
Kiyoshi Masui
Associate Professor of Physics and PI of the Synoptic Radio Lab.
Personal siteOur mission is to understand astrophysical phenomena, the evolution of the Universe, and fundamental physics using wide-field radio-wavelength sky surveys. To this end, we take a statistically formal approach to theory, instrumentation, and analysis of large datasets.
The purpose of the lab is not only to perform world-leading research, but to also provide the environment that incubates that research, through shared values, community, and teamwork, such that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. The lab is a vector to pass on a broad range of skills that can serve its members in their future endeavors. We strive to have an impact on society through the knowledge we create, the education we provide, and our devotion to equity.
Large-scale structure—the distribution of matter on scales much larger than galaxies—can be used to study almost all aspects of the Universe’s evolution, from the detailed physics of its birth, to the present-day acceleration of its expansion. The technique of hydrogen intensity mapping will enable sensitive, three-dimensional surveys of the large-scale structure over large volumes of the Universe, thus enabling measurements with unprecedented precision. A key focus of our lab is work with state-of-the-art hydrogen surveys such as CHIME to overcome the technical and data-analysis challenges inherent in the technique.
Fast radio bursts are brief and energetic flashes of radio light coming from distant galaxies. Since the first FRB was observed in 2007, it has been an open question as to what are the sources of FRBs and how are such bright bursts of radio waves created. We work not only to understand this mysterious phenomenon, but to exploit it as a probe of the Universe. Due to their unique properties, each FRB carries a record of the material it has travelled through between its source and our telescopes. As such, we can capture this information, aggregate it across large samples of observed FRBs, and use it to understand the contents of the Universe.
Common to both these lines of research is the need for novel, digitally-driven instruments that have both the power to survey large swaths of the sky, and the flexibility to observe in the unique modes that enable our science. For example, detecting fast radio bursts requires both high spectral resolution and millisecond time resolution, whereas hydrogen intensity mapping requires precise instrument calibration and exquisite instrument stability. We develop innovative solutions to these problems using closely integrated telescope hardware and software, often pushing the boundaries of what is possible with current technology.
The Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) is a revolutionary radio telescope designed to map the large-scale distribution of matter in the Universe in 3D. This map will answer major questions about the evolution of the Universe and cosmology.
Photo credit: Richard Shaw.
CHIME/FRB is a digital backend for the CHIME telescope that searches for fast radio bursts (FRBs) in real time. FRBs are brief (few millisecond) bursts of radio waves coming from far beyond our Milky Way galaxy. The CHIME telescope's large collecting area, wide bandwidth and enormous field-of-view make it a superb detector of these enigmatic transients.
Photo credit: Andre Renard.
An effort to supplement CHIME high FRB detection rate with the ability to pinpoint their sky positions with exquisite precision. To this end, we are building smaller Outrigger telescopes distributed across North America. These will work together with CHIME to triangulate FRB positions using the technique of very long baseline interferometry (VLBI).
Photo credit: Kenzie Nimmo.
The Canadian Hydrogen Observatory and Radio-Transient Detector (CHORD) is a next-generation survey telescope born out of CHIME's technological heritage. CHORD will be substantially more sensitive than CHIME and observes a wider range of radio frequencies, but will survey a smaller fraction of the sky.
Photo credit: Dallas Wulf
Associate Professor of Physics and PI of the Synoptic Radio Lab.
Personal sitePhD Candidate. Joined in 2018.
Personal sitePhD Candidate. Joined in 2019.
Personal sitePhD Candidate. Joined in 2022.
Personal sitePostdoctoral Fellow. Joined in 2022.
Personal siteMaster's Student. Joined in 2023.
Personal sitePostdoc. Joined in 2023.
Personal sitePostdoc from 2021 to 2024. Now faculty at Aix-Marseille University.
Personal siteGraduate Student from 2018 to 2023. Now a postdoc at UC Berkeley.
Personal sitePostdoc in 2022. Now faculty at Arizona State University.
Personal sitePostdoc from 2018 to 2022. Now faculty at the University of Toronto.
Personal sitePostdoc from 2019 to 2021.
Personal site