JEM-EUSO Mission to Explore Extreme Energy Universe

Summary

One of outstanding features of the Universe is spontaneous evolutions toward extreme conditions, including the formation of black holes from normal stars, and the production of extremely energetic cosmic rays. In order to investigate into these extreme phenomena that have important meanings in the contemporary physics, we carry out space observations of cosmic X-rays and gamma-rays, as well as those of extremely energetic particles using their air scintillation. In order to promote these ambitious projects, we tightly collaborate with relevant RIKEN technologies, including the high-accuracy fabrication of advanced optics, and the powerful solid-state lasers that enable adaptive optics observations and atmospheric monitoring.

Research Subjects

1. Promote researches of extreme cosmic phenomena, using the International Space Station (ISS)
2. Operate the MAXI (Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image) experiment, installed on the ISS in July 2009
3. Aiming at the 2nd generation mission, develop ultra-high-energy cosmic-ray experiment EUSO
4. To develop optics fabrication techniques and solid-state laser technology for space science
5. Promote bi-lateral and multi-lateral international cooperations including funding in each nation

Selected Publications

1. Nakajima, M., Mihara, T.. and Makishima, K., Energy-Dependent Harmonic Ratios of the Cyclotron Features of X0331+53 in the 2004-2005 Outburst, Astrophys. J. 710, 1755-1768 (2010)
2. Matsuoka, M., Kawasaki, K., Ueno, S., Tomida, H., Kohama, M., Suzuki, M., Adachi, Y., Ishikawa, M., Mihara, T., Sugizaki, M., Isobe, N., Nakagawa, Y., Tsunemi, H. et al., The MAXI Mission on the ISS: Science and Instruments for Monitoring All-Sky X-Ray Images, Publ. Astron. Soc. Japan 61, 999-1010 (2009)
3. Nakagawa, Y. E., Mihara, T., Yoshida, A., Yamaoka, K., Sugita, S., Murakami, T., Yonetoku, D., Suzuki, M., Nakajima, M., Tashiro, M. S., and Nakazawa, K., Suzaku Observations of SGR1900+14 and SGR1806‑20, Publ. Astron. Soc. Japan 61, SP1, S387-S393 (2009)
4. Ohmori, H., Maekawa, K., Hachisu Y., Katahira, K., Takizawa, Y., Takahashi, Y., and Young, R., for the JEM-EUSO collaboration, Ultraprecision Micro-machining of Diffractive Optics, ASPE, (2009)
5. Takahashi, Yoshiyuki and the JEM-EUSO Collaboration, The JEM-EUSO mission, New Journal of Physics, Volume 11, Issue 6, pp. 065009 (2009)
6. M. Yumoto, Y. Maeda, N. Saito, T. Ogawa, M. Yamashita, S. Wada, Multi-Wavelength Spectroscopic Application Using Rapid and Random Wavelength-Tuned Mid-Infrared Light Source., Japanese Journal of Applied Physics 49, 010209/1-3 (2010).
7. M. Yumoto, Y. Maeda, N. Saito, T. Ogawa, M. Yamashita, S. Wada, Wavelength Stabilization on Dual-Wavelength Oscillation in Electronically Tuned Ti:Al2O3 Laser., Applied Physics Express 3, 012701/1-3 (2010).
8. Y. Wang, K. Inoue, H. Kan, T. Ogawa, S. Wada, Study on thermally induced depolarization of a probe beam by considering the thermal lens effect., Journal of Physics D 42, 235108/1-10 (2009).
9. Y. Wang, K. Inoue, H. Kan, T. Ogawa, S. Wada, Birefringence compensation of two tandem-set Nd:YAG rods with different thermally induced features., Journal of Optics A 11, 125501/1-9 (2009).
10. O.A. Louchev, S. Wada, Numerical model and study of cascaded third harmonic generation in two-sectioned a periodically poled Mg-doped LiTaO3 structure., Journal of Applied Physics 108, 093106/1-5 (2009).

Member