On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the Bruker–Nanophoton Raman-IR Imaging Center officially opened its doors in Toranomon, Tokyo. The newly renovated and expanded center—formerly Nanophoton’s Tokyo showroom—now features a selection of Raman and IR microscopes. Visitors can experience both technologies firsthand and explore their applications across various material types. It is probably the only center worldwide where both Raman and infrared microscopes are available for advanced materials testing.

At the opening event, welcome remarks were given by Andreas Kamlowski, President of Bruker Optics; myself, CSO and founder of Nanophoton; Christian Werner, Vice President of Global Sales at Bruker Optics; and Shigeru Shimada, Head of Bruker Japan’s Optics Division. This was followed by presentations from Taikan Minamoto, Sales Manager at Nanophoton, who introduced Nanophoton’s Raman microscopes, and from Shimada, who presented Bruker’s IR microscopes and their distinguishing features. Live demonstrations were also held, and the event concluded with a casual reception, allowing attendees to connect and build new networks in the Raman and IR communities.

This unique Imaging Center is made possible by the merger of Nanophoton and Bruker—two companies that have each led the field in Raman and infrared microscopy, respectively.

In my background in science, the greatest barrier to progress is the wall that separates academic disciplines. The divisions between physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics—or even between electrical, mechanical, and materials engineering—serve only to hinder innovation. Now is the time to break down those walls and work toward a higher, more integrated vision for the future of science. Michael Gibbons described this shift as a move to “Mode 2” science, characterized not by interdisciplinary (which is already outdated), but by transdisciplinary collaboration.
Likewise, in organizations, bureaucratic silos can stifle growth. I believe Nanophoton may be called upon to act as a kind of “dynamite” to break down these walls.

A corporate merger is much like a marriage. It begins with both parties respecting each other’s individuality—their personalities, interests, current roles, and past experiences. While Nanophoton is now legally part of Bruker, the Nanophoton brand, logo, and product names remain unchanged, as agreed upon during the M&A. You could say it’s a partnership with separate surnames.

To symbolize this union, we’ve added a Bruker-blue line to our signature all-white product design—a subtle but meaningful expression of our new identity.

We hope this integration and the opening of the Raman-IR Imaging Center will be welcomed not only by our team but also by the wider scientific community. We look forward to what lies ahead in the collaboration between Nanophoton and Bruker Optics.

Satoshi Kawata
Founder of Nanophoton, CSO, and Head of CoE,
Nanophoton – a Bruker Company