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Extreme Plasma (KGP) Lab
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The lab recreates the extreme states of the universe in the laboratory with high-power lasers to explore particle acceleration and fusion.
AboutAbout the lab
Learning from the universe, and exploring how to apply it to everyday life
The Extreme Plasma Engineering Division (Kuramitsu Lab) studies plasma science using high-power lasers.
The lab recreates, on a small laboratory scale, the ultra-high-temperature, high-pressure world like the center of the Sun and the high-energy-density world found in distant space, in order to probe the mysteries of the universe.
Students take part in research projects as members of the research team, and also join experiments at large laser facilities on and off campus.
The lab is one of the research groups of the Institute of Laser Engineering, and its graduate students belong to the Division of Electrical, Electronic and Infocommunications Engineering in the Graduate School of Engineering.
Key terms
- Laboratory astrophysics
- Research that recreates phenomena occurring in space in the laboratory in order to solve their mysteries. It is also described as "research that creates a miniature universe."
- Fast ignition
- One approach to laser fusion. It aims to achieve high energy efficiency while easing the demands of the challenges involved.
- Quantum beam
- Beams of high-energy electrons and ions, and beams such as neutron beams produced by their secondary reactions.
- Graphene
- A sheet-like material in which carbon atoms are bonded in a hexagonal lattice. It is said to be the thinnest, lightest, and strongest material in the world.
NewsLab news
In collaboration with QST and Kobe University, laser-driven carbon ion acceleration reached 1 gigaelectronvolt (GeV)
A doctoral student received a Poster Award at OPTO2026
A master's student received the M2 Student Award at the Institute of Laser Engineering year-end report meeting
A student received the Engineering Award for fiscal year 2024
A student received the SICE Outstanding Student Award for fiscal year 2024
ResearchResearch themes
The Kuramitsu Lab uses high-power lasers to unravel the mysteries of physical phenomena in the universe and to develop new technologies that will change everyday life. It focuses on the generation of high-energy particles in space, fusion power generation, and applications of high-energy quantum beams in medicine, sensing, and security.
*Illustrative imageLaboratory Astrophysics
The lab reproduces cosmic phenomena such as collisionless shocks and magnetic reconnection in the laboratory, and observes the plasma and X-rays that are emitted. Using both experiments and simulations on supercomputers, it investigates how particles are accelerated in space.
*Illustrative imageLaser Fusion
The lab studies an approach in which high-power lasers instantly compress and heat hydrogen fuel to trigger fusion reactions. It focuses in particular on the approach known as "fast ignition," and investigates, through experiments and simulations, topics such as the interaction between ultra-high-intensity lasers and high-density plasma.
*Illustrative imageDevelopment and Applications of Quantum Beams
Using the principle of accelerating charged particles with lasers, the lab makes conventional accelerators smaller and produces quantum beams such as high-energy electrons, ions, and neutron beams. It works on ion acceleration using thin graphene targets, aiming for applications in medicine, diagnostic imaging, and explosives inspection.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Kuramitsu Lab are faculty members and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorYasuhiro Kuramitsu
- Associate ProfessorHideaki Habara
- Assistant ProfessorYuki Abe
VoicesStudent voices
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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: “The moment a high-power laser pulse interacts with a target to produce a plasma is captured at the Vulcan PW facility ( )” Science and Technology Facilities Council / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
- Laboratory Astrophysics: “Magnetic reconnection zones in the earth's magnetosphere Science 1 th-jpg” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Laser Fusion: “The JET magnetic fusion experiment in 1991” EFDA JET / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Development and Applications of Quantum Beams: “SXR beamline - Experimental end of the world’s brightest X-ray Laser, generated by the Linear Accelerator at SLAC” Steve Jurvetson from Menlo Park, USA / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Laser Astrophysics (LAP) Lab): “Supernova remnant CTB 37A” Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Morehead State Univ/T.Pannuti et al; Radio: Molonglo Obs. Synthesis .; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Ultra-Intense Field Science (LF) Lab): “Plasma without and with magnetic field” Gerritse / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Ultra-High Pressure Science (HPS) Lab): “Illustration of Shock Wave Around Millisecond Pulsar (2005-47tuc-more-1 - 47tuc ill)” (Illustration: NASA/CfA/S.Bogdanov) / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Plasma Photonics (PPD) Lab): “Orion target chamber” Colin N. Danson et al. / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
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