Welcome to Radiation Detection and Experimental
Astrophysics
Introduction to our research
- Research of cosmic ray modulation of the past in use of C14
We are investigating time variations of cosmic rays in the past
by measuring C14 concentration record in each tree ring of an old ceder.
The cosmogenic isotopes such as C14 are produced by nuclear
reaction between galactic cosmic rays and atoms in the atmosphere. Since the cosmic rays coming to the earth are affected by the magnetic
fields of the solar system, the concentration of C14 in the atmosphere is modulated by the variation of solar activities.
From the C14 measurements, we can study about the source of cosmic rays, the solar system, and the environment of the earth
in the past.
- Development of X-ray imaging polarimeters
X-ray astronomy has much advanced through the observation due to
energy, timing, and image.
The detection of polarization is the last key.
However, there are no detectors with high sensitivity for detection
of the polarization. So we are developing X-ray polarimeters
by utilizing capillary plate and micro-strip with a function of X-ray
imaging.
- CANGAROO Project
CANGAROO, an acronym for Collaboration of Australia and Nippon (Japan) for a GAmma Ray Observatory in
the Outback, is an international collaboration for the Gamma-ray Astrophysics, aiming to study the existence and
properties of very high energy gamma rays from celestial objects in the southern sky by using two imaging
atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes at Woomera, Australia.
We join the collaboration. If you want to know the detail,
please jump
this homepage
- Research for basic characteristics of Imaging Plate and its application to cosmic ray detector
The measurements on the abundance of ultra-heavy cosmic rays
give us valuable information about the origin of cosmic rays.
Therefore much effort has been made to measure the abundance of ultra-heavy cosmic rays all over the world.
However the abundance of ultra-heavy particles with atomic number above 84 has not been clarified yet, because the fluxes are very low
and hence detectors with both very large effective area and wide field of view are required. From such thrust, we are developing an
ultra-heavy particle detector with both large effective area and
wide field of view using an Imagin Plate (IP).
Contents of education
We have several classes for graduate students.
In main, we teach methods of radiation detection and
basic astrophysics.
Now, there are nine graduate students in our group.
They are studying the contents described above.
Introduction of our staff
Now there are three staff of Professor Dr. Sakurai,
Professor Dr. Gunji, and Assistant Professor Dr. Tokanai
in our group.