Tsuguo Aramaki

Tsuguo Aramaki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Northeastern University's College of Science. He leads the Aramaki Lab, which conducts cutting-edge research on dark matter through three major international projects: SuperCDMS (Cryogenic Dark Matter Search) at SNOLAB in Canada, GAPS (General Antiparticle Spectrometer) balloon mission, and GRAMS (Gamma-Ray and AntiMatter Survey). His work spans both direct detection methods using underground cryogenic detectors and indirect searches via antimatter signatures in balloon-borne experiments, targeting the poorly explored MeV energy domain of the universe.

Aramaki's research focuses on developing novel detector technologies to solve the dark matter mystery. His group employs cryogenic silicon/germanium calorimeters in deep underground laboratories (SuperCDMS) for direct dark matter particle detection, while utilizing liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPC) in stratospheric balloon flights (GAPS and GRAMS) to search for antimatter signatures like antiprotons and antihelium. This dual approach targets both nuclear/electron recoils from dark matter interactions and annihilation/decay products, with particular emphasis on low-mass dark matter candidates and background-free detection channels through antimatter.

Analysis of Aramaki's recent publications reveals a dominant focus on advancing detector calibration, sensitivity modeling, and prototype development for dark matter searches. His work consistently bridges particle physics instrumentation with astrophysical observations, featuring innovations in cryogenic sensor technology, Compton scattering calibration, and LArTPC operation in extreme environments. The research trajectory shows increasing specialization in MeV gamma-ray astronomy and antimatter detection, with GRAMS emerging as the flagship project for next-generation observations in this critical energy band.

Aramaki mentors one postdoctoral researcher, three Ph.D. students, and five undergraduate students, with past mentorship of two Master's students and one undergraduate. He serves as Principal Investigator for the NASA-funded GRAMS project (APRA Grant 80NSSC23K1661), level-3 deputy manager of the Detector Coordinator for the DOE/NSF-funded SuperCDMS SNOLAB experiment, and Co-Principal Investigator for the NASA-funded GAPS project. His collaborative approach involves daily problem-solving meetings where team members contribute to hardware development, data analysis, and experimental design across multiple projects.

The Aramaki Lab operates as a dynamic instrumentation hub focused on building and optimizing the MiniGRAMS detector for the upcoming GRAMS prototype flight (2025/2026). Current activities include stratospheric testing of LArTPC systems, calibration of cryogenic sensors for SuperCDMS, and development of plastic scintillator veto systems for antimatter detection. The lab maintains strong partnerships with SNOLAB, NASA balloon facilities, and international collaborators, with team members actively engaged in hardware assembly, flight operations, and data analysis for all three major experiments.