Japan’s KEK Laboratory Probes Universe’s Origins with Powerful Particle Accelerator
TSUKUBA, JAPAN – November 28, 2025 – Scientists at Japan’s High Energy Accelerator Research Institution (KEK) are utilizing cutting-edge particle accelerator technology to unravel the mysteries of the universe, including conditions immediately following the Big Bang and the imbalance between matter and antimatter. Located in Tsukuba, KEK operates as a gigantic “super laboratory” employing particle beams traveling at near light speed to explore the fundamental building blocks of reality.
KEK’s research centers around powerful machines – particle accelerators – that propel electrons and protons at incredible velocities. These accelerated particles, guided by strong magnets, emit synchrotron radiation, a highly intense light source enabling detailed observation of materials at the atomic and subatomic levels. This allows researchers to analyze everything from the structure of proteins and crystals to the composition of materials used in advanced batteries and new medicines.
Beyond material science, KEK’s experiments involve colliding particles to break them down into even smaller components like quarks and leptons. By studying these fundamental particles, scientists aim to understand the formation of matter, the state of the universe after the Big Bang, and the reason matter prevails over antimatter – a crucial factor for the existence of planets, stars, and life itself.
KEK collaborates with J-Parc, another major Japanese laboratory, to produce particles such as muons, neutrons, and neutrinos. Neutrons are used for non-destructive material inquiry, muons function as a powerful form of x-ray imaging, and neutrinos provide insights into the fundamental forces governing the universe.
One of KEK’s flagship projects, Belle 2, utilizes a massive detector connected to the SuperKekb accelerator. This project focuses on studying B mesons to investigate why the universe is dominated by matter rather than being annihilated by antimatter.
Along with its research endeavors, KEK fosters the next generation of scientists through Sodenkai, a linked postgraduate university.Thousands of researchers from Japan and around the globe travel to KEK annually to conduct experiments requiring its unique facilities.
KEK’s overarching mission is to deepen our understanding of the universe, from its smallest particles to its largest structures, and to translate this knowledge into technologies that benefit society, protect the surroundings, and improve quality of life.
