The current status of synchrotron radiation (SR) research around the world is reviewed. The historical and regional developments of SR facilities are described. The pathways to third-generation SR sources are discussed in conjunction with the evolution of their scientific applications. Efforts towards the realization of next-generation sources are introduced.

The history of remote-sensing analyses using an X-ray spectrometer in planetary science is described. Elements constituting surface rocks have been globally mapped and/or analyzed by in situ observation since the initial stage of planetary exploration. Modern technologies of sensor devices, high speed and large-scale CPUs, and of high-speed data processing systems, have led to the progress of planetary science. Future perspectives in this field are also introduced in association with X-ray observation.

In clinics one utilizes four types of imaging, namely, X-ray, ultrasound, PET (positron emission tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). These techniques and their diagnostic capabilities are improving. Nevertheless visualizing soft tissues are not easy. We have come up with an idea of X-ray dark-field imaging that can provide us with images only due to refraction. One does not need mathematical procedure to deduce refraction component in this method. A test is under way to verify usefulness of this DFI. A field size of up to 90 mm in square has been achieved. When applied to human joints, and breast cancer phantom and human sliced breast cancer specimens this method can clearly visualize thus far invisible structure. The spatial resolution on the order of 10 microns or better is achieved. This system is approaching clinical trial. In this note we describe our recent results.

A brief history of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis and recent developments in XRF techniques are described with practical examples from two viewpoints; i.e., laboratory XRF techniques and synchrotron radiation XRF. The former includes portable XRF analysis utilizing a silicon drift detector and its application to archaeometric analysis. Application of XRF technique to environmental problems such as analysis of toxic Cd in rice with sub-ppm level sensitivity using a new XRF spectrometer equipped with secondary targets and polarized optics is also discussed. The latter includes high energy XRF analysis and its application to forensic analysis. Ultratrace element analysis with a wavelength-dispersive total reflection XRF technique and μ-XRF imaging utilizing an X-ray nanobeam are introduced with some practical examples.

The MIRRORCLE-6X is a tabletop hard X-ray source. By setting a 1 μm outer diameter cross-section target in the electron orbit of the synchrotron, we have succeeded in generating a brilliant hard X-ray beam. The X-ray source point size is the smallest among any X-ray source leads to a high-quality X-ray beam. For instance,in the 10 times magnified phase contrast X-ray image obtained by setting the imaging device far from the specimen we could consequently clearly investigate the shape of a cancer tumor of mm size. In this paper, we describe the principle of MIRRORCLE-6X, and the observed X-ray quality. The present status of X-ray microscope, protein crystallography, and X-ray lithography beam lines are also mentioned.

Advances in X-ray source technology for industrial applications are reviewed. Basically the principle behind practical X-ray sources has been the same since the discovery of X-rays. Miniaturization has been mainly achieved by putting the X-ray source near the specimen by optimizing the system configuration, since the higher efficiency of X-ray utilization makes it possible to use a lower power X-ray tube. Recently, this miniaturization is accelerated by utilization of new materials such as carbon nanotubes. The X-ray guide tube significantly improves the condensing efficiency of X-rays and realizes micro-XRF analysis as well as the miniaturization of X-ray source. Both monocapillary and polycapillary X-ray guide tubes available for practical use are compared here.

We can measure X-ray photon energy precisely using a low-noise readout system with an X-ray Charge Coupled Device (CCD). Astronomical X-ray CCDs have a deep depletion layer and are employed with X-ray optics. We have developed such CCDs for X-ray use that is employed both in the sample-return satellite, "Hayabusa", and in the MAXI on the Space Station. A new type of CCD with a scintillator is introduced. We will employ our technique in laboratory applications as well as astronomical applications.

Inverse Compton scattering, which is an interaction between a relativistic electron beam and a laser pulse, is an attractive method for femtosecond X-ray generation. The generated X-ray also has good directivity and monochromatic photon energy. We have developed a compact femtosecond X-ray source by the inverse Compton scheme. The pulse duration of the generated X-ray was 150 fs(rms)(17.1 keV) at minimum, and the X-ray photon number at a generation point was 2x10⁶photons/pulse(33.7 keV) at maximum. In this report, we describe the performance of the X-ray source.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show a promising optical nonlinearity as saturable absorbers in the near-infrared region including optical fiber communication wavelengths. To effectively utilize this nonlinearity and construct practical devices, we have developed material engineering for CNT diameter control and nanodispersion of CNTs into polymer matrix. As a result, we have obtained a CNT/polymer saturable absorber film with a good optical quality. Inserting this film into a ring cavity of a fiber laser, we succeeded in femotosecond passive mode-lock pulse lasing with stable and reproducible performance.

We have investigated the spatial characteristics of plasmon modes inside single gold nanorods on the basis of the high spatial resolving power of a near-field microscope. The transmission images observed are reflected by the spatial characteristics of resonant plasmon wave functions, and agree well with calculated maps of optical local density-of-states. By combining near-field methodology with a time-resolved technique, ultrafast spatio-temporal response of plasmon resonance has been observed. We show in this article experimental results of energy dissipation (electron-electron scattering and electron-phonon scattering) processes that occur in the nanometric regime.

The progress of microfabrication technology has been significant in recent years. We can fabricate nanostructure patterns with 100 nm and 10 nm dimensions using photolithography and electron-beam-lithography, respectively. However, these exposure machines are very expensive, over 1 million dollars, and can only be applied to the mass production of Si devices. On the other hand, nanoimprints with a 10 nm resolution can be fabricated at a very low cost and achieve a high throughput. This technology is very useful for fabricating biodevices. This article describes nanoimprint processes and their application to biodevices.

Silicon carbide (SiC) has an electric breakdown field 10 times higher than that of silicon, and is expected to be an excellent material for next-generation high-voltage, low-loss power devices. Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) have already been used for switching mode power supplies, and switching devices are being competitively developed in many research organizations and companies. In this article, after the fundamentals of SiC power device design are described, the current status of SiC power device development is introduced.