Photonic Science Technology, Inc. (Japan)

Photonic Science Technology, Inc. (PSTI) is a Japanese photonics manufacturer headquartered in Chitose, Hokkaido. It was founded on January 11, 2000 as a venture company originating from Chitose Institute of Science and Technology, with initial capital of 10 million yen. The company's founding philosophy was to collaborate with the university and local government to build an international photonics hub — a 'Photonics Valley' — around New Chitose Airport, and to lead product development and manufacturing using the university's optical technology seeds. Soichi Kobayashi became the first representative director. PSTI specializes in optical fiber materials, glass processing, optical fibers, optical devices, and manufacturing equipment. Its product range includes custom-made optical fibers, microlenses, silica rods for high-power connectors, power combiners, and fiber arrays. The company also develops and sells optical fiber drawing equipment and high-power beam profilers. Its high-power beam profiler uses a proprietary fluorescence imaging technique (FIT method) that can measure light intensities up to kW/cm² without attenuation. PSTI describes itself as the only domestic manufacturer in Japan that consistently handles everything from glass materials to optical devices and processing equipment. The company has grown organically and remains privately held. Its capital was increased to 22.3 million yen in October 2003. It has obtained patents for optical waveguide manufacturing methods and optical arrays. Leadership has alternated between Soichi Kobayashi and Toshio Sakamoto, with Kobayashi returning as representative director in May 2019. In October 2022, a new drawing tower building was completed. As of its latest company information, PSTI employs 8 people and continues to operate from its Chitose headquarters, serving customers with custom photonics solutions.

Photonic Science Technology, Inc. (PSTI) was established on January 11, 2000, as a venture company from Chitose Institute of Science and Technology, with initial capital of 10 million yen. Its founding philosophy was to collaborate with the university and local government to build an international photonics hub — a 'Photonics Valley' — around New Chitose Airport, and to lead product development and manufacturing using the university's optical technology seeds. Soichi Kobayashi became the first representative director, and the headquarters was registered in Chitose. In April 2001, the headquarters moved to 1-3-1 Kashiwadai-minami, Chitose. In October 2003, the company increased its capital to 22.3 million yen. In September 2008, it obtained a patent for an optical waveguide manufacturing method (Patent No. 4187595). In November 2011, it obtained a patent for an optical array (Patent No. 4865585). In May 2012, Toshio Sakamoto became representative director. In April 2013, the headquarters moved to its current location at 776-16 Kitanoshino, Chitose. In March 2019, a book titled 'Challenges of Specialists' (authored by Yasuo Kawashima) featuring Sakamoto and others was published. In May 2019, Soichi Kobayashi returned as representative director. In October 2022, a new drawing tower building was completed. Throughout its history, PSTI has focused on optical fiber manufacturing and sales, as well as unique optical devices applying its proprietary microfabrication technology. It describes itself as the only domestic manufacturer in Japan that consistently handles everything from glass materials to optical devices and processing equipment. The company remains privately held with capital of 22.3 million yen and 8 employees.

• Photonic Science Technology, Inc. founded as a venture from Chitose Institute of Science and Technology with capital of 10 million yen; headquarters registered in Chitose; Soichi Kobayashi appointed representative director.

• Headquarters relocated to 1-3-1 Kashiwadai-minami, Chitose.

• Capital increased to 22.3 million yen.

• Obtained patent for optical waveguide manufacturing method (Patent No. 4187595).

• Obtained patent for optical array (Patent No. 4865585).

• Toshio Sakamoto appointed representative director.

• Headquarters relocated to 776-16 Kitanoshino, Chitose.

• Book 'Challenges of Specialists' (authored by Yasuo Kawashima) featuring Toshio Sakamoto and others published.

• Soichi Kobayashi reappointed representative director.

• Drawing tower building completed.

The only domestic manufacturer in Japan consistently handling everything from glass materials to optical devices and processing equipment, offering custom-made photonics solutions.

• Custom optical fibers

  Designed, manufactured, and evaluated in-house, including original fiber fabrication.

• Microlenses

  Produced using glass processing technologies.

• Silica rods for high-power connectors

  Made from optical fiber preforms via VAD method and glass grinding.

• Power combiners

  Custom-made optical devices using fiber manufacturing and glass processing technologies.

• Fiber arrays

  Custom-made optical devices for various applications.

• Optical fiber drawing equipment

  Available in high-temperature and low-temperature furnace types for prototypes and mass production.

• High-power beam profiler

  Uses proprietary fluorescence imaging (FIT method) to measure up to kW/cm² without attenuation.

1. 1フォトニックサイエンステクノロジ株式会社psti7.com
2. 2会社情報 | フォトニックサイエンステクノロジ株式会社psti7.com
3. 3Photonic Science Technology, Inc. (Japan) - Wikidatawikidata.org