Our group promotes experimental astroparticle physics through the following large-scale international collaborations and small-scale (small-group) research. If you would like to know more about our research, please contact
reseach staff
in our group.
RESEARCH AREAS
Research areas
Our work spans large international collaborations and focused detector, low-background, and simulation projects in astroparticle physics.
We are conducting data analysis of experimental data accumulated by the Super-Kamiokande detector, which is operating in Hida, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. In particular, we are promoting the following research topics.
Solar neutrino
Neutrino associated with astronomical phenomenon
(Multi-messenger astronomy, Supernova, Solar flare)
Cosmic-ray muons
Searches for new physics beyond the standard model of particle physics
Detector calibration and development of simulation
Through the observation of elementary particles (neutrinos and muons), we conduct research to reveal the history, evolution, and structure formation of the universe; the acceleration mechanism of cosmic rays; and motion inside planets, which is difficult to investigate optically. We are also promoting T2K experiments using artificial neutrino beams generated at J-PARC in Tokai-mura, Ibaraki Prefecture.
We are conducting research related to the Hyper-Kamiokande detector, which is scheduled for observational operation starting in 2028. Once the operation begins, we plan to further develop the research topics that were explored using the Super-Kamiokande detector.
In addition, research related to the preparation and construction of the IWCD, which will be one of the detectors for the T2HK experiment, is being carried out in cooperation with researchers at external institutes.
The COMET experiment is an experiment searching for the muon-electron (μ-e) conversion process, which is a charged lepton flavor non-conserving process, with the world's highest sensitivity. The discovery of such non-conserving process would suggest the existence of physics beyond the Standard Model of elementary particle physics.
We are conducting research for the COMET experiment's Phase-I, including the construction of detector components, software development, and background event estimation, and so on.
Detectors for neutrino observation and dark matter searches detect background events induced by radioactive impurities in overlap with the real signals of interaction. In particular, radioactive contamination is a major background events in such detectors operated in underground environments. The following basic research is being conducted in our group.
Analysis of radioactive impurities in the medium that is the target of the physical interaction of the detector
Analysis of radioactive impurities in detector components
Selection of materials for removal (adsorption) of radioactive impurities during purification process
▲ Detector development for future astrophysics experiments
We are developing small-scale detectors for neutrino observation with new detection technique and for new physics searches beyond the Standard Model of elementary particles. In particular, we are promoting research for future neutrino observations and dark matter searches with researchers from external research institutes.
Future solar neutrino and dark matter searches using fluorine
Development of new detector for low radioactivity measurement
Future neutrino-less double beta decay searches using Zirconium (ZICOS)
Future dark matter searches using ZnWO4 crystal
Development of a portable detector for cosmic-ray muon observation (OSECHI)
▲ Numerical simulation development
For future solar and atmospheric neutrino observations, it will be essential not only to observe neutrinos with large detectors but also to develop simulations with high prediction capability. We are developing the following simulations in cooperation with researchers at external research institutes.
Solar model construction and solar neutrino prediction
Super-Kamiokande/T2K
Hyper-Kamiokande/T2HK
COMET experiment
