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Kimura Lab
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A lab that observes fine structures with ultra-precision X-ray optical systems.
AboutAbout the lab
Building X-ray microscopes from scratch
The Kimura Lab develops microscopic imaging technologies that use X-rays.
X-rays have much shorter wavelengths than visible light and high penetrating power, so they can be used to examine fine structures and internal features that cannot be seen by eye.
Using ultra-precision fabrication techniques, the lab makes optical elements for X-rays, and together with collaborators it assembles optical systems at large synchrotron radiation facilities such as SPring-8 and SACLA.
The lab aims to create measurement methods that can be applied to any target, whether materials, devices, or living organisms.
Key terms
- X-ray optical elements
- Components that focus X-rays or separate them by wavelength. They play the role that lenses and mirrors play for visible light.
- Synchrotron radiation
- Very bright X-rays and ultraviolet light produced by circulating electrons at high speed in an accelerator.
- Electron beam lithography
- A fabrication technique that draws fine patterns with a narrow beam of electrons to create tiny structures, such as those in semiconductors.
NewsLab news
Developed a femtosecond soft X-ray hyperspectral microscope in a joint research project
Developed a method to measure the elemental content of a single cell with soft X-rays in a joint research project
Received the top award for "Outstanding Utilization Results" in MEXT's ARIM Program
Accepting graduate students entering in FY2026 from the Department of Applied Physics
Press release on a paper about drawing a "chemical map" inside cells with soft X-rays
ResearchResearch themes
The lab develops X-ray optical systems, such as focusing optics and microscopes, that take advantage of the short wavelength, high penetrating power, and various interactions of X-rays. It also works with collaborators on applied research using the optical systems it has built.
*Illustrative imageMaking ultra-precision X-ray optical elements
Because X-rays have short wavelengths and high penetrating power, optical elements for focusing and spectroscopy require extremely high precision. The lab handles the whole process: conceiving and designing elements through simulation, fabricating them by electron beam lithography, and evaluating them with synchrotron radiation.
*Illustrative imageX-ray optics experiments at large synchrotron radiation facilities
At SPring-8 and SACLA, X-rays that are orders of magnitude more intense than those from laboratory sources are available. The lab uses X-rays at these facilities to confirm whether the elements it makes in the lab perform as expected.
*Illustrative imageBuilding X-ray microscope systems
The lab designs, fabricates, and evaluates a wide range of X-ray microscopes, including scanning and full-field imaging types, as well as lensless imaging, in which the image of a sample is reconstructed computationally. It is particularly strong in mirror optics that use total external reflection of X-rays.
*Illustrative imageApplied research on biological samples and materials
With the bright X-rays of synchrotron radiation, it is possible to observe nanometer-scale structures and femtosecond-scale reactions. Using the microscopic imaging systems it has developed, the lab conducts observations jointly with researchers in medicine, biology, and materials science.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Kimura Lab include faculty, research fellows, administrative assistants, technical assistants, and doctoral and master's students.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorKimura TakashiPublications ↗
- Assistant ProfessorYoko TakeoPublications ↗
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: “SPring- img pano” en:User:Artorius / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Making ultra-precision X-ray optical elements: “Diffractive fiber collimator lens” Alexander Koshelev / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- X-ray optics experiments at large synchrotron radiation facilities: “SPring-8 synchrotron SP8 BL01B1” Drac2000 at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Building X-ray microscope systems: “SACLA experimental hutch” 鉄塔鉄日 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Applied research on biological samples and materials: “Joanna Czwartos imprint of DU145 cell made using Soft X-Ray Contact Microscopy” MelilotusAlbus / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Ideguchi Lab): “TiSa laser” Mathieu Perrin / CC BY 2.5 (cropped)
- Related lab (Nakajima Lab): “J-PARC Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility Experimental Hall No. 1 Neutron Instruments” Kestrel / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Sugimoto Lab): “Advanced Measurement Laboratory; Nanotribology ( )” National Institute of Standards and Technology / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Kofu Lab (KOFU Group)): “J-PARC Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility Experimental Hall No. 1 Neutron Instruments” Kestrel / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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