Power Laser System Engineering (PLS) Group – Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University

Realizing "Smart Power Lasers" to Solve Global Challenges

The Power Laser System Engineering (PLS) Group is part of the Institute of Laser Engineering (ILE), a nationally recognized joint-use research institute attached to Osaka University, one of Japan's leading national universities. Established in 1972, ILE has been at the forefront of laser science and engineering research in Japan for over 50 years.

Our group develops the world's highest average-power class laser systems, centered on the concept of "Smart Power Lasers" — modular, on-demand configurable, multi-purpose laser systems. Through novel laser materials, advanced amplification techniques, and beam control technologies, we pursue applications ranging from laser processing and fluorescence analysis to laser-driven quantum beam sources (X-rays, ions, neutrons) and laser fusion energy.

We are also affiliated with the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University (Division of Electrical, Electronic and Infocommunications Engineering, Quantum Information Electronics), and actively supervise graduate students in master's and doctoral programs.

Research Areas

High-Power Laser Development

Design and construction of kJ-class, high-repetition-rate diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) systems as next-generation laser drivers for fusion energy and industrial applications.

Laser Gain Media & Materials

Research on advanced laser gain media and novel optical materials for high-energy, high-average-power laser systems, including exploration of new material compositions and characterization of their optical and thermal properties.

Thermal Management & Amplifier Design

Development of thermal control techniques for high-repetition-rate laser amplifiers, including cryogenic cooling, slab and active-mirror architectures, and chirped pulse amplification (CPA) systems.

Laser Fusion Energy

Contribution to the realization of laser-driven inertial fusion energy (IFE) through the development of practical, high-repetition-rate laser driver technologies, overcoming the limitations of conventional Nd:glass gain media.

Members

As of April 2025

Faculty & Researchers

Name	Title	Note
Akifumi Yogo / 余語覚文	Professor	Group Leader
Koji Tsubakimoto / 椿本孝治	Associate Professor
Jumpei Ogino / 荻野純平	Assistant Professor
Yuki Tamaru / 田丸裕基	Assistant Professor
John Gelleta	Assistant Professor	Kyoto Univ. Liaison Office
Noriaki Miyanaga / 宮永憲明	Specially Appointed Professor
Hidetsugu Yoshida / 吉田英次	Specially Appointed Researcher
Satoshi Matsuo / 松尾悟志	Specially Appointed Researcher
Shota Nakano / 中野翔太	Specially Appointed Technical Staff

Students

Name	Program	Year
Nana Noura / 能浦奈々	Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Univ.	M2
Kaoru Kitamura / 北村薫	Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Univ.	M1
Emi Kurimura / 栗村愛美	Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Univ.	M1
Jo Hirabayashi / 平林丈	Faculty of Engineering, Osaka Univ.	B4
Issa Yamamoto / 山本一瑳	Faculty of Engineering, Osaka Univ.	B4
Ayumu Nakanishi / 中西歩夢	Faculty of Engineering, Kindai Univ.	B4
Soma Yoshimura / 吉村綜真	Faculty of Engineering, Kindai Univ.	B4

Contact

Power Laser System Engineering (PLS) Group

Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University

2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan

Email: [email protected]