Introduction of Director / Deputy Director

Breaking down the academic boundaries of photonics field and polymer field, we have proposed various polymers with novel functions by dating back to the essence of optical functions that would occur in the interaction of photons and polymers. In our proposed project entitled "Creation of Face-to-Face Communication Industry by Ultra High-Speed Plastic Optical Fiber and Photonics Polymers for High-Resolution and Large-Size Display" in Funding Program for World-Leading Innovative R&D on Science and Technology (FIRST) , we have comprehensively conducted various R&Ds making full use of novel functions of photonics polymer technologies that were born in our laboratory, such as the world's fastest graded-index polymer optical fiber (GI POF) that has an overwhelming bit rate and optical functional films for high definition and large display, etc.

At the end of the FIRST program, the world's fastest GI-POF which we have proposed was commercialized, and "Novel Liquid Crystal Display" made by novel photonics polymers such as light scattering optical polymer and zero birefringence polymer. Furthermore, numerous results were achieved; "Super Birefringent Film" which was born in the FIRST Program, was largely reported in the top page of Nikkei dated February 4th 2013, and it was also widely adopted as liquid crystal display film. These technologies resulted through the FIRST Program have been used in the new 75th memorial building completed its construction in January 2014 in the Faculty of Science and technology, and has also been used in Keio University School of Medicine. In School of Medicine, remote lectures on cutting-edge endoscope surgery and otolaryngology 3D video lectures, which are realized by the world's fastest GI-POF and high-definition and large size display, have been highly evaluated.

Currently in Japan, we are aiming for the realization of 4K/8K transmission towards the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo to be held in 2021, however, many issues and problems still remain unsolved. In fact presently, we would still need thick cable for transmitting 4K/8K video data real time. We want to establish means of transmission that is bearable for massive volume data that increases along with demand for the higher-definition display, and against increase of noise, etc. We are still halfway to realize the true display that satisfies the 8K standard.

I truly hope that the results of GI-POF and displays developed based on novel photonics polymers will be increasingly returned to society, and that the era of true real color 8K images and 5G, and even the post-5G era, will someday be closer.

April 1st, 2020
Yasuhiro Koike

Professor, Keio University,
Director, Keio Photonics Research Institute