Laboratory Introduction (Department of Physical Sciences)
Department of Physical Sciences specializes in research fields such as the practical application of superconducting technology, observation and modeling of high-energy celestial bodies, single-molecule observation of biological molecules, and interactions between atomic states and electromagnetic waves. In the field of life sciences, which will become increasingly important in the future, we also focus on theory and numerical analysis. We also conduct research on earthquakes and friction phenomena as macroscopic physics. Historically, physics research methods were divided into theory and experiment. However, nowadays, with the development of simulation tools and the commercialization of a wide variety of experimental equipment, the boundaries are disappearing. The aim of education in Department of Physical Sciences is to learn both methods, from modeling as a theory to the physical principles of experimental equipment. Then, from the fourth year, students engage in scientific research. Specifically, in physical properties, we are researching the search for and practical application of superconducting materials, and in terms of mechanisms, we are researching the relationship with magnetism. In atomic physics, we focus on atoms and molecules, and we are researching the interactions of atoms with microwaves and visible light, and in biophysics, we are researching the understanding of life phenomena based on the interactions between polymers as a statistical group, from single-molecule observations by visualizing the movement of molecules within cells. In the study of friction and earthquakes, we use not only theoretical modeling but also realistic experimental models. In the field of astrophysics, we aim to elucidate astronomical phenomena such as black holes and supernova explosions, focusing on the development, observation, and analysis of high-energy measuring devices, especially x-rays and gamma rays. Recently, we have also been conducting simultaneous observations of gravitational waves and these electromagnetic waves and conducting theoretical research on them.
LABORATORY LIST Research themes and contents
RESEARCH THEMES Examples of student research topics
-
Fabrication of microjunction devices of iron chalcogenide superconductors and electrochemical control of IV characteristics
-
Development of intermediate superconducting layers for junctions of dissimilar high-temperature superconductors
-
Schwinger-boson mean field analysis of the SU(4) Heisenberg model
-
Microwave spectroscopy of the high-l Rydberg states of atomic strontium.
-
Study of earthquakes using velocity- and state-dependent friction law
-
Analysis of DNA behavior near nanopores
-
Analysis of the spatiotemporal structure of chromatin unfolding in the cell nucleus
-
High-speed single-molecule observation of a mutant of the neck region of kinesin-5 involved in cell division
-
Spectral evolution of the pulsar nebula and the supernova remnant SN1986J
-
Simultaneous observation and theoretical study of gamma-ray bursts and gravitational waves
-
System development for the search for gravitational wave-capable celestial bodies using TARGET