On September 30th, Akira Konaka, group leader of the particle physics group and of the Ultra Cold Neutron (UCN) project at TRIUMF, was appointed as an Invited Professor at Osaka University in Japan. It is part of a program by Osaka University to promote international research collaboration.
This new position strengthens the research collaboration that already exists between TRIUMF and Japan. Akira is an original member of the T2K project (a 295 km long neutrino experiment in Japan) and leader of the Canadian collaboration in this experiment. Currently, Akira has been working in collaboration with Osaka University to develop the world's highest density Ultra Cold Neutron beam at TRIUMF.
This UCN project takes neutrons and cools them down to only a few thousandths of a degree above absolute zero so that they travel slowly enough for scientists to do very high precision experiments on them. The aim is to understand properties of these particles and of fundamental forces such as gravity.
The UCN source, which is currently being assembled at Osaka, will be installed at TRIUMF upon its completion. Akira's new position will further enable him to work on completing the preparation for the experiment as well as strengthening TRIUMF's ties to the Japanese university. Akira will also now have the assistance of Osaka University post docs to help him with the experiment, and the opportunity to share his work with students in Japan.
This appointment will enhance the collaboration that exists between TRIUMF and our Japanese colleagues and provides new opportunities for Akira to do research as well as share his expertise with others.
Congratulations Akira on your new appointment!
-- By Gabe Baron, Outreach Assistant