Spintronics Research and Development Center (SU)

Center Director: Yukio Nozaki (Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology)

Main Campus: Yagami

The microscopic spin angular momentum of electrons and other particles in materials can be controlled in its magnitude and direction by electricity, magnetism, light, heat, and mechanical rotational motion.

Spintronics is a new academic field that elucidates the physics of the coupling between spin angular momentum and various physical quantities to create new functionalities. It is attracting attention as a key technology for next-generation electronic devices that will realize the ultra-high-speed information processing and communication required for artificial intelligence (AI).

Keio University has published numerous pioneering research results in this field to date, and it is necessary to continue to actively lead the development of the field while being conscious of global competition and cooperation. This center aims to secure Japan's advantage and priority by opening its doors to researchers from Japan and abroad and by building a collaborative research network that integrates resources such as cutting-edge academic achievements and joint research facilities.

Spin quantum computer, nitrogen-vacancy center, isotope engineering, spin current, magnon, spin-torque device

■ Continuing Activities from FY2019: Background, Rationale, and Goals

The Spintronics Research and Development Center aims to further develop the research results, mainly in fundamental fields, conducted at the "Spintronics Research Center" (Director: Kohei M. Itoh), which was established from FY2008 to FY2018. The goal is to disseminate world-leading research results in a wide range of fields from basic to applied, and for Keio University to play a central role in spintronics research in Japan. Spintronics is a new academic field that discovers new physical phenomena obtained by controlling both the electrical and magnetic properties of materials and links these results to innovation in the electronics and information and communication industries. Researchers and alumni of Keio University have contributed significantly to its creation and development. To lead its further development as a basic academic discipline and its application in industry, the Spintronics Research and Development Center will continue to operate from FY2019 to promote spintronics research and development and disseminate information.

■ New Activity Goals and Content for FY2020, and Implementation Background

This center serves as a hub for spintronics researchers within Keio and also fulfills its mission as the core of a spintronics collaborative network that promotes cooperation among spintronics researchers in Japan and overseas. To this end, as representatives of the researcher community in the field of spintronics in Japan, four universities—the University of Tokyo, Tohoku University, Osaka University, and Keio University—applied for the "Spintronics Research Network of Japan (Spin-RNJ)" hub formation plan as part of the "Large-Scale Academic Research Projects - Roadmap 2020," and it was adopted as a priority large-scale research project (Date of adoption: January 30, 2020). This made it possible to apply for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's (MEXT) "Basic Concept for the Promotion of Large-Scale Academic Research Projects - Roadmap 2020." This program evaluates and certifies research fields that require focused national funding, which not only greatly expands the opportunity for Keio University's spintronics research to acquire large-scale budgets but also leads to the development of the academic field and the enhancement of international competitiveness through personnel exchange among hub universities. Furthermore, by utilizing these budgets to establish a center office and a common research space, we will realize organic collaboration among center members, thereby creating new initiatives in spintronics research.

■ Implementation Details, Research Results, and Degree of Achievement for the Fiscal Year Business Plan

The main activities are as follows, and sufficient results have been achieved for a start-up center.

1. Co-sponsorship and Support for International Conferences/Workshops

2. Public Relations and Outreach Activities

Exhibited a booth at the 20th KEIO TECHNO-MALL (Keio Techno-Mall 2019) (December 13, 2019, Tokyo International Forum) The 26th KEIO TECHNO-MALL 2025

3. Subsidies for Attending International Conferences

4. Expansion of the center's research space using the shared research space of the Keio University Faculty of Science and Technology

5. Subsidies for fees for shared equipment, such as microfabrication systems

This center aims to form research networks both domestically and internationally, and its primary achievements should be evaluated based on collaborative research with domestic and international partners. Therefore, only results based on collaborative research are listed.

As representatives of the researcher community in the field of spintronics in Japan, four universities—the University of Tokyo, Tohoku University, Osaka University, and Keio University—applied for the "Spintronics Research Network of Japan (Spin-RNJ)" hub formation plan as part of the "Large-Scale Academic Research Projects - Roadmap 2020," and it was adopted as a priority large-scale research project (Date of adoption: January 30, 2020).