We sincerely appreciate your interest in NTT Basic Research Laboratories.
Basic Research Laboratories (BRL) was established in 1998, when the former BRL was divided into the Communication Science Laboratories and laboratories devoted to basic research in the area of hardware. BRL’s mission is to 1) discover novel concepts in network technology that will overcome present limitations in speed, capacity, and size and 2) pioneer basic technology that will become a foundation for future business.
Two of our most promising projects are quantum information processing and the nano-bio project.
The main topics of research in quantum information processing are quantum computation and quantum cryptography. Taking advantage of our ability to run projects ranging in scope from small to huge, NTT BRL’s research on quantum bits using solid-state components has achieved world-class success. In quantum cryptography, we are accelerating research using single photons. The nano-bio project fuses neuroscience, bio-molecular science, and nanotechnology in the search for hybrids of comprising molecular and protein-based devices.
While promoting these projects, we are also conducting exploratory research in the following fields: quantum correlation within low-dimensional electron systems, systems that use the spin of individual electrons as an information carrier, material design that uses quantum dots as building blocks, electrical properties of carbon nanotubes, and MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) related to superconductivity. As we research these fields, we emphasize the need for good communication between researchers and managers as a way to judge whether or not they will bear fruit in the future.
Alongside such exploratory research, we are putting effort into creating innovative technology. For instance, in the field of diamond semiconductors, whose ability to handle high power and high-frequency waves make them promising for various applications, we have developed technology that produces diamond thin films of high quality and succeeded in operating a diamond transistor at 80 GHz. In addition, we are engaged in research on single-electron devices for their extremely low power consumption, photonic crystal for use as active optical circuits, and optical devices using wide-bandgap semiconductor materials. We see these as innovative technologies that will overcome the limitations of the present network.
To maintain fruitful research activities, we believe it is essential to have an open research policy. We not only keep in close touch with other NTT Laboratories, but also run various scientific exchange programs with institutes inside and outside Japan. Our collaborative work on quantum dots and quantum bits with Delft University and Stanford University has led to several interesting discoveries, and nano-bio research with the University of Tokyo has also been producing promising results. Moreover, we hold International Symposiums, Summer Schools, and International Advisory Board Meetings to disseminate our research information worldwide and encourage greater understanding of it.
This brochure provides annual review of our research activities and achievements in 2003. We hope it will contribute to the promotion of scientific exchange throughout the world.
June 2004
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