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Nuclear Photonics (NP) Lab
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The lab merges high-power lasers with nuclear science.
AboutAbout the lab
Where high-power lasers meet nuclear science
The Nuclear Photonics Lab studies a new research field that combines nuclear physics and laser science.
The lab conducts experiments using the high-power lasers GEKKO XII and LFEX at the Institute of Laser Engineering, as well as experiments and device development using relatively compact high-power laser systems that a single lab can operate.
Its work ranges widely, from research aimed at realizing laser fusion energy to developing nondestructive testing technology using neutrons and research on boron neutron capture therapy for cancer.
The lab has networks with research facilities in Japan and abroad, not only within the institute, so students can gain experience at a variety of research facilities.
Key terms
- Laser fusion
- An approach that uses lasers to induce nuclear fusion reactions, aiming to solve the energy problem.
- Fast ignition
- One approach to laser fusion. It also generates high-energy electrons and ions.
- Thermal neutrons
- Neutrons with energy around 0.025 eV. The lab aims to generate them with compact lasers.
NewsLab news
Results of a joint research project published in Nature Communications
Undergraduate visitors are welcome
A master's student won a Poster Award at the Institute of Laser Engineering year-end report meeting
ResearchResearch themes
Nuclear photonics is a new research field born from the fusion of nuclear physics and laser science. Using high-power lasers, the lab pursues nuclear physics, including laser fusion and laser-driven neutron and ion generation.
*Illustrative imageLaser Fusion and Neutron Measurement
In fast ignition laser fusion, the approach studied at this institute, high-energy electrons and ions are produced in addition to neutrons, so measuring them is important. The lab has long worked on developing ultrafast, ultra-high-resolution diagnostic instruments with 1-picosecond and 1-micron resolution.
*Illustrative imageLaser-Driven Neutron Beams
Intense lasers such as LFEX generate extremely short, high-intensity neutron pulses that are impossible with conventional accelerators or nuclear reactors. Using these neutrons, the lab is developing methods to measure the temperature inside a sample nondestructively and studying elements and isotopes in the universe.
*Illustrative imageNeutron Beamlines Using Compact Lasers
LFEX allows only three shots a day and about one week of experiments per year, so the lab is developing compact lasers that can be used repeatedly. With a nuclear reaction method discovered by this lab, it can generate thermal neutrons with high directionality and excellent monochromaticity, with 100% spin polarization.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Nuclear Photonics Lab consist of faculty, Visiting Professors, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorYasunobu Arikawa
- ProfessorAkifumi Iwamoto
- ProfessorAkifumi Yogo
- LecturerAlessio Morace
- Assistant ProfessorZechen Lan
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “VULCAN target chamber 2003” Colin N. Danson et al. / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Laser Fusion and Neutron Measurement: “Neutron Detector ( )” National Institute of Standards and Technology / Public domain (cropped)
- Laser-Driven Neutron Beams: “UW Therapy room” Ikiwaner / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Neutron Beamlines Using Compact Lasers: “PALS (Prague Asterix Laser System)” Sintakso / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (パワーレーザーシステム工学
（PLS） ): “VULCAN laser hall with disc amplifiers 1986” Colin N. Danson et al. / CC BY 4.0 (cropped) - Related lab (パワーフォトニクス
（PLP） ): “Table Mountain Facility Sends DSOC Laser Beacon to NASA’s Psyche (Infrared Image) (PIA26661)” JPL / Public domain (cropped) - Related lab (レーザー材料科学
（LMO） ): “High-power laser welding” Krorc / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped) - Related lab (超
広帯域フォトニクス （UP） ): “Ultraviolet laser effects” www.LaserLightShow.ORG / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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