Corporate history and product development

1986

	ARGUS-100 (video microscopy system), Photo ICs and UV spot light sources were put on the market.
	Co-developed a method of cancer cell identification through tomography using a special camera with the Hamamatsu Medical Treatment Center. Obtained an Important Technology Research and Development Fund Grant from MITI for "Research into new interdevice connection technology utilizing the progressive wave function". Funded by the Research Development Corporation of Japan with "Research into high-resolution positron CT scanner".

1987

	Capital increased to 7 billion yen.
	Excimer lasers, fiber optic plates, and Hot Electron Analyzer system were put on the market.
	Experimental laser distance measurement between Shimizu and Izu (about 40km) began. Co-developed a precise atom position measurement system. Co-developed a laser chromosome dissection system. Funded by the Research Development Corporation of Japan with "Research into production technology for X-ray pick-up storage tubes".

1988

	Then Prince Akihito (present Emperor) visited Toyooka Factory. Affiliated companies established in the U.K. and Sweden. Joint company established in China.
	Highly functional photo ICs and image intensifiers for high sensitive TV camera were put on the market.
	Co-developed a neuro-computer. First Mind/ Brain International Conference held in Hamamatsu City. Funded by MITI with "Research into laser angioplasty system" under the National Research and Development Programs for Medical and Welfare Apparatus.

1989

	Tokyo Sales Office promoted to Tokyo Branch Office. Tsukuba Sales Office opened.
	Semiconductor UV sensors were put on the market.
	Co-developed a cancer diagnosis and treatment system using lasers with Tokyo Medical University. The Science and Technology Agency's National Institute of Radiological Sciences developed a linear body black degeneration diagnosis method using a positron CT scanner developed by Hamamatsu Photonics. Hamamatsu Photonics' sponsored course held at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine/ Japan. Funded by MITI with "Research into laser bone operation equipment" under the National Research and Development Programs for Medical and Welfare Apparatus.

1990

	Central Research Laboratory and Sendai Sales Office opened.
	Production of photomultiplier tubes began in China. Laser microprocessing devices developed. High-power xenon lamps were put on the market.
	Funded by MITI with "Research on Human Sensory Measurement Application Technology" under the Large-scale Project.

1991

	European Communication and Support Office established. Affiliated companies established in Italy and Spain. Merge the entire Sales Division of Koa Electronics Ind. Co., Ltd.
	Our framing streak camera was selected a "Good Design Product" by MITI. Picosecond fluorescence lifetime measurement systems were put on the market.
	Hamamatsu Photonics sponsored the chair of medical photonics at the University College London.

1992

	PET Center opened in Central Research Laboratory. Building for Business development bureau completed.
	X-ray electron microscopes, Chromosome dissectors, NIRO-500 (Near Infrared Oxygenation Monitor) were put on the market.
	Funded by MITI with "An optical tomographic imaging system" under the National Research and Development Programs for Medical and Welfare Apparatus and "Ultimate Manipulation of Atoms and Molecules" under the National Research and Development Programs for Industrial Science and Technology Frontier. Funded by Science and Technology Agency with "Research on the Development of Fundamental Technology of Nano-Biology" under the Special Coordination Funds for Promoting Science and Technology.

1993

	Material Research Center opened in Central Research Laboratory.
	uMetal package photomultiplier tubes, membrane potential measurement systems, parametric variable-wavelength lasers, metal halide lamps, and CCD area image sensors for photometry were put on the market.
	Funded by Research Development Corporation of Japan with "Yamamoto Quantum Fluctuation Project" under the Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology. Funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries with "National Project for Development of Biosensors in Food Industry".

1994

	Miyakoda Factory opened. Became a member of Federation of Economic Organizations.
	Near-infrared photomultiplier tubes and micro focus X-ray sources were put on the market.
	Funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries with "Development of Optical Measurement Technology for Micro-motion of Plants".

1995

	Construction of building for biological research completed in the research park.
	Excimer dye laser systems, photodiode arrays with amplifier, IC thin layer ablation systems and bone analyzers were put on the market.
	Funded by Research Development Corporation of Japan with "Research into production technology of infrared semiconductor laser with quantum well structure" under the Cooperative Technology Development and Technology Transfer Facilitation.

1996

	Company's stock registered on the second section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Construction of Positron Medical Center completed in the research park.
	Completed delivery of 11,200 20-inch photomultiplier tubes for Super Kamiokande. Digital Optical Field Pickup Units were put on the market.
	Funded by Japan Science and Technology Corporation for "Analysis of Genes Expressed in a Single Neurons of the Human Brain" under Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology.

1997

	Electron Tube Center obtained ISO-9000 certification.
	Photoionizers (electrostatic remover) were put on the market.
	Funded by Science and Technology Agency with "Development of High density Optical Pulse Generation and Advanced Material Control Techniques" under the Special Coordination Funds for Promoting Science and Technology, by MITI with "Advanced Photon Processing and Measurement Technology" under the National Research and Development Programs for Industrial Science and Technology Frontier, with "X-ray Fluorescence and Photoelectron Emission Microscope" under Advanced Technology Initiative for New Industry Creation.

1998

	Company's stock registered on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Solid State Division and Systems Division obtained ISO-9000 certification. Sports Photonics Laboratory opened. The Photon Fair '98 held.
	Tests were successfully conducted to increase the rice yield using semiconductor lasers. Optical wireless systems were introduced for in-house application. EB-CCD camera were put on the market.
	Funded by MITI with "Genome Informatics Technology Development" under the National Research and Development Programs for Industrial Science and Technology Frontiers. Development of the "LD array power laser" by the Science and Technology Promotion Foundation began.

1999

	Photochemical Co., Ltd. established.
	"Body Line Scanner" and "Aquacosmos" were put on the market.Solid-state Si sensor used by Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire (CERN).
	Funded by MITI with "Microangiographic System Using Quasimonochromatic X-ray Radiation" under the National Research and Development Programs for Medical and Welfare Apparatus.

2000

	Building 15 of Toyooka Factory acquired from Yamaha Corp. (currently Mitsue Factory) as an assembly and mass production factory for opto-semiconductors. Industrial development base acquired in Kurematsu, Hamamatsu City, where basic planning is underway to realize the concept of a "Photonics Industry Development Graduate School", where new industries based on light will be developed. Planning is also underway for a New Industry Development Laboratory, where the results of the Graduate School will be put into practical application. The base is temporarily being called the Industrial Development Laboratory.
	FDSS6000 fluorescent drug screening system and Calibrated Xenon Light Source were put on the market.
	The development of a high-power semiconductor laser system by the Opto-Science and Industry Development Group affiliated with Hamamatsu Photonics is designated a local concentrated collaborative research endeavor by the Science and Technology Agency.