Education
At the Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Advanced Institute for Materials Science, Particle Physics and Nuclear Physics Course, the Detector Development Group is involved in the development of cutting-edge particle beam detectors that are essential for current and future experimental projects in fields related to particle physics and nuclear research, such as particle physics experiments and cosmic ray observations. Specifically, we collaborate with other research groups in the Particle Physics and Nuclear Physics Course, as well as domestic and international research institutions, in advancing the development of superconducting magnets and their cooling systems, ultra-low temperature cooling devices for detectors and electronics used in extreme low-temperature environments, new detection materials, advanced nano-semiconductor processes, high-density integration technologies, high-speed data processing and networking, ultra-low temperature electronics, optical sensors, and semiconductor detectors. We are also working on research to improve the performance of the detector development test beamline, which is essential for evaluating the performance of the developed detectors. From the perspective of manufacturing detectors and electronics, if you are interested in advancing experimental research in particle physics or related fields, let’s conduct research togethe!
Research Topics
Advanced Measurement Systems Research
In fields such as particle and nuclear physics experiments and cosmic ray observations, there is a need for original measurement systems that can visualize particles smaller than atoms or molecules, which cannot even be seen using devices like electron microscopes. At KEK, we develop advanced measurement systems by utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as semiconductor high-integration circuit processes, new sensors, high-speed information processing, and networking. The technologies and systems developed here are applied not only to particle physics experiments but also to a wide range of research, including other accelerator science and fields such as space and astronomy.
Superconductivity and Ultra-Low Temperature Technologies
Development is underway for superconducting magnets that provide a wide and homogeneous high magnetic field space for particle identification detectors. In particular, research is being conducted on aluminum-stabilized superconducting wires necessary for large superconducting thin-walled solenoids required for next-generation collider experiments. The use of superconducting phenomena in detectors and quantum devices is expected to expand, but these require even lower temperatures (ultra-low temperatures) than regular liquid helium. Efforts are being made to develop cryocoolers that generate the ultra-low temperature environment suitable for cooling detectors and devices.
Development of Detectors for Next-Generation Colliders
Research is being advanced with the next-generation collider experiments, including the Higgs Factory and a collider with a center-of-mass energy of 100 TeV. The goal is to discover physics beyond the Standard Model through precise measurements of the Higgs boson and direct searches for new particles. The performance required for detectors and the development of new analytical approaches are also subjects of research. In detector development, progress is being made on the Monolithic Active Pixel Sensor (MAPS), where semiconductor sensors and readout circuits are integrated using CMOS technology. Research is focused on pixel structure design, readout circuit design, prototype production, and evaluating particle measurement performance using test beams.
