History of Indo-Japanese Collaboration in Cosmic Rays & Particle physics

1. History of Indo-Japanese Collaboration in Cosmic Rays & Particle physics • Prof. S.Miyake from Osaka City University visited TIFR in 1960. • Null experiment of MNR on the flux of cosmic ray muons deep underground. • First Detection of Atmospheric Neutrinos at Kolar Gold Fields in 1965. • Muon angular distribution : Limits on direct production of muons. • Muon Depth-Intensity curve. • Nucleon Decay and Monopole search experiments. • Closure of KGF mines in 1992 • Indo-Japanese Collaboration continuing at Ooty on Extensive Air Shower (EAS) experiments. • Participation in Belle Experiment by Indian groups.

2. NUFACT07 • 9th International Workshop on Neutrino Factories, Superbeams, and Betabeams (NUFACT07), held at Okayama, Japan during 6-11 August, 2007. • Jointly sponsored by DST and JSPS. • A delegation of 12 Indian neutrino physicists attended this meeting • N.K.Mondal from TIFR and M.Sakuda from Okayama University were the co-chairs of this workshop.

3. Beginning of KEK-INO interaction • Date? • Visit of KEK delegation to SINP/VECC, Kolkata • Agreed to continue the interactions in the context of INO experiment • A follow up meeting was suggested

4. Visit of INO delegation to KEK • November 27-28, 2007 • Talks from INO side • INO: Plan & Status Naba  K Mondal  • Physics with INO Amitava Raychaudhuri • INO magnet Vivek Datar • INO RPCs Sudeb Bhattacharya • INO electronics B. Satyanarayana  • Held extensive discussions on technical and collaboration issues with and visited facilities of: • Prof. A.Suzuki (KEK, Director General) • Prof. F.Takasaki(KEK, Director of Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies) • Prof. K.Nakamura • Prof. S.Kurokawa • Prof. K.Nishikawa(T2K spokesperson) • Prof. K.Abe(Belle experiment, expert of RPCs) • Prof. K.Kaneyuki(expert of atmospheric neutrino) • Prof. T.Nakamoto(expert of superconducting magnet) • Prof. M.Masuzawa(expert of normal conducting magnet • Prof. Y.Arai(expert of micro electronics) • Prof. T.Taniguchi(expert of electronics general)

5. Continued interaction • Prof Kazuo Abe visited INO RPC labs at TIFR and made invaluable suggestions on various aspects of detector development and characterisation • Prof Yasuo Arai shared his TDC hardware and helped in integrating in the VME based INO RPC test stand

6. Visit of KEK delegation to TIFR • January 28-29, 2009 • Status reports • Status of INO - NabaMondal • Comments on INO Proposal - Yuichi Oyama • Introduction to ICAL electronics- B.Satyanarayana • Introduction to ICAL Magnet  - M.S.Bhatia • Introduction to ICAL Simulations - G. Majumder • Parallel sessions on the above areas for detailed discussions between INO-KEK experts and designers • Summaries and action plans

7. Future plans • Prof Yusuo Arai and his group will help in the design and fabrication of ICAL electronics • Interface to the Japanese electronics and chip fabrication industry • Invitation to join KEK led Multi Project Wafer (MPW) initiative to test out our prototype electronics designs • Possibility of Japanese industry’s involvement in supply of materials for and fabrication of ICAL magnet • Exchange of expertise in mutually beneficial areas