Research and Development
Anticipate the future to create technology
At Nikon, the Technology Strategy Committee determines priority investment areas and the direction of technology development based on medium- to long-term plan. We advance technological development in cooperation with our corporate R&D departments responsible for the development of fundamental and future technologies, our business departments responsible for product development, and our group companies.
We actively engage in joint development with universities, research institutes, and companies, including startups. Additionally, in order to promote the advancement of science and technology, we are giving back to society the knowledge we have gained from our research and development through the universities’ endowed research departments.
![[Enlarge]](/company/technology/assets/img/icon_01.png){kind=icon}
Click to enlarge
Technology Strategy Committee
This committee clarifies technology strategies that will lead to the development of new fields where Nikon should focus and enhance the competitiveness of existing businesses. It determines the direction of technology development and priority investment area in alignment with the company’s medium- to long-term plans. We will proceed with technology development in two fields for value proposition: industry and quality of life, as established in our Medium-Term Management Plan. Through these, Nikon will achieve long-term growth while proactively addressing a wide range of social issues and needs.
Business Units
Based on the product and service plans of each business unit, we are developing the technologies necessary for each design, from the overall design to the individual elements. In the overall design–for example, in the case of lithography systems–the specifications for each elemental technology like the optical system and stage system are determined in order to achieve the required precision and throughput of the equipment. For each of these elemental technologies, we are developing high-precision stage control and position measurement for lithography systems, high-speed AF systems and image processing engines for cameras, new observation methods and automated image acquisition for microscopes.
Corporate R&D Divisions
We are developing technologies that are commonly required across various businesses, as well as those necessary for the future. We focus on optical systems, light sources, and imaging sensors, which form the foundation of many products, and also acquire the necessary knowledge in these areas. For manufacturing, we are developing technologies in materials, processing, assembly/adjustment, and inspection in order to improve the productivity of various products with different sizes, required precision, production volumes, etc., and to manufacture unprecedented products. It takes a long development period to develop technology that can be used in products. The role of the corporate research and development department is to prepare the technology that will be needed in the future.
Group Companies
We conduct various research and development activities based on the characteristics of each group company. Business-related group companies mainly focus on product development, while production-related group companies develop technologies necessary for manufacturing. The group company specializing in research and development (Nikon Research Corporation of America) is based in the United States and is engaged in research and development of lithography systems, imaging/camera peripheral technology, AI, software, and high-precision systems.
Examples of Corporate Research and Development
Development of a Method for Manufacturing Transparent Conductive Thin Films Using “Fog”
As the demand for flexible LCD panels, organic EL panels, and solar cells increases, Nikon is advancing research and development of the “Roll to Roll” method, which is one of its key manufacturing techniques for flexible devices. We are conducting research on transparent conductive thin films for use in flexible devices, as part of the equipment and peripheral technologies required for the “Roll to Roll” method. In collaboration with the business unit that is developing the “Roll to Roll” method and the necessary peripheral technologies, the R&D department partnered with Tohoku University’s Institute for Multidisciplinary Materials Science to develop a method for manufacturing transparent conductive films.
Click to enlarge
Results Announcement/Internal Evaluation
Academic Conferences/Academic Papers
We also actively present the results of our research and development outside the company, such as at academic conferences and in academic papers. Results that have received particularly high praise externally are summarized and published as a technical report, known as the Nikon Research Report. In addition to presenting results, our engineers are active in a wide range of settings, serving as committee members involved in the planning and operation of external organizations such as academic societies and industrial associations, and as visiting professors at universities.
Internal Evaluation and initiatives
Fellow System: We have implemented a fellow system to certify engineers with world-class expertise and deep insight as fellows. We advance cutting-edge research and development, leading the industry with technology specialists who have earned high praise both internally and externally.
Nikon Technology Forum: As a platform for interaction among engineers within the Nikon Group, we hold a Technology Forum once a year. Over the course of two to three days, close to 100 topics submitted from across the company are presented. We gain new ideas and expand our knowledge through discussions with engineers from different fields.
Technical College: The aim of the College is not only to equip engineers with the fundamental skills necessary for Nikon's "monozukuri" (manufacturing), but also to systematically develop creative engineers with broad perspectives. Nikon provides an environment where engineers can choose to receive training in various technical fields through the college.
