Exclusive interview
Exclusive interview
Corporate Newsletter | December 2023
Corporate Newsletter | January 2024
Meet Kenichi Otsuka, Section Manager at Hamamatsu Photonics, a Dazzling Addition to the Photonics 100 list!
Meet Kenichi Otsuka, Section Manager at Hamamatsu Photonics, a Dazzling Addition to the Photonics 100 list!
Organized by Electro Optics, the Photonics 100 list celebrates the outstanding contributions of people pushing the photonics industry forward. On this year’s list of most innovative people is Kenichi Otsuka, the Section Manager at Hamamatsu Photonics, Japan.
We are delighted to have Kenichi-san respond to our questions below concerning his current work and the reasons for being selected.
Organized by Electro Optics, the Photonics 100 list celebrates the outstanding contributions of people pushing the photonics industry forward. On this year’s list of most innovative people is Kenichi Otsuka, the Section Manager at Hamamatsu Photonics, Japan.
We are delighted to have Kenichi-san respond to our questions below concerning his current work and the reasons for being selected.
Hi Kenichi Otsuka, we are very excited to hear about what you do and how it contributes to the photonics industry. First, we would like to know a bit more about you. Can you tell us about your and your team’s role? What technology are you currently developing?
Hi Kenichi Otsuka, we are very excited to hear about what you do and how it contributes to the photonics industry. First, we would like to know a bit more about you. Can you tell us about your and your team’s role? What technology are you currently developing?
Hello and thank you for organizing this interview. Located at Hamamatsu Photonics, in Japan, our team develops components that are integrated into spectrometers as well as spectrometers. Within this department, I’m in charge of promoting new technologies and the release of new products. We are currently focusing on the launch of our latest product, the OPAL-Luxe and searching for new applications that are suitable for this technology. Also, we are developing spectrum imaging applications like film thickness measurement, and testing this to use with different technologies.
Hello and thank you for organizing this interview. Located at Hamamatsu Photonics, in Japan, our team develops components that are integrated into spectrometers as well as spectrometers. Within this department, I’m in charge of promoting new technologies and the release of new products. We are currently focusing on the launch of our latest product, the OPAL-Luxe and searching for new applications that are suitable for this technology. Also, we are developing spectrum imaging applications like film thickness measurement, and testing this to use with different technologies.
This is exciting, can you tell us a bit more about how it works?
This is exciting, can you tell us a bit more about how it works?
Yes, of course. In order to push the boundaries of the existing dynamic range of our spectrometers, we have developed a new CCD image sensor that is divided into two sections. One is for the bright spectrum and the other for the weak spectrum, and each spectrum can be detected simultaneously. Based on these data, we have achieved a dynamic range spectrum measurement that is 100 times greater than a conventional one!
Yes, of course. In order to push the boundaries of the existing dynamic range of our spectrometers, we have developed a new CCD image sensor that is divided into two sections. One is for the bright spectrum and the other for the weak spectrum, and each spectrum can be detected simultaneously. Based on these data, we have achieved a dynamic range spectrum measurement that is 100 times greater than a conventional one!
That is fantastic! Can you tell us a bit more about the applications that you are aiming at?
That is fantastic! Can you tell us a bit more about the applications that you are aiming at?
Absolutely. Currently, we are aiming at a variety of applications from research to industry. In particular, the following are suitable for industrial applications that take advantage of the high speed of multichannel spectrometers (polychromator):
• Laser spectrum measurement
• Plasma diagnosis
• Film thickness measurement
• Absorption measurement
Absolutely. Currently, we are aiming at a variety of applications from research to industry. In particular, the following are suitable for industrial applications that take advantage of the high speed of multichannel spectrometers (polychromator):
• Laser spectrum measurement
• Plasma diagnosis
• Film thickness measurement
• Absorption measurement
Why do you think you and your team were selected for Photonics 100?
Why do you think you and your team were selected for Photonics 100?
As a sensor manufacturer among other products, we have developed the ultimate sensor for dynamic range spectroscopic measurement. However, achieving the development of a reliable sensor alone will not maximize its capabilities. Our real strength lies in our ability to access and utilize the know-how we have developed not only across the years but also across our various internal divisions. Since Hamamatsu offers a wide range of optical solutions, our knowledge spans many technologies. For us, we were able to cultivate spectroscopic optical system technology as well as spectral data correction technology. We believe this approach was the reason our efforts were recognized.
As a sensor manufacturer among other products, we have developed the ultimate sensor for dynamic range spectroscopic measurement. However, achieving the development of a reliable sensor alone will not maximize its capabilities. Our real strength lies in our ability to access and utilize the know-how we have developed not only across the years but also across our various internal divisions. Since Hamamatsu offers a wide range of optical solutions, our knowledge spans many technologies. For us, we were able to cultivate spectroscopic optical system technology as well as spectral data correction technology. We believe this approach was the reason our efforts were recognized.
This makes sense, the more knowledge you can cultivate, the better chances you have to offer the ideal solution. What would you say is your star product and what are its benefits?
This makes sense, the more knowledge you can cultivate, the better chances you have to offer the ideal solution. What would you say is your star product and what are its benefits?
Recently we released the OPAL-Luxe which is a compact, multi-channel spectrometer with ultra-high dynamic range.
Recently we released the OPAL-Luxe which is a compact, multi-channel spectrometer with ultra-high dynamic range.
Nice! And what gave you the idea to develop this product in the first place?
Nice! And what gave you the idea to develop this product in the first place?
It's very simple, we aimed to break through the limits of dynamic range so we could change the fate of multichannel spectrometers (polychromators) and ultimately the types of applications they could achieve.
It's very simple, we aimed to break through the limits of dynamic range so we could change the fate of multichannel spectrometers (polychromators) and ultimately the types of applications they could achieve.
Of course, it’s always exciting to see the evolution over the years of such technology. How about the future, can you tell us what to expect?
Of course, it’s always exciting to see the evolution over the years of such technology. How about the future, can you tell us what to expect?
Yes, I would say that we wish to spread this technology across the world thanks to our sales offices worldwide. We also will continue to research and develop spectroscopic solutions for new potential applications with the hope of acquiring more OEM business.
Yes, I would say that we wish to spread this technology across the world thanks to our sales offices worldwide. We also will continue to research and develop spectroscopic solutions for new potential applications with the hope of acquiring more OEM business.
