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Bamba Lab
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The lab observes violent phenomena in the universe with X-rays and gamma rays, and also builds its own detectors.
AboutAbout the lab
Uncovering the physics hidden in hot, violent astronomical phenomena
The Bamba Lab uses observational data from a variety of telescopes, including X-ray astronomy satellites, to uncover the physics hidden in hot, violent astronomical phenomena.
In particular, the lab studies high-energy physical processes in supernova remnants and in compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars.
With future satellite missions in mind, the lab is also developing detectors that widen the observable energy range and offer excellent energy resolution and polarization measurement capability.
Key terms
- Supernova remnant
- An extended, hot plasma formed when the shock wave of a supernova explosion heats the interstellar medium
- Magnetar
- An object with an extreme magnetic field, even stronger than that of an ordinary neutron star
- Polarization
- A bias in the direction in which light oscillates. It provides clues to the structure of an object and the influence of magnetic fields
NewsLab news
A PhD student received the Best Research Presentation Award at an XRISM workshop for early-career researchers
A paper first-authored by Associate Professor Bamba has been accepted
A paper first-authored by a PhD student has been accepted
A paper first-authored by an Assistant Professor has been published in Nature
A paper first-authored by Associate Professor Bamba has been accepted by PASJ
ResearchResearch themes
Through observations of high-energy astrophysical objects, the lab continues research that seeks to understand a wide range of high-energy phenomena in the universe and to use that understanding to advance fundamental physics. For further observations in the future, it is also developing detectors to be mounted on X-ray astronomy satellites.
*Illustrative imageObservations of Compact Objects
The environments around black holes and neutron stars are full of high-energy phenomena governed by strong gravitational and magnetic fields. Using X-ray observations from satellites as its main tool, the lab aims for a unified understanding of the physical phenomena seen in black holes, accreting neutron star pulsars, and magnetars.
*Illustrative imageObservations of Supernova Remnants
Supernova remnants are hot plasmas formed when the shock waves of supernova explosions heat the interstellar medium. From the characteristic X-rays of the heavy elements they contain, the lab estimates what triggered the explosion, and from the plasma's temperature and ionization state, it investigates how accelerated particles are supplied as cosmic rays.
*Illustrative imageContributions to the XRISM Satellite
The XRISM satellite is a mission that studies the formation of cosmic structure, the cycling of matter, and energy transport, opening up new science through ultra-high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy. The lab contributes by generating science on extended objects within the Milky Way, such as supernova remnants and pulsar wind nebulae, and by developing a pile-up simulator.
*Illustrative imageDevelopment of a Hard X-ray Imaging Polarimeter
Observing cosmic polarization at energies higher than X-rays is a technological frontier of astronomy. Placing emphasis on polarization imaging of hard X-rays above 10 keV, the lab is developing a new X-ray polarimeter that combines a CMOS image sensor with coded aperture imaging.
MembersFaculty
The Bamba Lab consists of faculty members and students in the doctoral and master's programs.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorAya BambaPublications ↗
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Supernova Remnant SN 1006” X-ray: NASA/CXC/Rutgers/G.Cassam-Chenaï, J.Hughes et al.; Radio: NRAO/AUI/NSF/GBT/VLA/Dyer, Maddalena & Cornwell; Optical: Middlebury College/F.Winkler, NOAO/AURA/NSF/CTIO Schmidt & DSS / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Observations of Compact Objects: “Illustration of Wind from Accretion Disk Around a Black Hole (2004-h1413-more-3 - accretion reddisk diamond)” (Credit: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss) / Public domain (cropped)
- Observations of Supernova Remnants: “Keplers supernova” NASA/ESA/JHU/R.Sankrit & W.Blair / Public domain (cropped)
- Contributions to the XRISM Satellite: “Chandra X-Ray Observatory (noirlab2427c)” NASA/CXC & J.Vaughan / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Development of a Hard X-ray Imaging Polarimeter: “Coded aperture mask (for gamma camera)” none (contains no original authorship) / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Yamaguchi (Hiro) Lab): “Tycho-supernova-xray” NASA/CXC
（Smithsonian Institution 経由） / Public domain (cropped) - Related lab (Cherenkov Cosmic Gamma-ray Lab (CTA Group)): “Roque de los Muchachos - ORM - MAGIC I” H. Zell / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Sako Lab): “Cosmic Ray Station ( )” Alastair Rae from London, United Kingdom / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (High Energy Astrophysics Lab): “M87 jet” NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) / Public domain (cropped)
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