Institute for Cosmic Ray Research

The Institute for Cosmic Ray Research (ICRR) of the University of Tokyo (東京大学宇宙線研究所 Tōkyōdaigaku Uchūsen Kenkyūsho) was established in 1976 for the study of cosmic rays.^[1]

The gravitational wave studies group is currently using the TAMA 300 gravitational wave detector located at the Mitaka campus of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. They are also developing the Large Scale Cryogenic Gravitational Wave Telescope (LCGT).^[2]

Facilities

• Kashiwa Campus at the University of Tokyo
• Akeno Observatory
• Kamioka Observatory
• Norikura Observatory

Current projects

• Super-Kamiokande - Detection of neutrinos and search for proton decays in a large water tank^[3]
• CANGAROO - Very-high-energy (VHE) cosmic gamma-ray observation by telescope. Located on the Woomera Prohibited Area in South Australia.^[4]
• Tibet - Search for point sources of VHE cosmic gamma rays at Tibet heights
• Telescope Array Project - Aiming at highest energy cosmic ray physics by detecting weak light from atmosphere^[5]
• Gravitational Wave Group - R & D for detection of unknown phenomena 'gravitational waves'
• SDSS - Making 3-D map of very distant galaxies with specific wide view telescopes as an international collaboration with Princeton University
• Theory Group - Theoretical studies for verifying Grand Unified Theory and early Universe
• Ashra (All-sky Survey High Resolution Air-shower detector) - The group has developed a new type of detector with wide angle high resolution aiming for monitoring optical and particle radiation from high-energy transient objects.^[6][7] Prototypes were installed on the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano at about 10,500 feet elevation in 2006 and 2007. Mauna Loa is located in the Big Island in the U.S. state of Hawaii.
• High Energy Astrophysics Group - Theoretical studies for pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, AGNs, acceleration mechanisms of particles etc.

References

1. ICRR / About ICRR
2. Kuroda, K.; et al. (April 2010). "Status of LCGT". Class. Quantum Grav. 27: 084004. Bibcode:2010CQGra..27h4004K. doi:10.1088/0264-9381/27/8/084004., free version available at "Status of LCGT" (PDF).
3. "Repairs on damaged neutrino detector to be completed in mid-April." Japan Science Scan 10 April 2006
4. "The CANGAROO Project" The University of Adelaide. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
5. "New Ground-Based Arrays to Probe Cosmic Powerhouses" By Dennis Normile Science 30 April 1999: 734-735
6. Sasaki, Makoto (May 2003), "Very High Energy Particle Astronomy with All-Sky Survey High Resolution Air-Shower Detector (ASHRA)", Progress of Theoretical Physics Supplement 151: 192–200, Bibcode:2003PThPS.151..192S, doi:10.1143/PTPS.151.192
7. Sasaki, Makoto; et al. (August 2005). "Status of the Ashra Project" (PDF). 29th International Cosmic Ray Conference. Pune, India: CERN. pp. 197–200.

External links

• Official website