KPSI annual report 2020

This annual report from Kansai Photon Science Institute (KPSI) provides highlights of the scientific and technical research that was conducted over the 2021 fiscal year. KPSI is one of the research and development (R&D) bases of the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) and has two R&D sites, the Kizu site in Keihanna science city in Kyoto prefecture and the Harima site in Hyogo prefecture. Six years have passed since the restart of KPSI in QST, and several outstanding results are being produced. In the laser science field at the Kizu site, we have steadily achieved results in areas such as the improvement of the pulse contrast of the J-KAREN-P laser using a plasma mirror, ultra-thin film irradiation experiments in laser acceleration research, development of a highly stable pump source for OPCPA and a new-type oscillator which are expected to become basic technology of next-generation lasers, and theoretical research in laser-matter interaction. In the field of quantum life science, we are steadily proceeding in areas such as the elucidation of the structure of the protein complex involved in the generation of circadian rhythms in living organisms, the establishment of a novel approach for measuring the 'Cluster DNA damage' using an atomic force microscope (AFM), and the mechanism of gene mutation using Monte Carlo simulation. Additionally at the Harima site, we have achieved excellent results in areas such as the clarification of the hydrogenation mechanism of Fe-Mo alloy under high pressure, the observation of nanocrystals inside a material via Bragg coherent diffraction imaging using synchrotron X-rays, the theoretical study of spin dynamics in antiferromagnetic materials, and also we have made good progress in machine learning and automating data acquisition which must become important in future synchrotron radiation experiments. Furthermore, from the perspective of social implementation of optical technology, we are continuing efforts to develop compact high-brightness light sources for medical applications and to put laser tunnel inspection technology into practical use. (J.P.N.)