News: Optoelectronics
11 March 2024
Tokyo Institute of Technology’s Kenichi Iga awarded Optica’s Frederic Ives Medal/Jarus W. Quinn Prize
Optica (formerly the Optical Society of America, OSA) has named Kenichi Iga, Professor Emeritus and former president of Tokyo Institute of Technology, as recipient of the 2024 Frederic Ives Medal/Jarus W. Quinn Prize for his “pioneering contributions and visionary leadership in the field of semiconductor lasers and optoelectronics and a dedication to training and educating future generations”.
Picture: Kenichi Iga.
“Kenichi Iga fundamentally changed the field with his revolutionary work on VCSELs [vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser],” comments Optica’s 2024 president Gerd Leuchs. VCSELs are said to have changed semiconductor lasers from an expensive and challenging specialized device to a widely available and accessible tool manufactured in high volumes and used across an ever-increasing number of industries.
First presented in 1929, the Frederic Ives Medal recognizes overall distinction in optics and is Optica’s highest award. The Quinn Prize was added in 1995 in honor of Optica’s first executive director Jarus W. Quinn.
Iga received his D.Eng degree from Tokyo Institute of Technology). He joined the Precision and Intelligence (P&I) Laboratory at Tokyo Tech in 1968, eventually becoming the Teiichi Yamazaki chair professor. He served as director of Institute Library and director of the P&I Microsystem Research Center, executive director of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and president of Tokyo Tech.
His work is said to have significantly impacted high-speed communications. Since his first demonstration of a VCSEL in 1979 at Tokyo Tech, he has established the fundamental technical and theoretical bases for the lasers and inspired much research in the field. Today, about 75% of all telecoms lasers sold are VCSELs. Iga is also a mentor, advisor and volunteer, working to strengthen the field through training and international collaboration.
Iga is the author of several books, including ‘Fundamentals of Microoptics and Surface Emitting Lasers’ and ‘VCSEL Industry’, and more than 450 papers. He is a Fellow of Optica, IEEE, IEICE, JSAP, and Laser Society. Awards received include the Sakurai Memorial Prize, the Ichimura Award, Asahi Prize, Fujiwara Award, C&C Prize, the IEE Premium Award, the John Tyndall Award, the IEEE Daniel E. Noble Award, the Rank Prize, 2013 Bower Award and Prize in Science from the Franklin Institute, and 2021 IEEE Edison Medal. In 2001, he received the Purple Ribbon Medal from the Japanese Emperor and 2022 Person of Cultural Merit from the Japanese Government.
