Gigaphoton Inc., a manufacturer of light sources for semiconductor lithography, has announced its participation in Japan’s Moonshot Research and Development Program, a government-backed initiative designed to address complex societal challenges through breakthrough technologies. The program, led by the Cabinet Office, brings together researchers worldwide to pursue ambitious goals, including advancing fusion energy as a sustainable power source.
Within the program, Gigaphoton is contributing to Goal 10, which seeks to realize a dynamic society in harmony with the environment and free from resource constraints by 2050 through applications of fusion energy. The company is specifically involved in the R&D project “Fundamental Superconducting Technology to Realize Various Innovative Fusion Reactor Concepts,” led by project manager Dr. Takanobu Kiss. The effort centers on establishing mass production technology for high-performance REBCO wires—critical components for superconducting magnets in fusion reactors—while ensuring both quality and cost efficiency.
Gigaphoton’s role focuses on developing excimer lasers for Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD), leveraging its decades of expertise in excimer laser technology widely deployed in semiconductor lithography. By enhancing the performance and availability of PLD equipment, Gigaphoton aims to enable efficient, high-quality fabrication processes necessary for advanced superconducting technologies.
“High-temperature superconducting wires used in fusion reactors represent a promising field with enormous potential,” said Tatsuo Enami, President and CEO of Gigaphoton. “Pursuing this challenge is vital for achieving carbon neutrality. Gigaphoton is committed to contributing to a sustainable society by advancing solutions that support the realization of carbon neutrality.”
