Dr. Yuji Sano is a professor at SANKEN, Osaka University, and Program Manager at Institute for Molecular Science (IMS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS). He is leading a 10-year laser plasma acceleration project funded by the Japanese government. His team is developing technologies such as laser plasma electron acceleration for FELs, ion acceleration for cancer therapy, and high-power compact lasers for particle acceleration based on scientific research. He is also involved in high-power laser materials processing, such as laser peening.

The status of a Japanese national project on laser plasma acceleration (LPA) of electrons and ions is presented. LPA is expected to reduce the size of accelerators by using a high-gradient electric field generated by an intense laser pulse to accelerate FEL-class electron and carbon ion beams. Future applications are expected in science,engineering and medicine.