Phase I（1957〜）

The Institute for Solid State Physics (ISSP) of the University of Tokyo was established on April 1 in 1957 as a joint research laboratory based upon the recommendation of the Science Council of Japan and the concurrence between the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture and the Science and Technology Agency in order to carry on basic research in condensed matter physics. Within the first 15 to 20 years, ISSP had achieved its original mission, that is to serve as the central laboratory of materials science in Japan equipped with state-of-art facilities that were open for all domestic researches in order to bring the research in Japan up to par with the international level.

Phase Ⅱ（1980〜）

The next goal was set to develop advanced experimental techniques that were difficult to achieve in most university laboratories. The reorganization of ISSP into the " second generation " took place in 1980. Division of Physics in Extreme Conditions included groups in the areas of ultra-high magnetic field, laser physics, surface science, ultra-low temperature and very high pressure. It aimed to create extreme conditions and to explore new phenomena. Neutron Scattering Laboratory was constructed in Tokai in collaboration with the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. Its capability was significantly improved during 1990 - 1992 due to renovation of the research reactor. Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory operated the SOR-RING in the Tanashi Campus of the University of Tokyo and maintained beam lines in the Photon Factory at the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) in Tsukuba. Besides activities using such big facilities, the Condensed Matter Division and the Theory Division maintained small groups motivated by individual interests and ideas. Among these groups was formed Materials Development Division in 1989 aiming at exploring new materials and their novel properties.

Phase Ⅲ（1996〜）

16 years after the reorganization, another major reorganization of ISSP into the "third generation" took place in 1996, in order to pursue new frontiers beyond the traditional disciplines and become an international center of materials science. One example is to explore new phenomena in combined environments of various extreme conditions, since individual technologies for high magnetic field, low temperature and high pressure had reached certain maturity during the "second generation". Another example is the study of artificially designed materials such as thin films, materials fabricated on surfaces and mesoscopic systems with nanoscale structure. Focused efforts are also planned on synthesis and characterization of new materials with the aid of computational physics, which allows us to design and predict properties of new materials. In order to reflect these developments, former research divisions were reorganized into five research divisions (New Materials Science, Condensed Matter Theory, Frontier Areas, Physics in Extreme Conditions, and Advanced Spectroscopy) and three research facilities (Synchrotron Radiation, Neutron Scattering, and Materials Design and Characterization Laboratories). In addition, a visiting staff division as well as two foreign visiting professor positions were created.

ISSP was relocated to the new campus in Kashiwa of the University of Tokyo in March 2000 after the 40 years of activities at the Roppongi campus in downtown Tokyo. Here ISSP is aiming at creating new areas of science in collaboration with other institutions in Kashiwa. In 2003, Neutron Scattering Laboratory was reorganized to Neutron Science Laboratory. The University of Tokyo was transformed into a national university corporation in 2004 and thus ISSP is expected to play new roles as a joint research Laboratory in the university corporation. In the same year, Division of Frontier Areas Research changed its name to Division of Nanoscale Science. In 2006, the ISSP established International MegaGauss Science Laboratory and started serving as an international center of physics in high magnetic fields. In 2011, Center of Computational Materials Science was established in the ISSP, for promoting materials science with advanced supercomputers. Regarding Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, after the closing of the SOR-RING in 1997, Harima branch of Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory was established at SPring-8 in 2009. Furthermore, Division of Advanced Spectroscopy and Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory were reorganized in 2012 into the newly established Laser and Synchrotron Research Center. In 2016, Divisions of New Materials Science and Physics in Extreme Conditions were reorganized into Division of Condensed Matter Science, and Functional Materials Group and Quantum Materials Group were launched in order to widen the scope of condensed matter science, as a new step forward in the interdisciplinary research field. Division of Data-Integrated Materials Science was established in 2019 as the first Social Cooperation Program in ISSP with the progress of collaborative Research with industry.

Phase Ⅳ（2026〜）

In 2026, ISSP underwent its third comprehensive reorganization, marking the transition to its fourth generation. Thirty years have passed since the previous major restructuring in 1996. In response to profound shifts in the landscape of condensed matter science, substantial organizational reform became necessary to position ISSP for the next era of scientific advancement.

Most notably, reflecting rapid progress in nanofabrication technologies and the expanding frontiers of quantum materials research, the Division of Nanoscale Science and a part of the Quantum Materials Group were integrated to establish the new Nanoscale Quantum Science Center. The Laboratory of Nanoscale Quantum Materials, established in 2022, was reorganized under this center as the Nanofabrication Section.

In addition, the former Division of Condensed Matter Physics (excluding the Division of Condensed Matter Theory), the Division of Nanoscale Science, the Quantum Materials Group, and the Functional Materials Group were consolidated to form two new divisions: the Division of Advanced Measurements and the Division of Diverse Condensed Matter Science.

The Division of Advanced Measurements brings together researchers specializing in the development of cutting-edge measurement techniques and instrumentation—which has long been a core strength of ISSP. By unifying these experts, including affiliated members from various facilities and centers, the division aims to pioneer next-generation measurement methodologies and devices, thereby driving innovation at the forefront of condensed matter research and contributing to the evolution of fundamental science.

The Division of Diverse Condensed Matter Science expands the scope of condensed matter research beyond traditional bulk materials to encompass surfaces and interfaces, soft matter, biological materials and systems, and microfabricated samples. By investigating the rich and varied properties emerging from these diverse material systems, the division seeks to lead the next generation of materials science.

The Neutron Science Laboratory, the International MegaGauss Science Laboratory, and the Laser and Synchrotron Research Center all remain in place. Meanwhile, the Materials Design and Characterization Laboratory (MDCL) and the Center for Computational Materials Science (CCMS) were reorganized into two new entities: the Center for New Materials Research and the Numerical Materials Research Laboratory (NML).

The MDCL was originally founded three decades ago on the innovative concept of integrating materials development with design using supercomputing. As this approach has since become standard practice within the field, the institute concluded that its original mission had been fulfilled. In the spirit of creative destruction, it subsequently reconfigured MDCL into new, forward-looking entities.

The Materials Development Group at MDCL has been established as the independent Center for New Materials Research. While maintaining close collaboration with computational physics, the new center strengthens its role as a national and international hub for advanced materials development. The MDCL's Computational Physics Group was then integrated with the CCMS to form a consolidated base for NML. Incorporating recent advances in data science, this new structure enhances the strategic and efficient utilization of supercomputing resources.

To respond to the evolving needs of society and the condensed matter community, ISSP has also established new collaborative and endowed research divisions: the Division of Data-Integrated Materials Science and the Division of Nanomaterials Imaging Research under the Social Collaboration Research framework, and the Division of Visualize CPS as an endowed research unit.

Through this comprehensive reorganization, the fourth generation of ISSP is positioned not only to respond to ongoing transformations in materials science and to meet the expectations of the scientific community, but also to lead future advances in the field.