Hideki HIRAYAMA
Team leader, Terahertz Quantum Device Team
Doctor of Engineering. collaborative professor, Saitama University. Achieved the world’s first high efficiency UV light emission with a wavelength of 340 nm in 2001. Received the Marubun Research Promotion Foundation Award in 2003 and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Young Scientist Award in 2005.
■Message for future scientists
Breakthroughs need ideas.
I have long been interested in growing crystals. I have found it great fun to create new substances with new characteristics and functions.
To improve the quality of semiconductor crystals, the performance of the fabrication facility is very important. To conduct world-class research, I even built my own reactor, a piece of equipment in which crystals are grown from chemical reaction, since the commercially available equipment was not good enough.
The difference between pure science and engineering lies is whether the results can be put to practical use and contribute to society. In semiconductor production, there are two lines of research: research and development for breakthroughs, and research directed at mass production.
Success is achieved only when many conditions combine in a desirable way, but this is not easy. Breakthroughs need ideas. Thoroughly prepare yourself for every possibility and keep trying under different conditions. It can be tedious work, but to witness a world ‘first’ breakthrough is tremendously exciting. It’s like a treasure hunt. Our research team has student researchers and these young people don’t give up easily. Inspiration is very important, but so is the perseverance required to check every possibility. Our high quality AlN layer was born out of such persistent challenge and teamwork.