I'm sure you will find something that you are willing to spend your youth on.

People

Ryoko KINO

1.What kind of the research are you doing?

I am conducting experimental research into the "strong force (strong interaction)" that operates within matter. This force is one of the four fundamental forces that make up the universe. It is the nuclear force that acts between protons and neutrons to stabilize nuclei. Without this force, our bodies and the matter around us would not exist.
The strong force has many unknown aspects compared to the other three forces (gravity, electromagnetic force, and weak force). Modern nuclear physics is not only about studying the nuclei themselves, but about understanding the physics of many-body systems, such as how a large number of nucleons behave when gathered together and how the forces act between them. It is very complicated, and that is why I find it so interesting.
To unravel this strong interaction, I am investigating the properties of special nuclei called "hypernuclei." These are nuclei that contain particles (such as Lambda particles) that include "strange quarks" that are not found in nature, in addition to ordinary protons and neutrons. By studying these hypernuclei, I hope to extend what is currently understood about the strong force between nucleons to the barionic force (force acting between many-body systems including quarks), and to elucidate the essential mechanisms of the forces that shape matter, as well as the workings of extreme objects in the universe known as neutron stars.

2.What is the reason for starting your study?

While studying at the Department of Physics, I was strongly attracted to the great goal of physics, "unification of the four fundamental forces," and felt a sense of romance. Wanting to contribute to this grand theme, I wanted to be involved in basic research that would help understand the four forces, no matter what the approach. As I looked at the introductions to various laboratories, I felt that research on hypernuclei was very attractive as an approach to understanding the strong force. In addition to my interest in physics, I had wanted to gain experience in international research overseas since I was an undergraduate student, and I also had a strong interest in learning engineering skills (programming, electronic circuit design, etc.). My encounter with my current laboratory, which could fulfill all these desires, was the trigger for me to start my current research.

3.Message for prospective students

Before I found my current research field, I took many detours. I hadn't decided exactly what I wanted to do in the future, so I tried everything that seemed even slightly possible. I took the entrance exam for an engineering school, tried studying abroad, took classes to get a teaching license, attended entrepreneur seminars, etc. I happened to come across my current research field in the midst of all of this. Now I can confidently say that this is the kind of study and research I want to do because I have seen and experienced other worlds.
University is a place where you can try many different things, and you have plenty of time. If you are currently worried about what you want to do in the future, I recommend that you try anything that interests you even a little. I'm sure you will find something that you are willing to spend your youth on.

TOPNext