I used to see special effect movies when I was a child. A “physicist”, who developed weapons and tactics to defeat villains, often appeared in these movies. I yearned to become such a “physicist”. After becoming a real physicist, I investigate various properties of condensed matters based on quantum and statistical mechanics.

An electron in an insulator behaves as a tiny magnet (spin). These spins interact with each other. For example, when the local interaction between two spins favors a pair of parallel spins (Fig.1A), all the spins are likely to be oriented in the same direction (ferromagnetism) and this spin structure is globally stabilized. When the locally and globally stable structures are incompatible with each other (Fig.1B), however, unexpected physical properties may be seen. We investigate novel magnetism caused by such “frustration“ based on quantum statistical mechanics. Theoretical calculations of inelastic light or neutron scattering in the frustrated magnets may stimulate experimental observation. We also develop both numerical and analytical methods.

I like sports, especially soccer. I used to play soccer with my friends when I was a university student. Several teams joined us and private league matches were held. Now I get into road cycling. I often go cycling along a river and coast on sunny days. There are many recommended cycling courses in Hokkaido.