About Us
Research
Why X-rays? As you well know, X-rays give atomic-scale structure information as an average for quite a large area - you can always see the whole forest even if you are only looking at the trees, which is not the case for other major microscopic tools. Another advantage is that X-rays can be used for analyzing thick, voluminous materials as well as the surface and interfaces of thin films. In addition, sample preparation is easy and, in most cases, you can use your sample as is. Measurement can be done in air, and even in liquid. This freedom in the measurement environment is very attractive. Furthermore, X-ray analysis is generally quantitative and reproducible. Because of this, X-ray techniques are reliable and widely used in industrial and medical applications. However, the biggest advantage of X-ray analysis is its non-destructive nature. This ensures that the same specimen can be measured using other techniques after X-ray measurement. So, what do you think? X-rays are a really attractive tool for analysis, aren't they? However, our research is concerned with what has not yet been achieved by X-rays, rather than attractive applications of the feasible using established tools. We are interested in developing novel analytical methods (theoretical as well) and instruments which will be useful for future materials research. The methods are always immature in the early stages of the research. But that is the nature of science. We prefer to choose such new topics, which are not so easy to understand in terms of study techniques. Instrumentation is key to opening up a new field. In addition to the novelty of the experimental methods, we always pay due respect to careful, in-depth and high-quality data analysis based on original mathematical procedures.
To know more about our research, see Here
Activities at synchrotron facilities, KEK-PF and SPring-8 Members (Photo as of June 2010, 2009, 2008, list of previous members) Kenji Sakurai (Japan), Group Leader, Professor at Tsukuba Unibersity, Adjunct Professor at Charles University in Prague, Czech Masashi Ishii (Japan), Senior Researcher Mari Mizusawa (Japan), Technical Staff Vallerie Ann Innis-Samson (Philippine), PhD Course Student (D2) at Tsukuba University Marek Vysinka (Czech), NIMS junior researcher on leave from Charles University in Prague How to participate in our research Internship (for details see here) : We accept interns from all over the world. The duration is 60-90 days. Our institute will pay all fees during your stay and will arrange accommodation for you. As a research student or a graduate student : An application form for Japanese government scholorship is here. Visit our graduate school's page, http://www.pas.tsukuba.ac.jp/nims/
Jakub Vaverka (Czech), NIMS junior researcher on leave from Charles University in Prague
David Behal (France), Intern student from Ecole Nationale Superieure de Chimie de Rennes France
Kevin Oger(France), Intern student from Materials Sciences at Joseph Fourier University, Polytech Grenoble
Jonas Rylund Glesaaen (Norway), Intern student from Norwegian University of Science and Technology
We welcome anyone who is willing to learn about X-ray physics, and we do not require previous background/experience in the subject. As the research topic for your master or PhD thesis is very important, we need to discuss this with you in depth before submission of your application form for the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship.
As a post doc : We employ those who have specialized in X-ray or neutron sciences. Please contact us for details of working conditions etc. There are several ways to become a post doc (NIMS postdoc, JSPS etc.)
As a partner for collaboration : We collaborate with universities, institutes and companies all over the world. Please contact us for details.
Contact
Kenji Sakurai
National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047 Japan
Phone +81-29-859-2821, Fax +81-29-859-2801 E-mail sakurai@yuhgiri.nims.go.jp
Note Your e-mail could be rejected if you use yahoo.* or gmail.* etc. In this case, please fax your e-mail address. Otherwise, just phone me. I can then validate your e-mail address I'm sorry about the inconvenience, but it is absolutely necessary for us to protect our system.
Related Links
National Institute for Materials Science
Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter
News for International X-Ray Analysis Community (for X-Ray Spectrometry journal)
Forthcoming Meetings and Events (for X-Ray Spectrometry journal)
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