USER'S VOICE

　Our company develops information and communication, automobile parts, and electronic products, and provides many products to society.In order to achieve the desired performance in new product development, it is important to understand the characteristics of the materials used, such as their structures and functions.An aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) at the University of Tokyo was used in the development of semiconductor lasers and superconducting wires.
　Global demand for semiconductor lasers is increasing as communication capacity increases, and we are developing light sources for optical communication and amplifiers for long-distance communication.For semiconductor lasers, it is necessary to fabricate the facet protective layer that reflects light with atomic-level precision.Aiming to form a layer that reflects appropriately, we observed it with a STEM and repeated trial and error, and succeeded in developing a high-power semiconductor laser.
　Superconducting wires are expected to be applied to superconducting coils that generate high magnetic fields.When a superconducting wire is made into a coil and a strong magnetic field is generated, the magnetic field is quantized in the superconducting state and the superconducting state cannot be maintained.Therefore, in order to develop an artificial pin (several nanometers) made of barium and zirconium oxide that stops the movement of magnetic flux quanta, we used STEM to derive the appropriate size of the artificial pin, which led to improved functionality.Demand for superconducting coils is expected to grow in the future, as they are expected to be used in nuclear fusion power plants, which are highly safe and emit little CO2, and in MRIs, which are capable of high-precision diagnostic imaging.
　A large number of advanced analysis devices are essential to support our diverse products, but it is difficult for a single company to own them all.
　In order for Japanese companies to maintain their competitiveness in the international community, they must ensure reliability in manufacturing.I believe that new innovations will be born from this foundation.It is extremely important that equipment and basic technology are all available in Japan, and if universities and companies can combine their strengths and create mutually beneficial value, there will be much to be gained.By allowing us to use expensive facilities and equipment as common property, we are able to use that amount for development, which we believe will lead to an increase in the competitiveness of Japanese industry.
(Nanotechnology Platform User Report CASE03)