What's new

October~December, 2022

Released on Dec. 22, 2022

Workshop of 2022FY annual research results of NMIJ (in Japanese) will be held on the web from Jan. 30(Mon) to Feb. 3 (Fri), 2023 (given in Japanese). There will be four poster presentations and a video of the laboratory tour from our group. Participation registration is required. Your cooperation with advance registration by 9:00 am on Janyary 30(Mon), 2023 is appreciated.
(Updated on Jan. 13, 2023: Our group's poster presentation will be held on Wednesday, February 1 in the afternoon. You can have a conversation with the presenter in the virtual space.)(Finished.)

Released on Dec. 2, 2022

Dr. Hirai wrote a commentary on the November 22nd edition of the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun's series "Fushigi no Himitsukichi" under the title of "Various Lights".

Released on Nov. 14, 2022

A paper on mechanism analysis of cyclic error in double-pass homodyne interferometer and evaluation of interferometer with reduced cyclic error, authored by Dr. Hori, has been published.

• Yasuaki Hori, "Quantitative evaluation and removal of periodic error caused by ghost reflections in a double-path homodyne interferometer," Measurement Science and Technology, 34, 025011 (2023).(New window will open.)

Released on Nov. 7, 2022

The paper on international comparison of optical freeform surface measurement, co-authored by Dr. Bitou and Dr. Kondo, was awarded with the EOS Prize 2022. The EOS Prize is awarded for the best paper published in the open access online journal of the EOS (JEOS:RP) (New window will open). The paper was selected based on their impact and quality among the articles published in the period 2020-2022 based on its impact and quality. The award was presented during the European Optical Society Annual Meeting, EOASM 2022. The awarded paper

• Ines Fortmeier, et al., "Round robin comparison study on the form measurement of optical freeform surfaces," Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid Publications, 16, 2 (2020).(opens in a new window)

For more information, please visit EOASM 2022 page (opens in a new window).

Released on Nov. 7, 2022

Online lab tour video of AIST Open House 2022 fall "Experience the daily life of research!" is open to the public. Dr. Telada explains the optical tunnel in the video. Please see the page below.
The daily life of research is extraordinary. Experience the daily life of research! (in Japanese)

Released on Oct. 12, 2022

A lab tour of the Optical Tunnel will be held on November 3 (Thu./holiday) at the AIST Open House. Reservation required. Please see the page below. (Finished. Thank you for your participation.)
2022 AIST Tsukuba Center Open House (in Japanese)
Prior to the Open House, a short movie of the Optical Tunnel explained by Dr. Telada will be released on Twitter and YouTube on Friday, Oct. 14. Please see the page below.
The daily life of research is extraordinary. Experience the daily life of research! (in Japanese)

Released on Apr. 5, 2022

A paper on two-point diameter calibration of a sphere using a micro-coordinate measuring machine, authored by Dr. Kondo, has been published.

• Yohan Kondo, et al., "Two-point diameter calibration of a sphere using a micro-coordinate measuring machine at NMIJ," Metrologia, 59, 024005 (2022).(New window will open.)

Released on Mar. 16, 2022

The research results conducted by Dr. Kondo with the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) were published in "KAKENHI Research Topics" (in Japanese, new window will open) . The title is "Development of large-diameter 3D absolute shape measurement system" (in Japanese, new window will open).

Released on Jan. 24, 2022

Dr. Hirai appeared in "What is 1 m?" Of NHK "Chiko-chan scolds me!" (in Japanese, new window will open) broadcast on January 21st.

Released on Jan. 18, 2022

Workshop of 2021FY annual research results of NMIJ (in Japanese) program has been posted and registration is now open. Your cooperation with advance registration by Janyary 26 (Wed), 2022 is appreciated.(Finished.)

October~December, 2021

Released on Dec. 07, 2021

Workshop of 2021FY annual research results of NMIJ (in Japanese) will be held on the web from Jan. 31(Mon) to Feb. 4 (Fri), 2022 (given in Japanese). There will be five presentations from our group. Details such as the program and registration information will be announced later.(Finished.)

Released on Nov. 02, 2021

Dr. Hirai received the Fiscal 2021 Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau Director-General's Award [Contributor's Award for Metrology System Management, etc.](in Japanese, new window will open.). Her contribution to the operation of the measurement system for many years was awarded.

Released on Oct. 27, 2021

On October 15, 2021, the Council for Cultural Affairs reported to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology that prototype of kilogram, etc. would be additionally designated as an important cultural property, "Prototypes related to the Meter Convention and Measurement Act" for which the prototype of metre etc. have already been designated. (in Japanese) To commemorate this, a special page (in Japanese) was opened on the homepage of the National Metrology Institute of Japan. There is also a page about the prototype of meter.

Released on Oct. 21, 2021

Videos (in Japanese) reconstructed from the online lectures at the IMEKO 2021 Public Lecture "If Science Advances, Units Change" held on August 29, 2021 has been released. In addition to Dr. Hirai's lecture "What is the definition of 1 meter?", there are other lectures about the present and future of units and standards of measurement of temperature, electric current, and mass. You can also find them at the "Learn with videos" (in Japanese) of Sansoken Science Town.

Released on Oct. 11, 2021

We are working at office while practicing what is required in a "New Lifestyle," such as avoiding "3 congestion", keeping a physical distance with others, and thoroughly washing hands. We apologize for any inconvenience caused during the period of working-from-home. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Released on Oct. 04, 2021

Dr. Kawashima received the 2021 Optical Encouragement Award (PDF file in Japanese, new window will open.) from the Optical Society of Japan (New window will open.). The award-winning paper is as follows:

• Natsumi Kawashima, et al., "Superimposing interferogram method using a multi-slit array to enhance sensitivity and interference definition of spatial-phase-shift interferometers," Opt. Rev. 27, No. 6, pp.530-541 (2020). (New window will open.)

The award ceremony and commemorative lecture will be held on October 28th (Thu) and 29th (Fri) at Optics & Photonics Japan 2021 (in Japanese, New window will open.) respectively.

A paper on measurement of the thickness of silicon wafers by double-sided interferometer and bilateral comparison, authored by Dr. Hirai, has been published.

• Akiko Hirai, et al., "Precise measurement of the thickness of silicon wafers by double-sided interferometer and bilateral comparison," Metrologia, 58, 054002 (2021).(New window will open.)

Released on Aug. 20, 2021

Most of the members will work from home for a while to prevent the spread of the infection of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Answering to telephone at office may be difficult for this reason, so please contact us by e-mail to each address shown on the inquiry page or directly to the person in chage if you know the contact information. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and ask for your understanding and cooperation.

1 hiro = about 1.8 m

Let's keep physical distance at least 1.8 m to prevent the spread of the virus.

Released on Jun. 14, 2021

In the Asahi Junior and Senior High School Newspaper published on June 6, an article explaining the old units and the history of unit unification was published in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the promulgation of the Japanese metrology act in which only the meteric system is allowed. Dr. Hirai was interviewed for the article.

Released on Jun. 02, 2021

Dr. Hirai will give a lecture entitled "How is 1 meter decided?" in the public lecture "The units will change as science advances" (in Japanese, new window will open.), which will be held on August 29 (Sun) in conjunction with the 23rd World Congress of the International Measurement Confederation (IMEKO) (new window will open.). There are other talks about the present and future of units and standards of measurement of temperature, electric current, and mass. It's held online, free to watch, and no pre-registration is required, so please watch it. (Ended. Thank you for your participation.)

Released on Jun. 02, 2021

"If-then" (to Amazon, in Japanese, new window will open.), a photo book of the research sites of the AIST, shot by a photographer Yukikazu Ito (in Japanese, new window will open.) will be released on June 12. Photos of the optical tunnel of the Length Standards Research Group are included. Dr. Telada cooperated with the shooting.

Released on Jun. 02, 2021

A summary of the article on the 100th anniversary of the unification of the metric system in Japan, which was published in the Asahi Elementary School Newspaper published on April 17, was published in the Asahi Shimbun published on June 1 (in Japanese, new window will open.).

Released on Apr. 22, 2021

In the Asahi Elementary School Newspaper published on April 17, an article explaining the history and significance of unit unification was published in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the promulgation of the Japanese metrology act in which only the meteric system is allowed. Dr. Hirai was interviewed for the article.

Released on Mar. 25, 2021

An article "Centennial anniversary of the introduction of the metric system in Japan, the prosperity and decline of 'length'" was published in the April 4, 2021 issue of a magazine "Sunday Mainichi" (released on March 23, 2021). Dr. Hirai was interviewed for the article.

Released on Mar. 10, 2021

A paper on international comparison of aspherical surfaces and free shapes, co-authored by Dr. Bitou and Dr. Kondo, has been published.

• Yassir Arezki, et al., "Traceable Reference Full Metrology Chain for Innovative Aspheric and Freeform Optical Surfaces Accurate at the Nanometer Level," Sensors, 21(4), 1103 (2021).

Released on Dec. 24, 2020

Workshop of 2020FY annual research results of NMIJ (in Japanese) will be held on the web from Feb. 1(Mon) to 5 (Fri), 2021 (given in Japanese). Registration is required to access the special page. (Finished.)

Released on Sep. 24, 2020

An English version of the press release on a high-accuracy surface profiler for large diameter substrates released on Feb. 5, 2020 (in Japanese) is published on the English version official AIST website.

Released on Jun. 02, 2020

We are working at office while practicing what is required in a "New Lifestyle," such as avoiding "3 congestion", keeping a physical distance with others, and thoroughly washing hands. We apologize for any inconvenience caused during the period of working-from-home. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Released on Apr. 19, 2020

Most of the members will work from home for a while to prevent the spread of the infection of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Answering to telephone at office may be difficult for this reason, so please contact us by e-mail to each address shown on the inquiry page or directly to the person in chage if you know the contact information. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and ask for your understanding and cooperation.

1 hiro = about 1.8 m

Let's keep physical distance at least 1.8 m to prevent the spread of the virus.

Released on Apr. 08, 2020

The First Round of AIST Recruitment 2020 opened. The RIEM is recruiting for the titles of "Development of High Precision Pysical Standard" (Entry ID: NMIJ-1), "Research, Inspection and Verification of Legal Metrology Instruments" (Entry ID: NMIJ-2), and "Research and Development on High Precision Coordinate Measurement" (Entry ID: NMIJ-7).(Ended)

Released on Apr. 06, 2020

The recent research results are introduced.

• On Feb. 5, 2020, Dr. Kondo and Dr. Bitou made an AIST press relase.
  Development of a large-diameter, high-precision flatness measurement equipment -Measures flatness of Φ600 mm substrate with 5 nm absolute accuracy- (in Japanese)
  It was reported in Nikkan Sangyou Shimbun on page 13 of morning edition on Feb. 17, 2020, Tekkou Shimbun on page 7 of morning edition on Feb. 7, 2020, and OPTRONICS ONLINE on Feb. 6, 2020 (in Japanese).
• On Sep. 27, 2019, a paper Dr. Hori and Dr. Hirai co-authored was selected to Editors' Choice paper for quarter three of 2019 of Precision Engineering. The paper is;
  Yokoyama, S., Hori, Y., Yokoyama, T., Hirai, A., "A heterodyne interferometer constructed in an integrated optics and its metrological evaluation of a picometre-order periodic error," Precision Engineering 54, 206-211 (2018).
  
• On Sep. 5, 2019,Dr. Bitou received a Yoshizawa Paper Award from Mechano-Photonics Committee of The Japan Society for Precision Engineering. The paper is;
  Y. Bitou and Y. Kondo, "Scanning deflectometric profiler for measurement of transparent parallel plates," Appl. Opt. 55, 9282-9287 (2016).
  
• On Nob. 16, 2018, Dr. Hirai received a Distinguished Service Award from The Society of Historical Metrology. The reason for the award is "Contribution to the long history of metrology and the development of the Japan Society of Metrology".
• On Sep. 4, 2018, Dr. Hirai and Dr. Bitou made an AIST press relase.
  High Precision Measurement of the Thickness of Silicon Wafers -Development of a double-sided interferometer for thickness measurement traceable to the national standards for length-
  It was reported in Nikkan Kougyou Shimbun on page 21 on Sep. 5, 2018, electronic edition (in Japanese), OPTRONICS ONLINE on Sep. 5, 2018 (in Japanese), Dempa Shimbun on page 11 of morning edition on Sep. 7, 2018, and Tekkou Shimbun on page 5 of morning edition on Sep. 7, 2018.

Released on Jul. 07, 2015

AIST Tsukuba center open house will be held on July 18, 2015 (in Japanese). Our group will set up a booth with a retroreflector used in length measurement as theme in cooperation with Dimensional Standards and Nanoscale Standards Groups. You can enjoy making a curious mirror.

Released on Jan. 18, 2015

Meeting of Length Club will be held in Tokyo on February 4, 2015. It is on nanoscale metrology and measurement. The details are shown in web page of length club (in Japanese). (Finished. )

Released on Dec. 23, 2014

Dr. Hibino has received the best paper award of 11th IMEKO Symposium LMPMI 2014. The title is "Absolute interferometric test for high numerical-aperture spherical concaves: gravitational effect."

Released on Dec. 23, 2014

We put out a press release stating that "Development of ultra-flat glass surface" (in Japanese). The flat surface with flatness of λ/100 is realized by using ultra-precise flatness

Released on Nov. 17, 2014

Workshop of 2014FY annual research results of NMIJ (in Japanese) will be held on Jan. 22 (Thu) and 23 (Fri), 2015. Length Standards Section will show presentations on Jan. 22 (Thu) (given in Japanese). (Finished. )

Released on Jun. 24, 2014

AIST Tsukuba center open house will be held on July 19, 2014. Our division will set up a booth with length measurement as theme. You can enjoy a mini game to stop a train at precise location. (Finished. )

Released on Jun. 10, 2014

From October 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015, calibration services of gauge blocks, line scales, refractive index, digital scales, step height, flatness, ring gauges and plug gauges are suspended because of improvement work of air conditioning systems. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Released on Apr. 28, 2014

Dr. Kondo has received the Contribution Prize of the 46th Ichimura Science Prize (in Japanese) for "development and standardization of the ultra-precise form standard based on simple forms."

Released on Dec. 19, 2013

Meeting of Length Club will be held in Tokyo on February 27, 2014. It is on Traceability system (JCSS)(New window will open.) and co-sponsored by National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE)(New window will open.). The details are shown in web page of length club (in Japanese). (Finished. )

Released on Oct. 25, 2013

Workshop of 2013FY annual research results of NMIJ (in Japanese) will be held on Jan. 23 (Thu) and 24 (Fri), 2014. Length Standards Section will show presentations on Jan. 23 (Thu) (given in Japanese). (Finished. )

Released on Sep. 10, 2013

AIST Open Lab (in Japanese) will be held on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 2013. Length Standards Section will show F1-06 "Distance standard and optical tunnel". Please register for entry and lab tour in advance. (Finished. )

Released on Jul. 22, 2013

Dr. Hirai will appear on "Galileo X" of BS Fuji (in Japanese. New window will open.) on Jul. 28, 2013 (rerun on Aug. 4, 2013). Dr. Hirai will explaine the history of the unit "metre."

Released on Jul. 11, 2013

Dr. Hirai will give a talk at Science Lion Cafe at Utsunomiya Higashi Library on August 4, 2013 (New window will open, in Japanese). The theme is "Why the prototype of metre is designated as the Important Cultural Property? -Importance and history of the unification of unit system-".(Finished. Event report. (in Japanese))

Released on Jul. 11, 2013

AIST Tsukuba center open house will be held on July 20, 2013. Our division will set up a booth with triangulation as theme. You can experience triangulation there. (Finished. )

Released on Jun. 10, 2013

Expository writing entitled "The prototype of meter: designated as the Important Cultural Property" appears in AIST Today (Japanese version) Vol. 13, No. 6.

Released on Apr. 08, 2013

Dr. Hirai appeared on "Natsume Kinenbi" of tv asahi (in Japanese. New window will open.) on Apr. 7, 2013. The "metre" was firstly defined as the unit of length in France on Apr. 7, 1795. Dr. Hirai explained the unit "metre."

Released on Feb. 07, 2013

Meeting of Length Club will be held at Kansai Branch, Shimadzu corporation on March 8, 2013. It is co-sponsored by Length Club and CMM users Club. The details are shown in web page of length club (in Japanese).(Finished.)

Released on Jan. 21, 2013

Situation of recovery as of Jan. 21, 2013 is released.
(Calibration service of refractive index was resumed.)

Released on Jan. 07, 2013

Workshop of 2012FY annual research results of NMIJ (in Japanese) will be held on Jan. 24 (Thu) and 25 (Fri), 2013. Length Standards Section will show three poster presentations on Jan. 24 (Thu) (given in Japanese). (Finished. )

Released on Oct. 26, 2012

" Technologies to measure length and mass" will be broadcast on BS Japan TV program "Chikyu Asuteku" from 22:00 on Nov. 1, 2012. (in Japanese. New window will open.) The history of length standards, gauge blocks, Optical Tunnel (in Japanese) will be introduced from Length Standards Section.

Released on Oct. 20, 2012

Dr. Hirai will give a talk on the Japanese Prototype Metre designated as the Important Cultural Property at AIST Science Cafe on Nov. 16, 2012 (Fri)(given in Japanese). (Finished. Event report. (in Japanese))

Released on Sep. 7, 2012

Meeting of Length Club was held at AIST Tsukuba center on Sep. 6, 2012 (Thu).

Released on Sep. 7, 2012

The Japanese Prototype Metre and related standards were legally designated as the Important Cultural Property by the notification in the Official Gazette on Sep. 6, 2012 (Thu).

Released on Jun. 27, 2012

The Japanese Prototype Metre will be displayed in the special exhibition of AIST Tsukuba Center open house held on Jul. 21, 2012 (Sat).

Released on Apr. 23, 2012

The Japanese Prototype Metre and related standards will be displayed in the special exhibition of "Newly designated National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties" at the Tokyo National Museum (New window will open) from Apr. 28, 2012 (Sat) to May 13, 2012 (Sun).

Released on Apr. 20, 2012

The Cultural Affairs Council of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology nominated the Japanese Prototype Metre and related standards on the list of the Important Cultural Property. Both the historic and academic value on the weights and measure system in Japan was recognized.
Length Standards Section cooperates in maintenance and records investigation of the Japanese Prototype Metre and related standards because our predecessor had been maintaining and calibrating them.

Released on Apr. 18, 2012

Situation of recovery as of Apr. 18, 2012 is released.
(Calibration service of line scales was resumed.)

Released on Mar. 28, 2012

ASNITE accreditation has been renewed on February 8, 2012 in consequence of ASNITE surveillance and CIPM peer review conducted in September 2011.
Accreditations of gauge blocks, line scales, electronic distance meters, laser interferometers have been renewed. Refractive index has been newly accredited.

Released on Feb. 22, 2012

Situation of recovery as of Feb. 22 is released.
(Calibration service of long gauge blocks was resumed.)

Released on Jan. 6, 2012

Annual reporting of NMIJ activities in fiscal 2011 will be held on January 26 and 27, 2012 at AIST Tsukuba Central. Members of Length Standards Section will give poster presentations on January 26. Details are shown in the page of NMIJ (in Japanese).

Released on Nov. 7, 2011

Meeting of Length Club will be held at Osaka International House on December 3, 2011. It is a workshop organized by APMP TCL and co-sponsored by Length Club and Dimensional Club. The details are shown in the web page of APMP.TCL workshop.

Released on Oct. 7, 2011

Situation of recovery as of Oct. 7 is released.
(Calibration service of digital scale (micro) was resumed.)

Released on Sep. 27, 2011

We will show "Highly precise linear encoder calibration" at AIST Open Lab (Oct. 13 and 14, 2011). We are looking forward to many people attending this event. (Registration deadline for attendance: Oct. 10, 17:00, Registration deadline for lab tour: Oct. 5, 17:00)

Released on May 31, 2011

Situation of recovery as of May 31 is released.
(Calibration services of gauge blocks and step height were resumed.)

Released on May 31, 2011

Mr. Can Feng from Tsinghua University returned to China after the term of technical training.

Released on Apr. 26, 2011

Situation of recovery as of Apr. 26 is released.
(Calibration services of electronic distance meters and laser interferometers were resumed.)

Released on Mar. 22, 2011

Situation of damage by the earthquake and recovery of our section is released.

Released on Feb. 14, 2011

Meeting of Length Club will be held at AIST Tsukuba center on Mar. 11, 2011. The details are shown in the web page of length club (in Japanese).