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National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)


World record: 450 Tb/s transmission over a metropolitan link using legacy optical fiber

Researchers have demonstrated a record-breaking 450 terabits per second optical transmission over a field-deployed legacy fiber in London, UK. The achievement uses new optical-amplifier technologies to support ultra-wideband signals, exceeding previous records and unlocking previously untapped capacity in standard optical fibers.

Demonstration of massive connectivity for the 6G era

Researchers at NICT successfully demonstrated simultaneous communications with 10 devices using a hybrid signal processing method combining quantum annealing and classical computing. This breakthrough addresses the massive connectivity requirements of 6G networks, enabling real-time detection for up to 60,000 possible signal combinations.

World's first successful 2 Tbit/s free-space optical communication using small optical terminals mountable on satellites and HAPS

NICT successfully demonstrated 2 Tbit/s free-space optical communication between two types of small portable optical terminals separated by 7.4 km in an urban environment with atmospheric turbulence, marking a major step forward in the practical application of Non-Terrestrial Networks for Beyond 5G/6G.

Novel transmission technique enables world record 430 Tb/s in a commercially available, international-standard-compliant optical fiber

Researchers have demonstrated a record-breaking 430 terabits per second (Tb/s) optical transmission using a novel approach that triples the capacity of standard-compliant cutoff-shifted optical fibers. The technology offers high throughput with reduced complexity, while utilizing existing optical fiber infrastructure.

World’s first demonstration of entanglement swapping using sum-frequency generation between single photons

Researchers successfully demonstrated entanglement swapping using sum-frequency generation between single photons with a high signal-to-noise ratio. This achievement is expected to contribute to the miniaturization and efficiency improvement of photonic quantum information processing circuit, as well as the extension of transmission di...

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 6, 2025

Successful ground-to-satellite laser communications applying next-generation error correction codes, mitigating atmospheric turbulence

Researchers have successfully demonstrated next-generation error correction codes to mitigate the impact of atmospheric turbulence on ground-to-satellite laser communications. The new codes significantly improved communication quality compared to conventional schemes, enabling practical implementation of ground-to-satellite laser links.

World's first practical surface-emitting laser for optical fiber communications developed: advancing miniaturization, energy efficiency, and cost reduction of light sources

Researchers developed world's first practical surface-emitting laser using quantum dots, advancing miniaturization and energy efficiency of light sources. The innovation enables high-performance, scalable structures and cost reductions through mass production.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2025

World record achieved in transmission capacity and distance: With 19-core optical fiber with standard cladding diameter 1,808 km transmission of 1.02 petabits per second

A new world record has been set for petabit-class transmission over a distance of 1,808 km using a 19-core optical fiber with low loss across multiple wavelength bands. The demonstration marks a major step forward in developing scalable, high-capacity networks and addressing the world's growing demand for data.

VR flight experience reduces fear of heights by action-based prediction of safety

A VR flight experience has been shown to reduce both physiological and subjective fear responses to heights. The degree of fear reduction correlates with the extent to which participants felt they could transition to a safe state through self-initiated actions.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 14, 2025

Uncovering the brain’s flexible mechanisms for representing diverse numbers

Researchers found that brain areas respond to relative quantity rather than absolute quantity, with representations becoming more pronounced along the pathway from parietal to frontal lobe. This flexible nature of numerical quantity processing advances our understanding of how the brain handles other magnitude concepts like time and size.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2025

Developed a 21-language, fast and high-fidelity neural text-to-speech technology that works on smartphones

A novel, fast and high-quality neural text-to-speech model was successfully developed using a Transformer encoder + ConvNeXt decoder and MS-FC-HiFi-GAN. The model can synthesize one second of speech at high speed in just 0.1 seconds using a single CPU core, achieving eight times faster synthesis than conventional methods.

World record 402 Tb/s transmission in a standard commercially available optical fiber

A team at NICT set a new world record for data-rate transmission in a standard optical fiber, reaching 402 Tb/s and increasing the aggregate bandwidth to 37.6 THz. The demonstration used novel technologies to access new wavelength regions, enabling future optical communication infrastructure to meet growing demands.

Developed compiler acceleration technology for quantum computers

Researchers developed a probabilistic approach to generate optimal sequences for execution on quantum computers, reducing search time by several orders of magnitude. The new method enables efficient searches within classical computational resources, contributing to the realization of the quantum Internet and improved performance.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalPhysical Review A·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 9, 2024

World’s first demonstration of terahertz signal transparent relay and switching

Researchers developed a system to transmit high-capacity terahertz-wave signals to different locations using direct terahertz-optical conversion and fiber-wireless technology, achieving 32 Gb/s capacity. The system overcomes radio communications limitations in the terahertz band, expanding communication coverage.

World’s first standard cladding diameter 19-core optical fiber with record transmission capacity

Researchers have created a 19-core optical fiber with a standard cladding diameter, achieving a record transmission capacity of 1.7 petabits per second over 63.5 km. This design uses randomly coupled multi-core fibers and MIMO digital signal processing to minimize power consumption.

World's first demonstration of optical transmission and switching of 15-mode multiplexed signals on a field-deployed multi-mode fiber network

Scientists successfully transmit and switch 15-mode multiplexed signals over a 6.1 km long multi-mode fiber ring in Italy, demonstrating a new approach to increasing fiber network capacity. This achievement is significant for future communication systems beyond 5G.

New method to systematically find optimal quantum operation sequences for quantum computers developed

Researchers at NICT have developed a new systematic method to identify the optimal quantum operation sequence, enabling efficient task execution and contributing to improving quantum computer performance and reducing environmental impact. The method uses GRAPE algorithm to analyze all possible sequences of elementary quantum operations.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalPhysical Review A·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 2, 2022

Demonstration of a highly efficient modulator using the organic electro-optic polymer for visible light

Researchers at NICT developed an organic electro-optic polymer for visible light, significantly improving efficiency and miniaturization. The new modulator has lower absorption loss and higher electro-optic coefficient in visible light compared to conventional optical modulators.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

World’s first transparent fiber–millimeter-wave–fiber system in 100-GHz band using low-loss optical modulator and direct photonic down-conversion

Researchers developed the first transparent fiber–millimeter-wave–fiber system in the 100-GHz band using a low-loss broadband optical modulator with direct photonic down-conversion. The system successfully demonstrated high-speed transmission of over 70 Gbit/s over a wired and wireless converged system.

A Highly-Accurate and Broadband Terahertz Counter Eyes "Beyond 5G / 6G"

The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology has developed a highly-accurate and wide-measurable band terahertz frequency counter. The counter's measurement uncertainty is less than 1 x 10^-16, making it suitable for various applications including high-resolution spectroscopy of ultracold molecules.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalMetrologia·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2021

Stabilization technology for wireless communications for manufacturing systems

Researchers at NICT and TOYOTA have successfully implemented stabilization technology for wireless communications in manufacturing systems. This technology allows for real-time visualization of the wireless environment and coordinated control of different systems, detecting unregistered terminals and suppressing radio congestion. The s...

High-speed holographic fluorescence microscopy system with submicron resolution

A new scanless high-speed holographic fluorescence microscopy system has been developed with submicron resolution, enabling 3D sensing of nanoparticles and color-multiplexed holographic fluorescence imaging. The system achieves measurements in less than 1 millisecond using digital holography and a phase modulator.

World's first transmission of 1 Petabit/s using a single-core multimode optical fiber

Researchers demonstrated the world's first transmission exceeding 1 petabit per second in a single-core multi-mode optical fiber, increasing the current record data rate by more than 2.5 times. This achievement showcases the potential of single-core multimode fibers for high-capacity transmission using standard manufacturing processes.

Signals from distant stars connect optical atomic clocks across Earth for the first time

Researchers have successfully connected two optical atomic clocks in Italy and Japan, separated by 8700 km, using radio telescopes observing distant stars. This achievement could provide a global infrastructure for high-precision timekeeping and unlock new possibilities for studying fundamental physics and general relativity.

Demonstration of world record transmission capacity over a 38-core 3-mode optical fiber

Researchers have successfully demonstrated a world record transmission capacity of 10.66 peta-bit per second over a 38-core 3-mode optical fiber, achieving a spectral efficiency of 1158.7 bits per second per Hz. This breakthrough enables a drastic increase in data-rate per fiber for intra- and inter data-center communication.

Brain stimulation prevents anxiety-induced decrease in motor performances

Researchers discover a new neural mechanism involving the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex that explains how anxiety deteriorates physical performance. Transcranial magnetic stimulation to this region rescues performance deterioration, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for athletes and musicians.

Development of world's first vertical Ga2O3 transistor through ion implantation doping

The development of a vertical Ga2O3 metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor enables higher current drives without enlarging chip size, simplified thermal management, and improved field termination. The device shows decent electrical properties, paving the way for new generations of low-cost power electronic devices.

White matter pathway and individual variability in human stereoacuity

A study found that neural tissue density in a specific white matter pathway, the vertical occipital fasciculus (VOF), correlates with individual differences in stereoacuity. The VOF connects key visual areas involved in stereopsis and is crucial for understanding its neural basis.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 19, 2018