Dr. Naoto Nagaosa stands as a distinguished leader in theoretical condensed matter physics with profound contributions to our understanding of electronic structures in solids. Born in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan in 1958, he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Tokyo in 1980 and earned his Doctor of Science degree from the same institution in 1986. Following a postdoctoral position at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he returned to Japan where he rose through the academic ranks at the University of Tokyo, becoming a full professor in 1998. Since 2013, he has served as Deputy Director of the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science while maintaining his concurrent position as Group Director of the Strong Correlation Theory Research Group.
Dr. Nagaosa's groundbreaking theoretical work has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of topological aspects in condensed matter systems, particularly through his pioneering research on magnetic skyrmions. In 2010, he was part of the RIKEN research team that achieved the first direct imaging of magnetic skyrmions, a discovery that opened new pathways for next-generation spintronic devices. His theoretical framework for understanding the behavior of skyrmions as they move through materials, including the energy calculations required for their creation and manipulation, has become foundational to the field. His influential research on emergent electromagnetism in condensed matter systems has provided critical insights into how complex electronic interactions give rise to novel physical phenomena that could revolutionize information technology.
As Program Director of the Fundamental Quantum Science Program at RIKEN, Dr. Nagaosa continues to drive innovative research at the intersection of topology and strongly correlated electron systems. He currently leads efforts to develop materials that can support stable skyrmions at room temperature, which would be essential for practical applications in memory and logic devices. His theoretical group actively investigates the dynamics of nanometer-sized skyrmions and develops sophisticated models to describe their temporal evolution under various conditions. Dr. Nagaosa's visionary work bridges fundamental physics with potential technological applications, positioning him at the forefront of research that could transform how we store and process information in future computing systems.
