Akira Matsumoto, Nikon Fellow

Mr. Akira Matsumoto joined Nikon in 1975. Assigned to the then Engineering Section, Glass Manufacturing Department, Sagamihara Plant, he started development of a glass used for radiation-shielding windows. For about three and a half years, from 1983, he was dispatched to the Research Development Corporation of Japan (today's Japan Science and Technology Agency), and dedicated himself to the study of amorphous chemical compounds and transparent magnetic thin films, amongst others. Following his return to Nikon, he worked on development of thin films including a variety of optical thin films. As the advancement of thin film technology is vital for IC stepper and scanner evolution, his work largely contributed to the miniaturizing of IC chips.

After becoming the General Manager of the Lens Production Department, Production Technology Headquarters, Core Technology Center, in 2003, he undertook reforming of the manufacturing division. Following this, in 2008, he was appointed as the Division Manager of the Glass Division, and supervised the development of ever-larger LCD photomask substrates. He became a Nikon Fellow in 2009.