functional semiconductor photonic devices and semiconductor photonic
integrated circuits to construct next generation highly functional optical information communication
network systems.
We are investigating novel, highly functional semiconductor photonic devices, which is indispensable
to realize new generation optical information communication network systems. Furthermore, our researchinterests cover ultrafast photonic devices, opto-electronic semiconductor devices and their applications to
optical computing and signal processing areas.

Highly Functional Photonics（Prof. Hiroshi Yasaka）
It is indispensable to establish highly functional light source and photonic device technologies and novel functional
semiconductor photonic integrated circuit technology for realizing highly functional optical communication systems and novel
functional optical signal processing systems. We have been studying highly functional semiconductor photonic devices andsemiconductor photonic integrated circuits based on semiconductor lasers and semiconductor optical modulators to create
novel semiconductor photonic devices, which can control intensity, phase, frequency and polarization of optical signal freely.
Furthermore we research novel semiconductor photonic functional devices based on novel principle to realize innovative
photonic information communication network systems.

Research topics:
1. Ultra-high speed control of semiconductor photonic devices by signal light injection
2. Highly functional semiconductor light sources
3. Highly functional semiconductor optical modulators
4. Novel functional semiconductor photonic integrated circuits

Schematic device structure of a functional
semiconductor photonic device.

21 RIEC2012/2013

Magniﬁed photo of the functional
semiconductor photonic device.

Calculated 3 dB bandwidth of the functional
semiconductor photonic device.

Advanced WirelessInformation Technology
Staff:Noriharu Suematsu, Professor
Suguru Kameda, Associate Professor
Shoichi Tanifuji, Research Fellow

S.Tanifuji

N.Suematsu

S.Kameda

Research activities:
Wireless communication systems, such as cellular phones, have offered mobile voice/mail services to us.
Nowadays, they begin to offer mobile internet services which handle high capacity photo/motion data. In order toenjoy freedom from wired lines, small size, light weight, long battery life terminals have been required. For the next
generation wireless systems which include terrestrial / satellite communications, dependable connectivity andgreen wireless information technologies (IT) will be the key issues.

Advanced Wireless Information Technology（Prof. Suematsu）
Toward the realization of a ubiquitous and broad-band wireless network, we are actively engaged in the research work on
dependable and low power consumption advanced wireless IT. We cover the whole technical fields from the lower to higher layers, i.e.,
signal processing, RF/Mixed signal device, antenna, MODEM and network technologies.
As the studies on signal processing, RF/Mixed signal device and antenna technologies, we are developing RF/Millimeter-wave RF
CMOS IC's, antenna integrated 3-dimensional system in package (SiP) transceiver modules, and digital/RF mixed signal IC's.
As the studies on MODEM and network technologies, we are focusing on next generation mobile broadband wireless access(MBWA: mobile broadband wireless access), dependable broadband wireless local area network (WLAN) and ultra-broadband wirelesspersonal area network (WPAN).
We are also working for the next generation wireless communication systems/devices which include a location / short message
communication system via quasi-zenith satellites (QZS) and a fusion of various wireless communication systems "dependable wirelesssystem."Research topics:
1. Broadband wireless on-chip transceivers
2. Digitally assisted RF analog circuits
3. Millimeter-wave/submillimeter-wave IC's
4. Low power digital signal processing for multi-mode wireless / satellite communications
5. Location and short message communication system via QZSSAdvanced Wireless Network Technology（Assoc. Prof. Kameda）
We are engaged in the development of wireless access technology for heterogeneous wireless network include satellite
communications. Specifically, we are developing seamless roaming technologies among heterogeneous networks and large-capacity
wireless access method for large disaster relief.

Research topics:
6. Joint terrestrial and satellite communication network
7. Digital signal processing for broadband wireless communication

Radio wave
(UHF/microwave/
mm-wave)

CMOS RF-IC䠈mm-wave CMOS-IC
HPA

Tx Mixer
FilterFilterTx Signal(Digital)

DAC

Tx/Rx
SwitchPLL

ControlsignalSynthesizer

LNA
FilterFilterRx Mixer

Digitally Assisted RF
Digital RF Signal Processing

Fig.1 Evolutional network for ubiquitousness and broadband

Modulator

Encoder

Channel selector

Voltage controlled
oscillator (VCO)

Antenna

ADC
Rx Signal(Digital)

Channel measurement
and estimation
Frequency
domainequalizer(FDE)

Demodulator

Decoder

Heterogeneous/
Channel Estimation
Signal Processing

Fig.2 One-chip modem LSI for Broadband wireless communication

RIEC2012/2013 22

Information Storage
Systems
Staff:
Hiroaki Muraoka, Professor
Simon J. Greaves, Associate professor
H.Muraoka

S.J.Greaves

Research activities:
Our main interest lies in high-density information storage technology. The core technology is magnetic
recording with fast data transfer and large storage capacity, which is applied for hard disk drives, magnetic
tape storage, and flexible disk drives. Recently, multi-media information such as digital movie andmusic that requires very large storage capacity begins to be used in broad applications from consumer
electronics to mobile communication. This trend accelerates the areal density increase of magnetic
recording. Recording theories, devices, and systems based on perpendicular recording are being studied
in order to attain ultra-high density information storage. Our target is the terabit storage (Over 5 Tbits/inch2
areal density), in which the bit size corresponds to the area of 10 nm by 10 nm.

Information Storage Systems Research Division（Profs Muraoka）
A single-pole head and perpendicular disks are investigated through read/write experiments, as shown in Fig 1, to improve
the recording performance. For extremely large capacity storage systems, the storage grid working on a network, as shownin Fig 2, is also explored.

Research topics:
1. High areal density hard disk drives
2. Head/disk devices for high density magnetic storage
3. Digital signal processing for high density storage
4. Network storage for large capacity file server

Recording Theory Computation Research Division（Prof. Greaves）
A computer simulation utilizing micromagnetics is being carried out to obtain a guideline towards ultra-high density
recording.

Research topics:
1. Micromagnetics simulation for high density read/write theory

Fig 1 Read/write measurement by using asingle-pole head and a perpendicular
media.

23 RIEC2012/2013

Fig 2 A large-scalestorage systemwith parallel
HDD operation.

Ultra-Broadband Signal
Processing
Staff:
Taiichi Otsuji, Professor
Tetsuya Suemitsu, Associate Professor
Susumu Takabayashi, Assistant Professor

Victor Ryzhii, Visiting Professor
Akira Satou, Assistant Professor
Adrian Dobroiu, Research Fellow

A.Dobroiu
S.Takabayashi
V.Ryzhii
T.Suemitsu
T.Otsuji
A.Satou

Research activities:
Terahertz (sub-millimeter) coherent electromagnetic waves are expected to explore the potential
application fields of future information and communications technologies. We are developing novel,ultra-broadband integrated signal-processing devices/systems operating in the millimeter and terahertz
frequency regime.

Ultra-Broadband Devices and Systems（Prof. Otsuji）
We are developing novel, integrated electron devices and circuit systems operating in the millimeter-wave and terahertz
regions. One example is the frequency-tunable plasmon-resonant terahertz emitters, detectors, and modulators. Anotherexample is unique electromagnetic metamaterial circuit systems based on optoelectronic dispersion control of lowdimensional plasmons. We are also pursuing graphene-based new materials to create new types of terahertz lasers andultrafast transistors, breaking through the limit on conventional transistor/laser operation. By making full use of these worldleading device/circuit technologies, we are exploring future ultra-broadband wireless communication systems as well as
spectroscopic/imaging systems for safety and security.

Research topics:

1. Plasmon-resonant terahertz emitters/detectors/modulators and their system applications
2. Terahertz metamaterial circuit systems based on dispersion control of low-dimensional plasmons
3. Graphene-based terahertz lasers and ultrafast transistors, and their system applications

Ultrafast Electron Devices（Assoc. Prof. Suemitsu）
Transistors are important building blocks for integrated circuits used in a lot of systems for information and communication
technologies. Particularly in optical fiber communication systems and (sub-) millimeter-wave frequency systems that requires
ultimately high-speed operation, the channel materials of transistors should be chosen to realize high mobility and saturation
velocity for carrier electrons (or holes). In our group, we are focusing on three important material systems for such highspeed devices: the indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) material systems for ultimately high-frequency operation including submillimeter-wave regime, the gallium nitride (GaN) material systems for high-power millimeter-wave applications, and thegraphene-based material systems as a new candidate for high-speed devices. Our activities include the design, process,and characterization of these devices and their integrated circuits.

Research topics:

4. InGaAs-based field effect transistors (FETs) for ultimately high frequencies in millimeter- and terahertz-wave regime andtheir application to integrated circuits
5. GaN-based FETs for high-power and high-frequency regime and their application to integrated circuits
6. Graphene-based transistors for high-speed and high-frequency applications

Cross-sectional view, SEM Cross-sectional view, SEM
images, and FTIR-measured i m a g e s , a n d m e a s u r e dbroadband emission spectra responsivity of plasmon detectorof newly-proposed plasmon- operating in the terahertz range.
resonant emitter (PRE) fabricatedwith InP-based heterostructurematerial systems operating in theterahertz range.

Schematic view of terahertz- Time response of terahertz-wave
wave ampliﬁcation by stimulated amplification utilizing opticallyemission utilizing population pumped graphene measured byinversion in optically pumped electrooptic sampling.
graphene.

RIEC2012/2013 24

Basic Technology for
Broadband Communication
Staff:
Masaaki Inutake, Visiting Professor

Sakai(SakuraTec)

Inutake

Mase(Kyushu
Univ.)

Kogi(Fukuoka YamashikaInst.Tech.) (Fuji HI)

Research activities:
Our main interest is to develop an air-borne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for civilian applications. The SAR is very usefulfor all-weather surveillance and rescue in disastrous fires and smokes.
Scientists and engineers from both universities and industries collaborateon this research project.
Development of a high resolution (10cm), small size and light weight(25kg) SAR at Ku-band has been started in 2009 under the contract ofMinistry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Hard wares of a real-time image-formation SAR “Live SAR” have beensuccessfully completed in 2010. The antenna/ gimbal assembly weighs
10kg, while the radar electronics assembly weighs 15kg . Soft wares “SAR
Tools” for the “Live SAR” has been developed in 2011. Graphical userinterface is shown in the figure. Air-borne test is scheduled in 2012.

25 RIEC2012/2013

Electromagnetic Bioinformation
Engineering

Human Information
Systems Division

Advanced Acoustic
Information Systems

RIEC2012/2013 26

Visual Cognition and
Systems

Ubiquitous Communications
System

27 RIEC2012/2013

Electromagnetic Bioinformation
Engineering
Staff:
Kazushi Ishiyama, Professor
Shuichiro Hashi, Associate Professor
Sung Hoon Kim, Assistant Professor

S.H.Kim

K.Ishiyama

S.HashiResearch activities:
For realizing good communication with human body, and for realizing the properties of the human bodyas an information system, we have to realize the function of the human body as information in addition
to catch the signals from the human body. Our research division works on the technology for sensing
the information from the human body and for approaching action to the human body. We are focusing torealize the communication technology with human body and to contribute information and communication
systems and medical-welfare spheres.

Electromagnetic Bioinformation Engineering（Prof. Ishiyama）
High-frequency carrier-type magnetic field sensor, which is developed in our laboratory, obtains the world-highest fieldsensitivity in room temperature under the works for materials, micro-fabrication techniques, controlling the magnetic
properties. This sensor is studied for sensing system for bio-information. As one of the approaching system for human body,
wireless actuators and manipulators are investigated. This technology is important for a basic study for robots working in thehuman body. A part of this wireless driving technology is applied for a development of completely embedding artificial heart
assist blood pump and a motion system for a capsule endoscope working in the colon tube.

Research topics:
1. Super high sensitivity magnetic field sensor
2. High-frequency electromagnetic measuring system

3. Micro magnetic actuator
4. New medical equipment using magnetic

Electromagnetic Bioinformation Materials（Assoc. Prof. Hashi）
Stressless and painless acquisition technique for accurately capturing the motion or the information of a human body isstrongly desired in the area of the medical treatment and/or rehabilitation therapy. In this research division, sensing systems
for temperature and for hardness are studied as no contact sensing systems. In addition, wireless magnetic motion capturesystem is studied for the medical and welfare use.
Development of functional magnetic materials and its fabrication process are also studied to progress these magnetic
sensing systems.

Research topics:
5. Wireless magnetic sensing system
6. Functional magnetic materials

High frequency carrior-type thin film magnetic
ﬁeld sensor

A prototype of wireless artificial
heart assist blood pump

Wireless magnetic motion capture system

RIEC2012/2013 28

Advanced Acoustic
Information Systems
Staff:
Yôiti Suzuki, Professor
Shuichi Sakamoto, Associate Professor
Fumitaka Saito, Technical Official
Cui Lie Zheng, Research Fellow

F.SaitoS.Sakamoto

Y.Suzuki

C.Zheng

Research activities:
We are aiming at developing advanced and comfortable acoustic communications systems exploiting
digital signal processing techniques. Moreover, to realize this, we are also keenly studying the information
processing in the human auditory system and multimodal information processing including hearing. We
mainly apply psycho-acoustical approaches to study human auditory and multimodal perception.

Advanced Acoustic Information Systems（Prof. Y. Suzuki）
With good knowledge of the human auditory and other perceptual systems, we are aiming at the realization of a'comfortable' sound environment; development of three-dimensional auditory displays is a typical example. These systems
are keenly required to realize the multimedia universal communications.

Research topics:
1. Spatial hearing process as a multimodal perception.
2. System theory and development of 3D high-definition auditory displays based on the notion of “active listening.”
3. Development of new theories of acoustic digital signal processing.
4. High level cognition process of the sense of presence and verisimilitude

Auditory and Multisensory Information Systems（Assoc. Prof. S. Sakamoto）
We are studying the mechanism of human multimodal processing including hearing because such knowledge is crucial todevelop advanced communications and information systems. Based on the knowledge, we are developing future auditory
information systems.

Research topics:
5. Mechanism of multisensory information processing including hearing.
6. Development of high-definition 3D sound space acquisition systems
7. Auditory information systems based on multisensory information processing.

Accurate sound space communication
system based on higher order Ambisonics
by using 157ch speaker array

29 RIEC2012/2013

Head related transfer functions as a fuctionof elevetion. Poles and zeros changesystematically with the rise of elevetion.

Visual Cognition and
Systems
Staff:
Satoshi Shioiri, Professor
Ichiro Kuriki, Associate Professor
Kazumichi Matsumiya, Assistant Professor Rumi Tokunaga, Assistant Professor
Kazuya Matsubara, Research Fellow
Ryoichi Nakashima, Research Fellow

K.Matsubara
I.Kuriki

R.Nakashima

R.Tokunaga

S.Shioiri

K.Matsumiya

Research activities:
Human brain is one of the most adaptable systems in the world. Understanding the brain functions is
one of the most important issues for evaluating and designing things around us to improve the quality oflife. We investigate the brain through visual functions to apply the knowledge to human engineering andimage engineering. Our approaches include psychophysics, brain activity measurements, and computer
simulations. Our research field covers visual spatial perception, 3D perception, color vision, visual
attention and visual-haptic integration.

Visual Cognition and Systems（Prof. Shioiri）
Modeling the processes of human vision based on the findings of the strategies that the visual system uses, we plan
to propose appropriate methods for evaluation of image qualities, efficient way of image presentation and evaluation ofvisual environments in general. We also investigate dynamic selection process in vision with or without attention to realize
prediction system of human perception and action in the future.

Research topics:
1. Measurements of spatial and temporal characteristics of visual attention.
2. Modeling control system of eye movements and visual attention
3. Investigation of early, middle and late vision of 3D perception.

Cognitive Brain Functions（Assoc. Prof. Kuriki）
Our perceptual experience arises from neural activities in the brain. Studies of these neural activities are critical forunderstanding the mechanisms of visual perception. Moreover, presenting visual information in order that the visual
information is suitably represented in the brain can provide the way to display proper visual information in information andcommunication technology. Here we investigate the brain functions of visual perception (mainly on color perception) using
brain-activity measurement and analysis in relation to visual perception.

Research topics:
4. Representation of color information in human brain
5. Separation and integration of visual information in human brain

Independent measurements of attended andfixated points. An oversight and a mistakecan cause a serious accident under thesituation that you drive a car. For example,
investigating the relationship between gazeand attention can provide a new insight into
this problem.

Representation of visual information in
the early stage of human visual cortex isstill unknown. The mechanisms of visual
information processing will be investigatedby using behavioral studies and functional
brain-imaging studies. This study may reveal
the optimal coding method of the visual
information for human brain.

How does the perceptual system integratevisual and haptic information in motion
processing? We compared the magnitudeof visual motion aftereffect in the haptic
movement condition with that in the no
haptic movement condition. This study may
reveal the mechanism underlying visualhaptic integration in motion processing.

RIEC2012/2013 30

Ubiquitous Communications
SystemStaff:
Shuzo Kato, Professor
Hiroyuki Nakase, Associate professor
Hirokazu Sawada, Assistant professor

H.Nakase

S.KatoH.Sawada

Research activities:
To realize the communications environments in which everybody can communicate without paying
much attention to the tools, the laboratory has been focusing on the core technologies and applicationsof 60GHz Super Broad Band Wireless Communications in which people can communicate at the speed ofmulti-Gbps freely. These include propagation, antennas, RF devices, modems, FEC, MAC, up to systemdesign. One of the systems the Laboratory has been working on is a wide area sensor network that canbe deployed for many applications including a disaster-relief application. Also, the laboratory has beenpromoting Japanese technologies to be standardized at IEEE802 standardization, IEEE802 15.4k (Low
Energy CriticalInfrastructure Monitoring) now.

Ubiquitous Communications System（Prof. Kato）
To solve the key issue of millimeter wave communication systems that is reliability, the laboratory has carried out
researches on (1) beam-forming antenna with discrete phase shifter (90 degree resolution) and has successfully developed
close-to-commercial level beam-forming receiver modules (Fig.1), and (2) high reliability communications systems deploying
artificially installed reflectors to reduce the disconnection probability to1/4 (with one artificial reflector) and to1/18 (with two
reflectors).
Furthermore, researches have been carried out on low power consumption FEC and modems as well as applications of
millimeter wave communications such as wireless harness communications systems (Fig.2) that deploy metalized hoses toreduce weight of automobile harness and increase the reliability.
From this year, the laboratory starts to research two new topics of "Wireless power transmission with high gain / beamforming antennas" and "ISWAN (Integrated Services Wide Area Wireless Networks)(Fig.3) for anti-disaster low rate wide
area wireless networks".

Ubiquitous Communications Device（Prof. Nakase）
High speed and low power consumption RF devices are researched and developed for new generation millimeter wave
Multi-Gbps communications. The goal of this year is to realize the high resolution sensor systems with ultra high speed (1.53Gbps) modulated signals. In addition, Silicon-on-chip antennas will be studied for small and positive gain antenna.

(a)

(b)

Fig.1 Beam-forming antenna module：(a)Rx module and (b)directivity

31 RIEC2012/2013

Fig.2

Wireless harness system

Fig.3 ISWAN (Integrated
Services Wide Area
Wireless Networks)
for anti-disasterlow rate wide area
wireless networks

Software Construction

Systems & Software
Division

Computing Information
TheoryRIEC2012/2013 32

Communication Network
Systems

Information Content

Information Social
Structure
33 RIEC2012/2013

Software Construction
Staff:
Atsushi Ohori, Professor
Katsuhiro Ueno, Assistant Professor
Akimasa Morihata, Assistant Professor

A.Morihata

A.Ohori

K.UenoResearch activities:
Nowadays, a variety of software systems manage everything in the world. Therefore, firm foundations
for developing high performance and highly reliable software are essential for continuous advance of oursocieties.
We are studying foundation of software. We mainly focus on programming languages and databasesystems, which provide bases of software developments and data managements, respectively. The major
research issues include fundamental theories for reliable software, design of productive and reliable
programming languages, implementation techniques for high performance software, and softwaredevelopment frameworks that enable seamless integration of a variety of resources, such as programming
languages, databases and distributed computational environments.

Software Construction（Prof. Ohori）
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 to enhance the reliability of such a system is todevelop a high-level programming language that can directly represent various resources and automatically detect potential
inconsistencies among the components 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 for advanced Internet computation. One direction toward this goal
is to establish logical foundations for compilation. We aim at establishing a proof-theoretical framework that accounts forthe entire process of compilation -- including A-normalization and code generation -- as a series of proof-transformations.
Another direction is to provide systematic methods of developing efficient programs by program transformation. Programs
should correspond to their formal specifications. Our approach is to extract program-development processes by rephrasing
the correspondence by program transformations. In addition to those foundational researches, we are also developing a newpractical ML-style programming language, SML#, that embodies some of our recent results such as record polymorphism,rank 1 polymorphism, and high-degree of interoperability with existing languages and databases.

Research topics:
1. Development of SML#, a new ML-style polymorphic programming language
2. Reliable and practical Web programming framework
3. Logical foundation for compilation
4. Integration of databases and programming languages
5. Program transformations for developing/optimizing algorithms

SML#, a state of the art compiler

A framework for deriving algorithms by programtransformations

RIEC2012/2013 34

Computing Information
TheoryStaff:
Yoshihito Toyama, Professor
Takahito Aoto, Associate Professor
Kentaro Kikuchi, Assistant Professor

K.Kikuchi

Y.Toyama

T.AotoResearch activities:
Equational reasoning is ubiquitous in many areas of computer science such as automated theorem
proving, formula manipulating systems, algebraic specifications, and functional and logic programming
languages. Rewriting is a mathematical formalism which can offer both flexible computing and effective
reasoning with equations. We aim at developing a unified theory of computational-logical-algebraic
systems based on the theory of rewriting systems combining computations and proofs.

Computing Information Theory（Prof. Toyama）
Our research focuses on important theoretical features of the rewriting paradigm, such as the Church-Rosser property,
the termination property, and the modular property. We are also interested in design and analysis of automated deduction
systems which can offer both effective computation of functional (or logic) programming languages and flexible reasoningof automated theorem provers. We are investigating program verification and transformation systems based on automatedtheorem proving techniques.

Research topics:
1. Rewriting Theory
2. Foundations of Softwares
3. Automated Deduction

Computing Logical Systems（Assoc.Prof. Aoto）
We are developing techniques for verifying important properties of rewriting systems such as the Church-Rosser
property and the termination property. We are also interested in proving inductive properties of rewrite systems and lemma
generation methods for this. We are trying to extend these techniques to higher-order rewriting systems which are amenable
for modeling more practical functional programs.

Research topics:
4. Rewrite Systems
5. Automated Theroem Proving

Proof by Equational Reasoning → Computation by Rewriting Systems

35 RIEC2012/2013

Communication Network
Systems
Staff:
Tetsuo Kinoshita, Professor
Gen Kitagata, Associate Professor
Kazuto Sasai, Assistant Professor
Hideyuki Takahashi, Assistant Professor
Yuichi Hayashi, Research Fellow

H.Takahashi K.Sasai
G.Kitagata

Y.Hayashi

T.Kinoshita

Research activities:
People expect that various networks exist everywhere in the society and information systems over suchnetworked environment support everyday life and social activities of people and create new life styles aswell as information society. This laboratory aims at research and development of advanced network-based
intelligent systems.

Intelligent communication（Prof. Kinoshita）
It becomes an important problem to develop intelligent systems, which can cooperate with various people as the humanfriendly, easy-to-use, intelligent partners, in order to support various creative activities of people in an active and autonomic
way. To realize such an intelligent system, we propose a concept called Cyberware as an infrastructure of cybersociety thatprovides people a new information environment in which people and intelligent systems can work together cooperatively.
We aim at studying advanced information technologies to realize a new infrastructure of cybersociety based on cooperationand coordination of both people and intelligent systems over the networked environment, using the agent based computing
technologies.

Research topics:
1. Software Infrastructure of Cyber society (Cyberware)
2. Multiagent framework/Design methodology
3. Knowledge-based communication service / User-oriented networking
4. Agent-based/Knowledge-based/Network-based systems

Intelligent Network（Assoc. Prof. Kitagata）
With Intelligent Network, networks and services must have the ability to autonomously construct/reconstruct themselves,
according to change of user demands or changes in the environment. To realize such a system, we investigate network
software, based on agent and multi-agent technology, networking technology and service infrastructure.

Research topics:
5. Knowledge based network middle-ware / Application software
6. High tolerability networking / Intelligent networking
7. Next generation ubiquitous service infrastructure

Knowledge-based System and its applications
based on agent/multiagent technologies

Network Management System based on Active
Information Resources

RIEC2012/2013 36

Information
Content
Staff:
Yoshifumi Kitamura, Professor
Kazuki Takashima, Assistant Professor
Hitomi Yokoyama, Research Fellow

H.Yokoyama

Y.Kitamura

K.Takashima

Research activities:
Good media content has the power to enrich our lives. The effectiveness of content delivery is becoming
more and more important in a wide variety of fields, such as industry, education, culture, entertainment,
and so on. Expectations of its use in the general public are also increasing.

Interactive Content Design（Prof. Kitamura）
We focus on non-traditional content areas other than movies, music, and games, conducting comprehensive research ona variety of interactive content which creates new value through interactions with humans.

Research topics:
1. Displays and 3D Interaction Technologies
We design original display systems to show visual information accurately and effectively, and interaction techniques tomake better use of these display systems (Fig. 1).
2. Interactive Video Content
This research deals with effectively creating new interactive content from real video taken by video cameras or computergenerated animations. (Fig. 2)
3. Relation between Interpersonal Communication and Information Content
Aiming to design new interactive content, we are exploring relation between interpersonal communication and information
content in the space (Fig. 3)
4. Design and Evaluation of Novel Interaction TechniquesThis research focuses on designing and evaluating novel interaction techniques on target selection for variety types ofdisplays including large and touch displays.
5. Entertainment Computing for Creative Rejuvenation
We are conducting research of novel entertainment computing technologies that empower people and industry in disasterstricken areas with interdisciplinary collaborations.

Fig.1

37 RIEC2012/2013

Fig.2

Fig.3

Information Social
Structure
Staff:
Norio Shiratori, Visiting Professor
Satoru Izumi, Research Fellow
N.Shiratori

S.IzumiResearch activities:
In 21st century, we are facing with global environmental changes”
including global warming and social structural changes” such asaging of the population. For absorbing and sublating these changes,
we proposed a new computation paradigm, the concept of “Symbiotic
computing”, in 1992. This idea places on values on harmony between“Agents” (e.g. human, computer, internet, robot, nature, country, culture
and etc.). From the engineering point of view, we have been pursuingresearches on the “Symbiotic computing” which are its model, design
and applications (Fig1).

Research topics:
1. Symbiotic Computing: Symbiotic between Human and Information
System
2. Disaster-oriented Network・Green Computing
3. Net Media / Smart Home / Supervisory and Health Support System
4. Model of Symbiotic Information Society

RIEC2012/2013 38

Sponsored Division
Environmental‐Adaptive Information
and Communication Engineering

39 RIEC2012/2013

Environmental‐Adaptive Information
and Communication Engineering
Staff:
Eiki Adachi, Professor
E.AdachiResearch activities:
To embody a humanity-rich-communication by innovating information-and-communication technology(ICT) in the sustainable global society, we have to create human-friendly low-environmental-impact
ICT devices and systems by using electronic materials and device-technology in the research fields
of Nanotechnology, Spintronics and Information technology. Our aim is that the embodiment of lowenvironmental-impact information devices and electronic equipments based on fundamental theory ofspin and electron; these are designed by systematic survey of the rapidly-changing industry needs andR&D trends. By analyzing the innovation trend in the fields of environmental and energy technologies, we
embody innovative ICT devices and equipments. Further we would like to lead a related ICT researcher'scommunity to the desirable trend.

Environmental-adaptive information and communication engineering（Prof. Adachi）
A passive sensor using surface-active nano-materials and its sensor-network application are the current researchtargets. Especially color stability of silver nanoparticles adhered on metal oxide powders under gamma ray irradiation are ofimportance for its chemical-sensor application. This material will be applied to a sensor device with ICT system for realizing
product traceability.

Research topics:
1. High-sensitivity chemical-gamma-ray-sensor and its application for product traceability
2. Passive sensor technology development for recording of environmental change as changes in nanostructure
3. Fundamental research for ICT devices and equipments reducing environmental destruction by human activities

We rebuild our society balanced with nature and industrial environments.

RIEC2012/2013 40

Nano-Integration Devices and Processing

Laboratory for Nanoelectronics
and Spintronics
Nano-SpinMemory

Nano Molecular Devices

41 RIEC2012/2013

Semiconductor
Spintronics

Laboratory for Nanoelectronics
and Spintronics
Staff:
Director Hideo Ohno, Professor
Cooperation Section
Yurika Iwami,Technical Official
Toshiyasu Meguro, Research Fellow
Youtaro Nishimura, Research Fellow

Y.Iwami H.Ohno

T.Meguro Y.Nishimura

Research activities:
The Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics of the Research Institute of Electrical Communication was establishedon April of 2004. Its purpose is to develop and establish the science and technology of nanoelectronics and spintronics
for information technology. Utilizing the facilities installed in the Nanoelectronics-and-Spintronics building and undercollaboration between the RIEC and electro-related laboratories of the Graduate Schools of Engineering, Information
Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, R&D of nanotechnologies of materials and devices in Nanoelectronics
and Spintronics will be continued extensively. Furthermore, nation-wide and world-wide collaboration research projects will
be conducted to build a systematic database in the electrical communication research area.
The Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics mainly consists of research groups which promote following sections:Nano-Integration Devices and Processing, Semiconductor Spintronics and Nano-Molecular Devices; together with thegroups of Intelligent Nano-Integration System, Quantum-Optical Information Technology, and Ultra-Broadband Signal
Processing. These groups cooperatively carry out the research aimed at establishing a world-wide COE in the research areaof nanoelectronics and spintronics.

RIEC2012/2013 42

COE of International Research
Collaboration
We aim at establishing a Center of Excellence in three research areas, “Nano-integration technologies and their evolution”,“Spin-control physics and technologies and their applications”, and “Realization and application of information processing
using molecular nanostructures”.

International Symposium held in LNS, RIECInternational Workshop on New Group IV
Semiconductor Nanoelectronics (RIEC Symp.)(1st: May 27-28, 2005; 2nd: October 2-3, 2006;
3rd: November 8-9, 2007; 4th: September 25-27, 2008;
5th: January 29-30, 2010)

RIEC Symposium on Spintronics(1st: February 8-9, 2005; 2nd: February 15-16, 2006;
3rd: October 31-November 1, 2007; 4th: October 9-10, 2008;
5th: October 22-23, 2009; 6th: February 5-6, 2010;
7th: February 2-3, 2011; 8th：February2-3, 2012)

3rd Int. Workshop on New Group IV
Semiconductor Nanoelectronics

International Workshop on Nanostructures &Nanoelectronics(1st: November 21-22, 2007; 2nd: March 11-12, 2010;
3rd:March21-22, 2012)

RIEC-CNSI Workshop on Nano & Nanoelectronics,
Spintronics and Photonics(1st: October 22-23, 2009)

43 RIEC2012/2013

2nd RIEC Symposium on SpintronicsMgO-based Magnetic Tunnel JunctionLeft: Albert Fert (received 2007 Nobel
Prize in Physics); Right: Russel CowburnNano-Integration Devices
and Processing
Staff:
Shigeo Sato, Professor
Masao Sakuraba, Associate Professor
M.Sakuraba

S.SatoResearch activities:
In addition to the conventional demands such as faster operation and larger throughput, low power
operation for low-carbon emission and robust operation not damaged even in a disaster are required forthe development of the next generation information technology. To meet these demands, studies on highfunctional and high performance Si-based semiconductor devices realized by 3-D nano-processing andlarge scale integration of such devices are important research subjects. We study the subjects such as newtransistors and memories using new materials, new devices based on new principles like quantum effects,
and required 3-D processing. Moreover, we develop advanced technologies related to 3-D nano-integration,
dependable mixed signal LSI, and non von Neumann architecture.

Nano-Integration Devices（Prof. Sato）
Our short-term research subjects are the development of a synapse device having non-volatile storage and multiplication
functionalities, the design and implementation of a high-functional neuron circuit having self-excitation functionality, thedevelopment of a 3-D neural network having adjustable topology functionality, and the realization of a prototype brain
computer. Also, we make efforts to realize nano-processing and nano-devices required for the accomplishment of our
purposes.

Research topics:
1. New structure non-volatile memory device
2. New structure product-sum operation device

3. High-density implementation of devices for brain computing
4. Intelligent quantum device for brain computing

Group IV Quantum Heterointegration（Assoc. Prof. Sakuraba）
The following researches are being advanced: (1) Atomic-order control of highly strained group IV semiconductor
heterostructure formation in a nanometer-order ultrathin region which utilizing plasma CVD reaction at low temperatures
without substrate heating, (2) Systematic investigation and control of charge transport phenomena including quantum
phenomena in the highly strained group IV semiconductor heterostructures to find out novel electronic properties, (3)Heterointegration of the group IV semiconductor quantum heterostructures and high-performance nanodevices into the Silarge-scale integrated circuits.

Research topics:
5. Low-damage plasma CVD process without substrate heating for epitaxial growth of highly strained group IV
semiconductors
6. Large-scale integration process of group IV semiconductor quantum heterostructures
7. Fabrication of high-performance nanodevices utilizing group IV semiconductor quantum heterostructures

Towards the Realization of a Prototype Brain Computer

Towards Establishment of Process for Group IV Quantum
Heterointegration

RIEC2012/2013 44

Semiconductor Spintronics
Staff:
Hideo Ohno, Professor
Shoji Ikeda, Associate Professor
Michihiko Yamanouchi, Assistant Professor
Lin Chen, Research Fellow
Tadashi Yamamoto, Research Fellow
Norikazu, Ohshima, Research Fellow

L.Chen N.Ohshima T.Yamamoto
M.Yamanouchi

H.OhnoS.IkedaResearch activities:
Our research activities cover the areas of preparation, characterization, and application of new classesof solid state materials as well as their quantum structures, in which electronic and spin states can becontrolled, including applications of our findings to realize new spintronic devices as well as functional
devices.

Functional Spintronics（Prof. Hideo Ohno）
We are working on spin-related phenomena in semiconductors, magnetic semiconductors, and magnetic metals as well as
novel functional spin materials and devices, in order to realize low-power functional spintronics devices.

Research topics:
1. Spintronics
2. Magnetic metal functional devices and their application
3. Properties and application of magnetic semiconductors and their quantum structures
4. Characterization of electrical, optical, and spin properties of semiconductor quantum nanostructures and their applications

Nano-Spin Memory（Associate Prof. Shoji Ikeda）
We are developing technologies to realize high-performance low-power consumption spin memory and logic devices
using magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) consisting of ferromagnetic metal electrodes with in-plane or perpendicular magnetic
anisotropy and insulating barrier.

Research topics:
5. Magnetic tunnel junctions with high output voltage
6. Metal-based spintronics devices
7. Spin transfer torque memory and logic devices(Left) Schematic of single GaAs dot based on GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well and the second-order cross-photon correlation histogramof polarization-entangled photons. Polarization-entangled photons with a high ﬁdelity f + = 0.72 ± 0.05 are generated from the single
GaAs quantum dots by an electric ﬁeld. (Nature Comm. 2012) (Right) Development of the world s ﬁrst high performance 40 nmϕmagnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with CoFeB/MgO perpendicular anisotropy. (Nature Mater. 2010)

45 RIEC2012/2013

Nano Molecular
Devices
Staff:
Michio Niwano, Professor
Yasuo Kimura, Associate Professor
Yuki Aonuma, Assistant Professor

Y.Aonuma

Y.Kimura

M.Niwano

Research activities:
Miniaturization and performance improvement of various devices has been being sustained by thetremendous progress of the semiconductor fine processing technology. On the other hand, nanotechnology
or biotechnology to prepare and manipulate biomolecules, supramolecules, and nanostructures withunique electric and optical properties that are hardly obtained from other materials are advancing. Our aim
is the realization of molecule-sized electronic devices that can process various more sophisticated tasks
by application of these unique materials based on the Si technology.

Nano Molecular Devices（Prof. Niwano）
Sensing systems for analysis of biological materials such as DNA and protein molecules at the Si semiconductor surfacesthat manufactured and controlled by Si technology are developed. Observation equipments for biological materials andculture cells such as nerve cells are developed to elucidate the mechanism of intercellular communication and signal
processing.

Research topics:
1. Development of bio-sensing systems at semiconductor surfaces (Surface-Biotronics)
2. Function analysis of dynamics of cells based on the semiconductor technology
3. Investigation of the signal processing of the nerve cell network

Nano Electronic Device（Assoc. Prof. Kimura）
The mechanism of formation processes of nanostructures is investigated. Based on the elucidated mechanism, thenanostructure formation process is controlled by the semiconductor fine processing technology. The novel processes will beable to generate functions of nanostructures simultaneously with control of the position of them to fabricate nano electronic
devices.

Research topics:
4. Fabrication of nano electronic devices through electrochemical process.
5. Fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells using anodic TiO2 nanotubes.
6. Development of high-power organic electronic devices using supramolecules or organic molecules.

Fig.1: System for the analysis of biological
functions of living cells using infrared
spectroscopy.

Fig.2: Single electron transistor (SET)
fabricated by anodization.

Fig.3: Organic ﬁeld-eﬀect transistor.

RIEC2012/2013 46

Real-World ComputingIntelligent Nano-Integration
SystemLaboratory for
Brainware
Systems

New Paradigm VLSI
System47 RIEC2012/2013

Laboratory for
Brainware Systems
Staff:
Director: Koji Nakajima, Professor
K.Nakajima

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 that 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), Cyber Robotics (planned section), Next-Generation Human
Interface (planned section), and Multi-Modal Computing (planned section). The Laboratory for Brainware Systems consistsof the above six sections that cooperatively carry out the research. At the same time they serve as a laboratory for nationwide 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.

RIEC2012/2013 48

Real-World Computing
Staff:
Akio Ishiguro, Professor
Dai Owaki, Assistant Professor
Takeshi Kano, Assistant Professor
Kazuhiro Sakamoto, Assistant Professor

D.OwakiT.Kano K.Sakamoto
A.Ishiguro

Real-World Computing（Prof. Ishiguro）
Living organisms exhibit surprisingly adaptive and versatile behaviors in real time under unpredictable and unstructured
real world constraints. Such behaviors are achieved via spatiotemporal coordination of a significantly large number of bodily
degrees of freedom. Clarifying these remarkable abilities enable us to understand life-like complex adaptive systems as wellas to construct truly intelligent artificial systems. A prominent concept for addressing this issue is “autonomous decentralized
control”, in which non-trivial macroscopic functionalities are emerged via spatiotemporal coordination among vast amount ofautonomous components that cannot be explained solely in terms of individual functionality.
We study the design principles of autonomous decentralized systems that exhibit life-like resilient behaviors from theviewpoints of robotics, biology, mathematics, nonlinear science, and physics.

Research topics:
1. Control of soft-bodied robots with large degrees of bodily freedom
2. Autonomous decentralized control for various types of locomotion, e.g., slithering, swimming, flying, walking, running.
3. Dynamical system approach to understand versatility behavioral and its application to robotics.

True slime mold as a good living organism
for studying autonomous decentralized
control

Soft-bodied amoeboid robot driven by a fully
decentralized control scheme extracted
from true slime mold.

Quadruped robot driven by a fully
decentralized control

49 RIEC2012/2013

Autonomous decentralized control ofa snake-like robot that exhibits highly
adaptive and resilient properties.

Ophiuroid robot that enables
omnidirectional locomotion

Intelligent Nano-Integration
SystemStaff:
Koji Nakajima, Professor
Takeshi Onomi, Assistant Professor
T.Onomi

K.Nakajima

Research activities:
Our research activities cover the fields of architectures of Brain computing systems, characterization andapplication of artificial neural networks, and fabrications of intelligent integrated circuits, and exploitationof new devices for neural circuits.

Intelligent Nano-Integration System（Prof. Koji Nakajima）
We have constructed a stochastic artificial neural network with one million synaptic units, analyzed the dynamic behaviourof neural networks aiming at a time-dependent data processing, succeeded to propose a system where we are able toget off successfully from any local minima fallen into on the way of data processing in neural networks, and fabricated its
prototype hardware system on the silicon microchip for brain computing systems. We have also presented an FFT and aneural system operated by using a flux quantum logic in superconducting integrated circuits. Meanwhile, we have studied
on implementation of high-Tc superconductor multi qubits using intrinsic Josephson junctions and neuromorphic adiabatic
quantum computation algorithms for practical solid-state quantum computer and its application to brain computing systems.

Research topics:
1. Basic architecture for integrated active Brain computers
2. Dynamic intelligent associative memory system
3. Superconducting single flux-quantum data-processor
4. High-Tc Superconductor Qubit
5. Adiabatic Quantum Computation Algorithm

Microchip of a neural network

Microchip of a single
ﬂux-quantum circuit

RIEC2012/2013 50

New Paradigm VLSI
SystemStaff:
Takahiro Hanyu, Professor
Masanori Natsui, Assistant Professor
Atsushi Matsumoto, Assistant Professor

T.HanyuM.Natsui A.MatsumotoResearch activities:
Very Large-scaled Integrated (VLSI) processors and their applications to electronics systems, where
VLSI processors are used as a "brain" for intelligent control like human beings, are the key components in
the recent information-communication-technology (ICT) society, while the demands for improving powerefficiency and system-reliability with maintaining their higher performances are still getting increased in
the recent nano-scaled era. In this research division, we design and implement a low-power and highly
reliable VLSI processor using novel device technologies and new-paradigm circuit architecture such as
logic-in-memory architecture.

New Paradigm VLSI System（Prof. Hanyu）
Rapid progress in recent deep submicron regime has led to the capability to realize giga-scaled embedded systems on achip, while the communication bottleneck between memory and logic modules has increasingly become a serious problem.
In addition, power dissipation and device-characteristic variation have been also the emerging problems in the recent VLSI
chip. In order to solve such the recent VLSI problems causing performance and reliability degradation, we focus on a “newparadigm VLSI computing” concept that investigates the optimal design through all the VLSI design layers such as a device/material design level, a circuit-architecture level, a logic-synthesis level, a system-architecture level, and an applicationoriented algorithm level. The use of “logic-in-memory VLSI architecture,” where storage elements are distributed over alogic-circuit plane, makes global wires reduced greatly. To implement a logic-in-memory VLSI compactly, we utilize multifunctional and nonvolatile devices such as ferroelectric devices, magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices and phase-change
devices. We are also focusing on other challenging research subjects concerning with a new-paradigm VLSI computing
system, such as asynchronous network-on-chip (NoC ) and process-voltage-temperature (PVT) variation-aware VLSI
architecture. Preliminary research subjects in our laboratory are listed below:

Research topics:
1. Logic-in-memory VLSI architecture and its applications
2. Nonvolatile logic and its application to ultra-low-power VLSI processors
3. PVT-variation-aware VLSI architecture and its applications
4. Device-model-based new-paradigm VLSI computing architecture
5. Asynchronous-control/multiple-valued data representation-based circuit for a high-performance Network-on-Chip

51 RIEC2012/2013

Research Center for21st Century Information
Technology
Technology Development
Division
Mobile Wireless Technology
Group

RIEC2012/2013 52

Research Center for 21st Century
Information Technology（IT-21 Center）
Director: Hiroaki Muraoka, Professor

Project Planning Division
H.Muraoka

Makoto Furunishi, Visiting Professor

Technology Development Division
Development of Dependable Wireless System and Device
Project Leader : Kazuo Tsubouchi, Visiting Professor
Tadashi Takagi, Visiting Professor

南門から望む IT-21 センター

IT-21 Center

The purpose of the IT-21 center is development of practical technologies for IT based on the advanced
technologies of RIEC with the partnership among Industry, Government and Universities. The term of development
is limited less than 5 years. The projects are planed on matching with both basic technologies in the University
and application in the Industry. Combination of the technologies of the University and Industry makes practicaltechnologies with availability for the commercial products. The center actively accelerates to obtain the intellectual
properties generated from the development of practical technology to the Industry.

53 RIEC2012/2013

Technology Development
Division
Mobile Wireless Technology Group
Staff:
Kazuo Tsubouchi, Visiting Professor
Tadashi Takagi, Visiting Professor

Kazuo Tsubouchi

Tadashi Takagi

Research activities:
Mobile wireless communication technology is one of the significant communication technologies that support the IT
society, connected with the high-speed backbone network using optical fiber. Evolution of the mobile wireless communication
technology in Japan is indispensable to keep the leadership in this technology area in the world.
With the partnership of Japanese major mobile wireless manufacturers and Japanese Type I carrier, the mobile wirelesstechnology group of IT-21 center has been developing ultra-high-speed wireless communication technology and an ultrasmall wireless terminal by using three-dementional (3D) system-chip and using high density packaging for next generation
mobile wireless communication. As a result, so far, (1) 5GHz-band 324Mbit/s wireless LAN terminal, (2) ultra-small size 3D
system-in-package (SiP) millimeter wave wireless terminal for uncompressed high definition television (HDTV) transmission
have been successfully developed, and (3) seamless handover technology for wide area broadband mobile wireless access(MBWA) and seamless roaming technology between MBWA and wireless LAN have been successfully demonstrated by fieldtests.
From 2007, the mobile wireless technology group will make progress toward development of advanced practicaltechnologies for a new concept, "Dependable Air" which integrates all wireless systems. In addition, our group has awill for contributing to the industry in Sendai area such as build up venture companies based on the developed practicaltechnologies.

Research topics:
1. Broadband wireless communication technologies for Dependable Air
2. High-speed and high frequency mixed signal Si system chip for Dependable Wireless System

Fig.1 5GHz-Band 324Mbit/s
Wireless LAN terminal

Fig.2 Ultra-small-size 3D
SiP millimeter wave
wireless terminal for
uncompressed HDTV

Fig.3 MBWA ﬁeld test (Base station)

Fig.4 Dependable Air

RIEC2012/2013 54

Fundamental Technology
Center

Flexible Information System Research Center
Fundamental Technology Center
Management Oﬃce for Safety and HealthFlexible Information
SystemResearch Center

55 RIEC2012/2013

Flexible Information System
Research Center
Staff:
Tetsuo Kinoshita, Professor
Yoshihito Toyama, Professor*
Takuo Suganuma, Professor*
Gen Kitagata, Associate Professor*
Kazuto Sasai, Assistant Professor*
Masahiko Sato, Technical Official
Johan Sveholm, Research Fellow

T.Kinoshita
G.Kitagata K.Sasai
J.Sveholm
M.SatoResearch activities:
The present information systems represented by computers are inflexible systems, because their uses are predefined andthey provide only the fixed processing and functions. The flexible information system on the other hand, is a system which
can perform the flexible information processing adopted to the human intention and situation of its environment, and this cancorrespond to the flexible human thinking using multi-dimension perceptional information such as the visual and auditory
senses fully, beyond the limitations of the principles of the inflexible information processing. The aims of this research are theexploration of principles of the flexible information processing through the theories and experiments, and the establishmentof their system construction methodology.
Moreover, we also study the flexible information systems for advanced organization, utilization, administration, operationand dispatching of science information, and are aiming at the establishment of construction methodology of them confirming
the effectiveness of the system with practical applications to the scientific information of RIEC on the network.

Research topics:
1. Information collection, organization, dispatching, utilization and research support environment.
2. Advanced maintenance, management and operation of network.
3. Relation between technology and ethics.
4. Perceptual information processing of living bodies and intelligent UI and OA.

Network room

Flexible Global Network

RIEC2012/2013 56

Fundamental Technology
CenterStaff:
Director: Yoichi Uehara, Professor
Nobuyuki Sato, Assistant Professor
Fumitaka Saito, Technical Official
Katsumi Sagae, Technical Official
Koichi Shoji, Technical Official
Tamotsu Suenaga, Technical Official
Yuko Maruyama, Technical Official
Keisuke Sato, Technical Official
Choichi Takyu, Technical Official

F.SaitoK.Sato K.Abe T.Suenaga K.Sagae N.Sato K.Shoji
M.Abe S.Agatsuma Y.Uehara Y.Maruyama C.Takyu

Maho Abe, Technical Official
Kento Abe, Technical Official
Shigeto Agatsuma, Technical Official

Pioneering researches and developments (R&D) in the wide range of disciplines spreading from basic sciences to applied
communication technologies have been carried out in the institute. Technical officials have traditionally contributed thesethough their well established skills and experienced knowledge. In order to maintain and develop such contributions towards
the future, the institute established the fundamental technology center in 2007. The technical supports required commonlyin the institute were rearranged in four technical divisions, i.e., machine, evaluation, processing, and software technicaldivisions. These divisions take charge of the following services.
The machine shop division develops advanced machining techniques, and offers them for developing and manufacturingexperimental apparatuses (e.g., see Fig. 1). This division also provides machining instructions to the students and faculty
members who carry out machining by themselves. The evaluation division offers various evaluation and measurement
techniques such as focused ion beam system (see Fig. 2) and electron probe X-ray micro analyzer (see Fig. 3). The glass
machining and the supply of liquid helium and nitrogen are also covered by this division. The processing division is, incooperation with the evaluation division, responsible for operating and maintaining the project clean room (PCR), one of
the common-use clean rooms in the institute. Nanometer-scale electron beam lithographic techniques and customized
optical filters in the visible and infrared spectral range can be provided by this division. The information technology division
operates and maintains the computer networks in the institute. In addition, this division gathers and provides the information
for researchers.

Figure 1 Oﬀset parabola reﬂector and feedhorn
for a Ku-band synthetic aperture radar(SAR)

57 RIEC2012/2013

Figure 2 Focused ion beam system (FIB)

Figure 3 Electron Probe X-ray Micro Analyzer (EPMA)

Management Oﬃce for
Safety and Health
Staff:
Manager: Michio Niwano, Professor
Deputy Manager: Yoichi Uehara, Professor
Nobuyuki Sato, Assistant Professor

The Management Office for Safety and Health is an organization with the objective of maintaining the health and safetyof staff and students 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 Safety and Health provides support for safety and healthmanagement in facilities such as research laboratories, experimental facilities, and machine shops through various activities
to ensure that research activities within the institute are conducted safely and smoothly.
With respect to safety and health management, the Safety and Health Committee, comprising the Director, staff at theinstitute and industrial physicians, discusses various matters related to safety and health and the maintenance of the safety
and health management system at the institute, and submits recommendations to the Director and Faculty Council. The
Director and Faculty Council then finalize guidelines as advised by the contents of these recommendations. The guidelines
are then implemented into actual safety and health management operations at each of the facilities such as researchlaboratories.
Under collaboration with these organizations, the Management Office for Safety and Health takes charge of practices
related to safety and health, and operates to ensure safety and convenience in research activities at the institute.

Activity contents:
1. Inspection of and assistance in improving the safety and health management system and working environment within theinstitute.
2. Investigation of laws related to safety and health and collection of information regarding safety and health management.
3. Provision of advice and information to safety and health personnel in each department.
4. Implementation of various types of safety education targeted at staff and students.
5. Liaison and coordination with the supervisory authority and other departments on campus.

Safety and health seminar

High-pressure gas seminar

RIEC2012/2013 58

Research Activities
Study Groups on Electrical Communication
Study Groups on Electrical Communication are organized to solve scientific and technological problems and topromote research and development through the collaboration of the Research Institute of Electrical Communication,
Group of ECEI (Electrical Engineering, Communication Engineering, Electronic Engineering, and Information
Engineering)in Graduate Schools of Engineering, Information Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, related scientists
and engineers inside and outside Tohoku University. The Study Groups on Electrical Communication consist of
15 Sub-Groups as listed, to deal with specific subjects. Each Sub-Group holds workshops and the abstracts of
the workshops are published annually in The Record of Electrical and Communication Engineering Conversazione
Tohoku University.
Many scientists and engineers not only from universities but also from government laboratories and industries
attend the workshops, present papers, and discuss issues very actively. We are pleased to provide informationon these activities upon request. Please contact the General Chairman or each Sub-Group Chairman for general
information or more specific questions.

Title of Sub-GroupElectromagnetic and Optical Waves Engineering
Acoustic Engineering
Sendai "Plasma Forum"
Sendai Seminar on EMC
Computer Science
Systems Control
Information-biotronics
Spinics

New Paradigm Computing
Ultrasonic Electronics
Brainware
Mathematical Physics and its Application
to Information Sciences
Biocybernetics and Bioinformatics
Nanoelectronics and Spintronics
Advanced Information Communication Engineering

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

The 7th International Symposium

59 RIEC2012/2013

International Symposium organized by the Institute
1

Title

Date

Intrinsic Josephson Effect and THz Plasma Oscillation in High Tc Superconductors

Feb.23-25, 19972

Design and Architecture of Information Processing Systems Based on The Brain Information Principle Mar.16-18, 1998

3

Novel Techniques and Applications of Millimeter-Waves

Dec.14-16, 1998

4

The International Joint Conference on Silicon Epitaxy and Heterostructures

Sep.13-17, 1999

5

International Workshop on Photonic and Electromagnetic Crystal Structures

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

12

3rd International Workshop on High Frequency Micromagnetic Devices and Materials (MMDM3)

Apr.11-12, 2005

13

4th International Conference on Silicon Epitaxy and Heterostructures (ICSI-4)

May.23-26, 2005

14

1st International WorkShop on New Group IV Semiconductor Nanoelectronics

May.27-28, 2005

15

GSIS International Symposium on Information Sciences of New Era: Brain, Mind and Society

Sep.26-27, 200516

The 1st RIEC International Workshop on Spintronics -Spin Transfer Phenomena-

Feb.8-9, 200617

4th International Workshopn on High Frequency Micromagnetic Devices and Materials (MMDM4)

May 8,2006

18

4th International Conference on Physics and Applications of Spin-Related Phenomena in Semiconductors (PASPS-IV)

Aug.15-18,2006

19

2nd International Workshop on New Group IV Semiconductor Nanoelectronics

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

Oct.1-4,2007

23

The 3rd RIEC International Workshop on Spintronics

Oct. 31-Nov.1,2007

24

3rd International Workshop on New Group IV Semiconductor Nanoelectronics

Nov.8-9,2007

25

International Workshop on Nanostructures & Nanoelectronics

Nov.21-22,2007

26

The 18th International Symposium on Algorithms and Computation (ISAAC2007)

Dec.17-19,2007

27

International Interdisciplinary-Symposium on Gaseous and Liquid Plasmas (ISGLP 2008)

Sep.5-6,2008

28

4th International Workshop on New Group IV Semiconductor Nanoelectronics

Sep.25-27,2008

29

The 4rth RIEC International Workshop on Spintronics

Oct.9-10,200830

GSMM 2009 (Global Symposium on Millimeter Waves 2009)

Apr.20-22,200931

Mini R.I.E.C. workshop on multimodal perception

Apr.24-25,200932

The 4th International Symposium on Ultrafast Photonic Technologies

Aug.4-5,2009

PIMRC2009 (Personal Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications Symposium 2009)

Sep.13-16,2009

33
34

2nd RIEC-CNSI Workshop on Nanoelectronics,Spintronics and Photonics(5th RIEC Symposium on Spintronics)

Oct.22-23,2009

35

International workshop on the principles and applications of spatial hearing 2009 (IWPASH2009)36

5th International Workshop on New Group IV Semiconductor Nanoelectronics

Nov.11-13,2009
Jan.29-30,2010

37

6th RIEC International workshop on Spintronics

Feb.5-6,2010
Mar.11-12,201038

2nd International Workshop on Nanostructure & Nanoelectronics

39

2nd RIEC International Symposium on Graphene Devices (ISGD2010)

Oct.27-29,201040

9th Japan-Korea Symposium on Surface Nanostructures (JKSSN9)

Nov.15-16,201041

The 7th RIEC International Workshop on Spintronics

Feb.3-4,2011

42

12th International Multisensory Research Forum (IMRF 2011)

Oct.17-20,2011

43

8th RIEC International Workshop on Spintronics

Feb.2-3,2012

44

6th International Symposium on Medical, Bio-and Nano-Electronics

Mar.8,2012

45

3rd International Workshop on Nanostructures and Nanoelectronics

Mar.21-22,2012

RIEC2012/2013 60

Periodicals Published by the Institute
The Institute publishes the following two periodicals to inform readers on recent research results of theInstitute.
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 theresult of the Graduate Schools of Engineering, Information Sciences, Biomedical Engineering. Since thejournal also aims at publishing general research activities of the Institute and of the Graduate Schools
such as records of the final lectures of retiring professors, records of the Institute Symposium, andreviews.
The name of the Journal ‘Conversazione’ is attributable to the ‘Tuesday Conversazione’ at the
Department of Electrical Engineering, which had been held oncea 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 toas ‘Records of Tuesday Electrical Engineering ConversazioneTôhoku 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, the publication of the records was
succeeded by the Institute and the records have been publishedas periodicals, two times a year recently, since No. 1 Vol. 21 waspublished 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 activitiesof each research division and research facility. Also included arereports 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 version is also avairable since 2007.

61 RIEC2012/2013

Educational Activities
RIEC is keeping close contact with the School of Engineering, Graduate
School of Information Sciences, and Graduate School of Biomedical
Engineering. All faculty members of RIEC hold positions in these schools
and have courses for graduate and undergraduate students. Students also
have chances to join the research groups in RIEC. In 2012, 50 undergraduate
students, 135 master couse students, and 41 doctor course students are
studying at RIEC.
Presentation scene at a workshop

RIEC also receives many visiting professors, visiting scholars, visiting
students, and postdoc researchers from all over the world.

Seminar scene at a laboratory

International Activities
Many of the staff in RIEC contribute to the development of technology and science in the world by serving as
editors of referees of international journals or by chairing or programming international conferences. In some fields
in electronics, electrical communications, 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 are in operation.

International academic exchange programs:

International Journals in which a staff in
The Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences (Poland) RIEC participates as an editor
The Interdisciplinary Center on Nanoscience of Marseille,
National Center of Scientific Research (France)
IHP-Innovations for High Performance microelectronics(Germany)
Institute of Semiconductors Chinese Academy of Sciences(China)WINLAB, Rutgers University (U.S.A)
University of California, Santa Barbara (U.S.A.)
King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (Thailand)
The University of York (U.K.)
The Dresden University of Technology (Germany)
Berlin Institute of Technology (Germany)
National Tsing Hua University (Taiwan)
Universite de Technologie de Compiegne (France)
Harvard University (U.S.A.)
University of Vigo (Spain)
State University of New York at Albany (U.S.A)
Technische Universität Kaiserslautern (Germany)
Johannes Gutenberg University (Germany)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Acoustical Science and Technology
Applied Acoustics
Higher-order and symbolic computation
IEICE Electronics Express
IEICE Trans On Electronics
Interdiscipliary Information Science
International Journal of Artificial Intelligence, Neural
Networks, and Complex Problem Solving technologies
8. International Journal of Computer Science and Network
Security
9. International Journal of Energy, Information andCommunications
10. International Journal of Information Sciences andComputer Engineering (IJISCE)
11. Journal of Ambient intelligence and HumanizedComputing
12. Journal of Communications and Networks
13. Journal of Magnetics Korean Magnetics Society
14. Journal of SPINRIEC2012/2013 62

15. Nature Communications
16. Nonlinear Theory and Its Applications, IEICE
17. NPG Asia Materials
18. Optical Fiber Technology
19. The Journal of Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds
20. Virtual Journal of Nanoscale Science and Technology

International Conference programmed by astaff in RIEC
1. 10th Asia Pacific Conference on Computer Human
Interaction(APCHI2012)
2. 12th Joint MMM/Intermag Conference
3. 15th International symposium on the Physics of
Semiconductors and Applications(ISPSA)
4. 1 6 t h O p t o - E l e c t r o n i c s a n d C o m m u n i c a t i o n s
Conference(OECC2011)
5. 2 0 11 C o n f e r e n c e o n L a s e r s a n d E l e c t r o Optics(CLEO2011)
6. 2011 Spintronics Workshop on LSI
7. 2 0 1 2 C o n f e r e n c e o n L a s e r s a n d E l e c t r o Optics(CLEO2012)/Technical Program Committee
member
8. 2nd CSIS International Symposium on Spintronicsbased VLSIs and 8th RIEC International Workshop on
Spintronics
9. 5th International Workshop on Spin Currents
10. 6th Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology
Conference(ACE2010)
11. 6th Annual ACM Conference on Interactive Tabletops
and Surfaces(ITS2011)12. 6th International School and Conferece on Spintronics
and Quantom Information Technology(SPINTECH6)
13. ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software andTechnology(VRST)
14. ACSIN:11th International Conferrence on AtomicallyControlled Surfaces,Interfaces and Nanostures
15. Asia Pacific Microwave Conference(APMC)
16. Asia Pacific Vision Conference 2013
17. AWAD:Asia-pacific Workshop on Fundamentals andApplications of Advanced Semiconductor Devices
18. CIMTC:4th International Conferrence on Smart
Materials,Structures and Systems
19. ESSDERC:European Solid-State Device Research
Conference
20. E u r o p e a n c o n f e r e n c e o n O p t i c a lCommunication(ECOC)
21. ICSFS:16th International Conferrence on Solid Films
and Surfaces
22. IEEE International Symposium on Asynchronous
Circuits and Systems
23. IEEE International Symposium on Multiple-Valued
Logic
24. IEEE Symposium on 3D User Interfaces (3DUI)

63 RIEC2012/2013

25. International Multisensory Research Forum(IMRF)2011
26. International Multisensory Research Forum(IMRF)2012
27. International Quantum Electronics(IQEC),Program
Subcommittee Member for Quantum Information
28. International Symposium on Nonlinear Theory and its
Applications
29. I S C S : I n t e r n a t i o n a l S y m p o s i u m o n C o m p o u n d
Semiconductors
30. Joint Polish-Japanese Workshop,Spintronics-from
NewMaterials to Applications
31. OTST:Int.Conf on Optical Terahertz Science andTechnology
32. SPIE International Conference on Defense,Security,andSensing
33. SPIE Photonics West,Physics and Simulation of
Optoelectronic Devices
34. The 11Th IEEE International Conference on Cognitive
Informatics and Cognitive Computing(ICCI*CC 2012)
35. The 15th International Conference on Network-BasedInformation Systems (NBiS-2012)
36. The 1st International Workshop on Smart Technologies
f o r E n e r g y, I n f o r m a t i o n a n d C o m m u n i c a t i o n(STEIC2012)
37. The 2012 IEEE/WIC/ACM Intern. Joint Conference on
Web Interlligence and Intelligent Agent Technology (WIIAT2012)
38. The 22th Intern. Conf. Industrial & Engineering
Applications of Artif. Intell. & Exp. Systems (IEA/AIE2012)
39. The 5th International Symposium on Adaptive Motion ofAnimals and Machines
40. T W H M : To p i c a l W o r k s h o p o n h e t e r o s t r u c t u r eMicroelectronics

RIEC Open Day
Every year RIEC holds an open day to present research andeducational activities to the public, university staffs, students andalumni as well as representatives from the industry.
In 2011, the RIEC Open Day was taken place on Saturday 8th
and Sunday 9th of October. All the research laboratories, research
centers, and machine shops of RIEC exhibited various types ofdemonstrations focused on their research fields.
The exhibitions included some historical devices and instruments
developed in RIEC, such as magnetron tubes and steel recorders,
historical milestones of RIEC activities. On the other hand,experiments on cutting-edge researches were also demonstrated,such as ultra-high speed optical fiber data transmission, scanningprobe microscope, remote sound space listening, and interactive
contents. Furthermore, visitors were able to join handicraft courses
for some simple electronic gadgets such asfuel batteries, germanium
radios, wireless devices with solar cells, and go stone puzzles.
In 2012, the RIEC Open Day will be held on Saturday 6th andSunday 7th of October. Your participation is greatly welcomed.

Visitors having fun during handicraft courses.

RIEC NewsAs a part of RIEC's publication service, "RIEC News" was launched.
With the 75th anniversary of the establishment of RIEC, RIEC News introduces cutting-edge's research and thevision of the future from RIEC's contributions to the progression of science and technology in Japan. Since thelaunch in March 2011 to March 2012, four issues have been published.
Every issue introduces special topics such as large scale projects and theestablishment of the Research Organization of Electrical Communication(ROEC), etc. RIEC News also includes current information about eachlaboratory and center, all kinds of RIEC events, research exchange
meetings, laboratories open to the public (RIEC Open Day), etc. Further,
RIEC News offers a notification service by mail whenever a new issue isreleased and an electronic version of every issue published so far can be
downloaded by following the link below.
http://www.riec.tohoku.ac.jp/riecnews/

RIEC2012/2013 64

Staﬀ（as of 1st July 2012）

Director
Professor

Masataka Nakazawa

Associate Professor

Suguru Kameda

Research Fellow

Shoichi Tanifuji

Information Storage Systems

Research Divisions
Information Devices Devision

Professor

Nano-photoelectronics

Hiroaki Muraoka

Professor*

Xiao Zhou

Professor

Yoichi Uehara

Associate Professor

Simon J. Greaves

Associate Professor

Satoshi Katano

Associate Professor*

Takehiro Ito

Quantum-optical Information Technology
Professor

Keiichi Edamatsu

Professor*

Mitsuyuki Nakao

Associate Professor

Hideo Kosaka

Associate Professor*

Norihiro Katayama

Research Fellow

Wakana Ueno

Ultra-Broadband Signal Processing
Professor
Yasuyoshi Mitsumori

Fumihiro Kanada

Masahiro Yabuno
Solid State Electronics
Maki Suemitsu

Professor*

Katsuyoshi Washio

Associate Professor

Hirokazu Fukidome

Associate Professor*

Koji Kotani

Research Fellow

Myung Ho Jung

Koichiro Honda

Professor*

Shinichiro Umemura

Assistant Professor

Yoshiomi Hiranaga

Technical Oﬃcial

Yasuo Wagatsuma

Associate Professor

Tetsuya Suemitsu

Assistant Professor

Akira Sato

Research Fellow

Adrian Dobroiu

Visiting Associate Professor

Susumu Takabayashi

Masaaki Inutake

Noboru Iizuka

Atsufumi Hirohata

Human Information Systems Division
Electromagnetic Bioinformation Engineering

Kohei Yamasue

Professor

Kazushi Ishiyama

Professor*

Masahiro Yamaguchi

Associate Professor

Shuichiro Hashi

Associate Professor*

Yasushi Endo

Assistant Professor

Sung Hoon Kim

Satoru Tsuda

Advanced Acoustic Information Systems

Plasma Electronics
Professor*

Akira Ando

Associate Professor*

Satoru Iizuka

Materials Functionally Design
Professor

Masafumi Shirai

Professor*

Kazuyuki Tanaka

Associate Professor*

Yuji Waizumi

Assistant Professor

Yoshio Miura

Kazutaka Abe

Daiji Fukuda

Broadband Engineering Division
Ultrahigh-speed Optical Communication
Professor

Masataka Nakazawa

Professor*

Hirohito Yamada

Yuji Matsuura

Associate Professor

Toshihiko Hirooka

Masato Yoshida

Associate Professor*

Yasuo Ohtera

Research Fellow

Keisuke Kasai
Pengyu Guan

Applied Quantum Optics
Professor

Hiroshi Yasaka

Associate Professor*

Takashi Watanabe

Advanced Wireless Information Technology
Noriharu Suematsu

Professor

Yôiti Suzuki

Visiting Professor

Masayuki Morimoto

Professor*

Hiroshi Kanai

Associate Professor

Shuichi Sakamoto

Associate Professor*

Hideyuki Hasegawa

Technical Oﬃcial

Fumitaka Saito

Research Fellow

Zhenglie Cui

Akinori Ito

Masakazu Kawashita

Cheolsu Han

Visual Cognition and Systems

Magnetic Devices(Visitor Section)

65 RIEC2012/2013

Fumiyuki Adachi

Yuzo Ohno

Yasuo Cho

Visiting Professor

Professor

Victor Ryzhii

Professor*

Visiting Professor

Dielectric Nano-Devices

Visiting Associate Professor

Visiting Professor

Basic Technology for Broadband Communication（Visiting Section）

Professor

Professor

Taiichi Otsuji

Lei Chen

Professor

Satoshi Shioiri

Professor*

Makoto Yoshizawa

Associate Professor

Ichiro Kuriki

Associate Professor*

Noriyasu Homma

Assistant Professor

Kazumichi Matsumiya

Rumi Tokunaga

Research Fellow

Kazuya Matsubara

Ryoichi Nakashima

Ubiquitous Communications System
Professor

Shuzo Kato

Professor*

Kunio Sawaya

Associate Professor

Hiroyuki Nakase

Associate Professor*

Qiang Chen

Assistant Professor

Hirokazu Sawada

Research Fellow

Lawrence Yasay Materum

Multimodal Computing(Visitor Section)
Visiting Professor

Nobuyoshi Koshida

Masato Miyoshi

Visiting Associate Professor

Ryuichi Nishimura

Nano-Molecular Devices

Systems ＆ Software Division
Software Construction
Professor

Atsushi Ohori

Professor*

Ayumi Shinohara

Associate Professor*

Eijiro Sumii

Assistant Professor

Katsuhiro Ueno

Yoshihito Toyama

Professor*

Hiroki Shizuya

Associate Professor

Takehito Aoto

Associate Professor*

Masao Sakai

Assistant Professor

Kentaro Kikuchi

Akimasa Morihata

Tetsuo Kinoshita

Professor*

Hiroumi Saito

Associate Professor

Yasuo Kimura

Associate Professor*

Ayumi Hirano

Takeshi Obayashi

Assistant Professor

Nobuyuki Sato

Yuki Aonuma

Professor*

Yasuo Ando

Tetsuo Endoh

Shinichiro Omachi

Takehito Shimatsu

Professor*

Tetsu Tanaka

Associate Professor

Shoji Ikeda

Associate Professor*

Mikihiko Oogane

Laboratory for Brainware Systems
Professor
Director
Hideaki Sone

Koji Nakajima

Real-World Computing

Kentaro Inui

Professor

Akio Ishiguro

Professor*

Hidetoshi Matsuki

Associate Professor

Gen Kitagata

Associate Professor*

Naoaki Okazaki

Takaaki Mizuki

Associate Professor*

Fumihiro Sato

Assistant Professor

Hideyuki Takahashi

Kazuto Sasai

Assistant Professor

Kazuhiro Sakamoto

Research Fellow

Yuichi Hayashi

Intelligent Nano-Integration System

Yoshifumi Kitamura

Professor

Koji Nakajima
Masayuki Kawamata

Professor*

Nei Kato

Takuo Suganuma

Professor*

Associate Professor*

Toru Abe

Terumasa Aoki

Associate Professor*

Masahide Abe

Assistant Professor

Takeshi Onomi

Research Fellow

Masafumi Yano

Assistant Professor

Kazuki Takashima

Research Fellow

Hitomi Yokoyama

New Paradigm VLSI System

Information Social Structure(Visitor Section)
Visiting Professor

Norio Shiratori

Visiting Associate Professor Yasuyuki Matsushita
Research Fellow

Satoru Izumi

Sponsored Division
Environmental-Adaptive Information and Communication Engineering
Professor

Dai Owaki

Takeshi Kano

Information Content
Professor

Kengo Kinoshita

Nano-Spin Memory

Communication Network Systems
Professor

Michio Niwano
Tatsuo Yoshinobu
Toshiro Kaneko

Computing Information Theory
Professor

Professor
Professor*

Research Facilities
Laboratory for Nanoelectronics and Spintronics
Hideo Ohno

Research Fellow

Toshiyasu Meguro

Takahiro Hanyu

Professor*

Osamu Ichinokura

Takafumi Aoki

Associate Professor*

Kenji Nakamura

Naofumi Homma

Assistant Professor

Atsushi Matsumoto

Masanori Natsui

Research Center for 21st Century Information Technology
Professor
Director

Eiki Adachi

Professor
Director

Professor

Hiroaki Muraoka

Project Planning Division
Visiting Professor

Makoto Furunishi

Technology Development Division
Yotaro Nishimura

Mobile Wireless Technology Group
Visiting Professor
Kazuo Tsubouchi

Tadashi Takagi

Nano-Integration Devices and Processing
Professor

Shigeo Sato

Professor*

Michitaka Kameyama

Associate Professor

Masao Sakuraba

Associate Professor*

Masanori Hariyama

Management Oﬃce for Safety and Health
Shigetoshi Sugawa

Semiconductor Spintronics
Professor

Hideo Ohno

Professor*

Masashi Sahashi

Fumihiro Matsukura

Associate Professor*

Masakiyo Tsunoda

Shin Saito

Assistant Professor

Michihiko Yamanouchi

Professor
Manager

Michio Niwano

Professor
Deputy Manager

Yoichi Uehara

Assistant Professor

Nobuyuki Sato

Common Research Facilities
Flexible Information System Research Center
Professor
Director

Tetsuo Kinoshita

RIEC2012/2013 66

Professor*

Yoshihito Toyama

Research Fellow

Johan Leif Arne Svehorm

Takuo Suganuma
Process Division
Technical Oﬃcial

Fundamental Technology Center
Professor
Director

Yoichi Uehara

Assistant Professor*

Nobuyuki Sato

Technical Oﬃcial

Fumitaka Saito

Shigeto Agatsuma

Katsumi Sagae

Yurika Iwami

Choichi Takyu

Yasuo Wagatsuma

Software Technology Division
Technical Oﬃcial

Fumitaka Saito

Masahiko Sato

Yuko Maruyama

Machine Shop Division
Technical Oﬃcial

Tamotsu Suenaga

Keisuke Sato

Specially Appointed Professor

Kento Abe
Evaluation Division
Technical Oﬃcial

Oﬃce for the Promotion of International Relations
Hideyuki Oku●
Koichi Shoji

Maho Abe

Specially Appointed Professor

Junichi Murota＊ Joint Appointment

67 RIEC2012/2013

Printed by MEIRINSHA Co.Ltd.