QUP is developing transition edge sensors (TES) for measuring very weak radio waves from outer space and detecting unknown quanta. The development of TES requires a low-temperature environment close to absolute zero.

In March 2023, four dilution refrigerators were ready for use in the Fuji Laboratory of QUP. These dilution refrigerators enable the TES to operate at temperatures below 100 milli-Kelvins, close to absolute zero. This is the core facility of QUP for the development of cryogenic detectors.

QUP will use the refrigerators to test various types of TES, including the focal plane detectors for the cosmic microwave background polarimetry satellite LiteBIRD, and develop detectors for unknown elementary particles such as dark matter.