The J-PARC main ring has achieved a 20-year-long ambition since the inception of the project: the continuous supply of 760 kW beams to the Neutrino Experimental Facility. Efficient recovery and reuse of energy stored in electromagnets have contributed to a 1.5-fold increase of supply in beam power with the same power consumption, resulting in significant energy savings. The T2K Experiment International Research Group has enhanced the neutrino generator, realizing the production of a record number of neutrinos per unit of time. J-PARC conducts the T2K experiment to investigate the fundamental properties of neutrinos, elementary particles. While Japan's neutrino research is already at the world's top level with two Nobel laureates, the T2K experiment is expected to make a substantial leap forward with this increased beam power, leading to generating new results toward the subsequent Hyper-Kamiokande project, ahead of the world.
The information above was introduced in a press release on January 17, and a press study session was held at the J-PARC center on this topic. The session included explanations from Dr. Susumu Igarashi of the Accelerator Division and Dr. Ken Sakashita of the Particle and Nuclear Physics Division. A tour of the facilities, including Central Control Building, Neutrino Monitoring Building, and Primary Proton Beamline, was also conducted. The details introduced during this study session were later published in newspapers and other media.
For more information, please visit the J-PARC website.
(1) Significant Increase in Beam Power and Electric Power Efficiency of the J-PARC Main Ring Accelerator - A Powerful Driving Force for Neutrino Research -
https://j-parc.jp/c/en/press-release/2024/01/17001276.html
(2) T2K experiment enters a new phase with significantly improved sensitivity for its world leading neutrino oscillation research - Started data taking with upgraded accelerator neutrino beam and new detectors -
https://j-parc.jp/c/en/press-release/2024/01/17001274.html
■Precision Spectroscopy Measurements of Muonic Helium Atoms — World record improved for the first time in 40 years —
A collaborative research team from KEK, J-PARC, Nagoya University, and the University of Tokyo succeeded in measuring the hyperfine structure of muonic helium atoms using the Muon Science Facility (MUSE) D-line at MLF of the J-PARC. The result is 1.5 times more precise than the previous measurement, meaning the establishment of a highly precise method using pulsed muons for the first time in the world.
A muonic helium atom, which is composed of an ordinary helium atom with one of its two electrons replaced by a negative muon, is a special atom that is not found in nature. Precision spectroscopy measurements of the muonic helium atom hyperfine structure can be used not only to determine the mass of the negative muon but also to examine CPT invariance, which is a fundamental theory of physics, by comparing the masses of positive and negative muons. The technique will be applied at the H-line, providing ten times higher muon beam intensity and longer measurement time, enabling 100 times more precise measurement of the mass of negative muons. Based on this experiment, continuous measurement of the hyperfine structure of muonic helium atoms may make it possible to unveil the difference in nature between particles and antiparticles.
For more details, please visit the J-PARC website.
https://j-parc.jp/c/en/press-release/2023/12/28001264.html
■Successful Control of Spin-Wave Life Time in Quantum Magnet by Magnetic Field
- Possibility of Switching Device for Spin-current control -
A research team from the University of Tokyo, KEK, and J-PARC has successfully controlled the spin-wave life time in a quantum antiferromagnet RbFeCl3 for the first time in the world.
The team measured spectra of spin waves in RbFeCl3 under various magnetic fields using the High Resolution Chopper Spectrometer HRC at MLF of the J-PARC, the Cold Neutron Triple-Axis Spectrometer HER installed in JRR-3, and the Hybrid Spectrometer HYSPEC at the Spallation Neutron Source in Oak Ridge National Laboratory. As a result, it was found that well-defined spin waves observed without magnetic fields are decayed under low magnetic fields due to dissipation of spins, and have long life time again under high magnetic fields. These findings demonstrate that spin-wave life time can be controlled by magnetic fields.
Spin currents exist even in insulators and are paid attention to as currents without energy loss. The findings in this study suggest that a quantum magnet can be utilized as a switching device to control spin currents, if a quantum magnet controlling the spin-wave life time in energies corresponding to thermal energies at room temperature by magnetic fields is found. From a closer view of point, the research of control of spin-wave life time by magnetic fields is expected to be promising by further improvements of neutron spectroscopy.
For more details, please visit the J-PARC website.
https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2024/01/11001267.html (only in Japanese)
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44435-0
■Successfully Developing New Mirror-Based High-Precise Neutron Interferometer
- Achieving Precise Measurement of Neutron-Nuclear Scattering -
A collaborative research team from RIKEN, Nagoya University, KEK, J-PARC Center, and Kyoto University has successfully developed a novel neutron interferometer to precisely measure the neutron interactions with significantly enhanced sensitivity compared to conventional methods.
Neutron interferometers, using quantum characteristics, have been utilized in various physics experiments, such as material analysis, due to their ability to precisely measure neutron-related reactions. However, their sensitivity improvement has been constrained by challenges in beam control and experimental limitation.
The research group focused on controlling a neutron beam utilizing "multilayer neutron mirror" that allows flexible adjustment of the wavelength of reflected neutrons. The four mirrors necessary for the interferometer were individually manufactured, allowing flexible adjustment of their positions based on the experimental requirements. Furthermore, the multilayer neutron mirror's ability to use a wider range of neutron wavelengths compared to crystals has improved neutron usage efficiency, simplifying stabilization mechanisms like vibration isolators due to reduced measuring time.
The experiment for interference fringe was conducted at MLF of the J-PARC, successfully observing interference fringe depending on neutron wavelength for the first time. Since interference fringes produced by the repeated flight of pulsed neutrons following time changes can be observed, time-dependent noises can be removed from the observed data. Future development will enable further improvement in accuracy by optimizing wavelength utilization and increasing the size of the instrument.
The interferometer works on the novel principle of obtaining interference fringes for various neutron wavelengths. Compared to conventional instruments, the sensitivity has been greatly improved and it is now easier to handle. This advancement is expected to be applied to a variety of research fields, including the material science, nuclear and elementary particle physics, and the elucidation of the mysteries of the expanding universe.
For more details, please visit our website.
https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2024/01/13001268.html (only in Japanese)
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.023402
■Hyper-Kamikande Project Promotion Council Held (February 14)
The 4th Hyper-Kamiokande Project Promotion Council was held at J-PARC on February 14. The Hyper-Kamiokande Project is an international collaborative scientific initiative hosted by Japan. It aims to elucidate the origin of matter in the universe and the Grand Unified Theory of elementary particles. To realize that, the project involves constructing a large underground experimental facility, which consists of a water tank with an effective volume 8.4 times larger than that of the Super-Kamiokande detector, along with highly sensitive light sensors. Additionally, it will increase the number of neutrinos generated at J-PARC.
During the council, reports were provided on the progress of the Hyper-Kamiokande project, budget planning, and the status of agreements with international research organizations. The on-site council, held for the first time in four years, facilitated a lively exchange of opinions, confirming further collaboration between KEK and the University of Tokyo.
Following the conclusion of the council, participants had the opportunity to tour the facility and observe the upgraded Near Neutrino Detector for the T2K experiment.
■J-PARC Hello Science
“Thanks to ‘That’, High Intensity Proton Beam Accelerators Can Realize in the World” (January 26)
The lecturer of January's "Hello Science" was Dr. Hiroyuki HARADA from the Accelerator Division. What is "that" of accelerators? "That" means "the multi-turn charge exchange injection of negative Hydrogen ions", which is a crucial or key technique for the world proton beam accelerators including the J-PARC to intensify the beam power.
Mainly, beams are controlled by bending or converging the orbit using magnetic fields. On accumulating protons at ring accelerators such as synchrotrons or accumulators, the number of injections is limited in the case that injection particles are protons with positive charges. Because the particles with the same charges are bent in the same direction by the magnetic field excited in magnet, injected protons cannot merge to the orbit of proton beams already circulating in the ring accelerator. Then, utilizing negative Hydrogen ions, ions with two electrons for one proton, makes it possible to smoothly merge to the circulating proton beams with positive charges because negative charge ions can be bent to the inverse direction in the magnetic fields. By stripping electrons of negative Hydrogen ions by passing through carbon foils after merging positive and negative beams, beams consisting of only protons can be generated. This method enabled us to accumulate more protons and to realize the high intensity proton accelerators in the world.
However, increasing the number of particles in beams gives them new challenging issues to realize further high intensity proton accelerator. They are a short and expected lifetime of carbon foil by increasing damage/overheating and the high radioactivation of the injection equipment near the foil by increasing scattered particles at the foil.
So now, the accelerator group of the J-PARC is progressing with research and development of new technology to strip the electrons of the injection beams without carbon foils. This is the method of charge exchange from negative Hydrogen ions to protons with positive charges by stripping two elections of injection beams using Laser, foil less. Once we establish this technology, high intensity proton accelerators will accumulate and accelerate further beams. Please pay attention with expectations for evolving accelerators and the future cultivated by J-PARC going forward.
■Director Gives a Lecture at Okayama Housen High School in Okayama Prefecture (January 27th)
J-PARC Center Director Takashi Kobayashi delivered a lecture titled “Mystery of the Universe - Exploit through Accelerator and Neutrino". A total of 36 first-year and second-year students participated in the event, giving feedback such as "I realized how fun Physics is." and "I'd like to know the details about how different the character of the matter and anti-matter."
■J-PARC Sanpomichi ㊸ Research Building of J-PARC in Early Spring
The entrance hall of the research building of J-PARC serves as a location for taking group photos of dignitaries and participants in international conferences. The hall extends as an open space up to the top floor, creating a soaring vertical atrium where sunlight, streaming through the glass entrance and skylights, naturally illuminates the faces of the subjects.
While the building is equipped with an elevator, some individuals prefer to use the stairs for health reasons. The staircase, protruding on the inside of the atrium, gives the impression of a floating staircase. On the second floor, one can enjoy a panoramic view of pine trees through the windows, and on the third floor, the peak of Mount Takasuzu in the Taga Mountain range becomes visible to the north. Upon reaching the fourth floor, the expansive Pacific Ocean unfolds to the east, while to the north, the foothills of the Taga Mountain range come into view.
From February to March, Tokai Village experiences a challenging season with lingering cold and airborne pollen, exacerbated by the direct impact of the spring breeze along the coast. Nevertheless, the robust early spring sunlight penetrates through the skylights and glass windows, gently warming and brightening the entire J-PARC research building from within.
]]>I would like to extend New Year's greetings to everyone.
I sincerely pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the Noto Peninsula earthquake while offering heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this calamity. My earnest wish is for the swift restoration and reconstruction of the affected areas.
Last year, the restrictions on activities were lifted due to the reclassification of COVID-19 to Class 5. At J-PARC, we were able to advance research activities. The RCS has been supplying beams to MLF at an exceptionally high operational efficiency of over 95%, reaching 840 kW. This has led to various successful outcomes in experiments conducted at the MLF. Additionally, through long-standing upgrades, the MR achieved a significant increase in beam intensity sent to the Neutrino Experimental Facility, elevating it from 510 kW to 710 kW.
Meanwhile, in April and June, fires broke out at facilities subject to KEK’s control. Fortunately, these incidents did not result in any personal injuries. Nevertheless, I would like to extend my apologies to the local community and everyone affected for causing concern and inconvenience. I would like to offer my sincere apologies once again.
The mission of J-PARC is to advance research across a wide spectrum of fields, encompassing particle and atomic nucleus physics, as well as materials and life science. Our goal is to explore the mysteries surrounding the origins and diversity of the universe, matter, and life, thereby contributing to the improvement of the global Quality of Life. Upholding safety management as the foremost and crucial foundation for our endeavors, we are committed to continuously enhancing it. The progress of J-PARC relies on the understanding and collaboration of our local community, users worldwide, and all those involved with us. I would like to express my anticipation of your ongoing support and partnership this year.
January 2024
Takashi Kobayashi, Director, J-PARC Center
■Tough and Stiff Gel Polymer Electrolyte: Expectation for Enhancing Durability of Flexible Energy Storage Devices (November 25th)
A collaborative research group featuring Tokyo University, JAEA, J-PARC, KEK, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency has succeeded in developing a tough and stiff gel polymer electrolyte for energy storage devices showing world-class stiffness and modulus of elasticity, combining phase separation phenomena and strain-induced crystallization of polymers.
Recently gel polymer electrolytes have been on the spot of light as a material of electrolyte for the next generation "bendable" flexible energy storage devices attachable to clothing and human skin due to their flexibility and safety derived from polymer. The two traits are essential for such a material; stiffness to prevent battery short circuits by the growth of metallic crystallization along with charging and discharging and toughness to prevent improvement of cracks by repeatedly bending. However, conventional materials have been considered challenging to meet these traits concurrently.
This study realized enough stiffness to prevent the growth of metallic crystallization by forming a microlayer separation structure inside the material. Moreover, stiffening polymer chains with crystallization under large loads from bending and stretching enabled the world-highest toughness in solid, semisolid, organic-inorganic complex gel electrolytes.
This autonomously curable gel polymer electrolyte is expected to be applied as the electrolyte of flexible energy storage devices, owing to its high safety and durability. Furthermore, its versatility extends to the design of electrolytes for various flexible electrochemical devices, including sensors, owing to the ability to substitute solutions with superior ion conductivity, such as ionic liquids.
For further details, kindly refer to our official website. https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/11/25001245.html (only in Japanese)
■Development of Strong Functional Materials Gel via Simply Freezing Natural Cellulose
-Finding Method of Freeze-Induced Crystalline Transformation and Simple Gel Synthesis (December 1st)
A collaborative research team comprising JAEA, Toyohashi University of Technology, Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute, and Meiji University found the crystalline transformation within a microscopic structure of the frozen aqueous solution. Moreover, the team realized making high-strength cellulose porous gel materials by a simple procedure.
In recent years, developing materials using cellulose, a renewable raw material, has attracted attention. However, improving toughness and formability was challenging. Structural control of cellulose molecules is key to creating new cellulose-derived materials to realize toughness. The research team used cellulose nanofiber extracted from wood pulp and focused on a microscopic concentration layer around ice crystals formed by the solutes and bound water inside the frozen aqueous solution of cellulose. The team found the addition of sodium hydroxide and citric acid induced a chemical reaction among cellulose molecules within the frozen concentration layer, resulting in compressive recoverability and macroporous nanocellulose hydrogels with a strong three-dimensional network structure.
The macroporous nanocellulose hydrogels developed in this research have properties, including a macroporosity exceeding 95%, high compressive strength, high formability, environmentally friendliness, high biocompatibility, and biodegradability. This material is expected to be applied such as the adsorption of harmful substances, medical materials, and carbon dioxide absorbers.
For further details, kindly refer to our official website. https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/12/01001247.html (only in Japanese)
■Gathering Molecules! - Exploring the Aggregation Dynamics of Hydrophobic Molecules in Aqueous Solution (December 14th)
A collaborative research group involving researchers from Kanagawa University, Osaka University, Tokyo University of Science, KEK, and JAEA has yielded a noteworthy revelation: the ratio between water and tetrahydrofuran (THF) elicit changes in the aggregation size and luminescence of molecular assemblies.
An organic compound, THF, exhibits a tendency to mix with water to a specific extent at ambient temperature. In the mixture of water and THF, hydrophobic molecules aggregate, and their forms change with properties of mixed solution depending on the water-THF ratio. However, the details of the aggregation change and the effects on physical and chemical properties have not been well understood.
In pursuit of a more comprehensive understanding, the research group has observed that water and THF molecules form varieties of micro-mesoscopic scale structures, where hydrophobic molecules are distributed to form aggregation. They have also elucidated that the aggregation state of the solute and the size of the aggregate accordingly change upon changing the mixing ratio of water and THF, which significantly affects the fluorescence properties of the solution.
If the judicious control of hydrophobic molecular aggregation is possible based on the insights from this research, such mastery could contribute to numerous applications, spanning from the optimization of devices such as organic displays and lasers to effective internal medicine delivery technology development.
For further details, kindly refer to our official website. https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/12/14001258.html
■J-PARC Hello Science "Various Imaging with Muons" (December 22nd)
In December's Hello Science, Dr. SHIMOMURA Koichiro of the Materials and Life Science Division introduced imaging technology using muons, elementary particles originating from cosmic rays in the universe. Muons are utilized for "imaging," penetrating objects, and revealing their interior without causing damage. They have contributed to significant findings, such as assessing the potential for volcanic eruptions and discovering unknown spaces inside Egyptian pyramids.
The team from the board of education in Tokai Village, the J-PARC center, and other organizations launched a project to investigate the ancient tomb in Tokai Village using this technique this fiscal year. Researchers from diverse fields, spanning both scientific and liberal arts disciplines, including physics and archaeology, collaborate with local students to deepen their knowledge about ancient tombs and muons, aiming to unveil their mysteries. Currently, students are actively involved in constructing the muon detector, with plans to start observing inside the ancient tomb in the next fiscal year. The details of the project's activities are available on J-PARC's official website noted following.
Many attendees participated in this month's "Hello Science" and exchanged lively questions and answers, indicating a strong interest and anticipation for muons. Please pay attention to developments related to muons. For more information, please visit the official J-PARC website. https://j-parc.jp/c/topics/ (only in Japanese)
■Lesson at Okubo Elementary School in Hitachi City (December 18th)
The off-site lesson was themed "Exploring the Unseen Vacuum," featuring Dr. KAMIYA Junichiro from the Accelerator Division. This initiative is part of a program organized by the Hitachi Civic Center for elementary schools in Hitachi City.
■Lesson at Tokai Minami Junior High School (December 22nd)
The off-site lesson, themed "The Useful Elementary Particle: Muon," was conducted by Dr. TAKESHITA Soshi from the Muon Section. A total of 178 first-year junior high students participated in the event, expressing their interest and curiosity with feedback such as "I'm intrigued by muons!" and "I'd like to delve into muons research."
■J-PARC Sanpomichi ㊷ Winter Delicacy in Tokai Village
Winter in Tokai Village marks not only the world's largest production of neutrinos, with shooting a significant number of neutrinos at the J-PARC in Tokai Village toward Super Kamiokande in Gifu prefecture but also another notable product in the region: dried sweet potatoes. The ratio of products accounts for more than 90% of the total production in Japan, including adjacent areas’ production amounts such as Hitachinaka City and Naka City.
The productive attributes in this area, including drainable red soil with volcano ash, ocean winds with minerals, and a climate with a relatively small amount of rainfall, make it ideal for producing dried sweet potatoes. The process is remarkably simple: steam, peel, cut, and dry, leaving no room for shortcuts. At the beginning of spring, farmers dig up the seed potatoes preserved in the soil from the previous year, create beds for seedlings, plant the seedlings in May, harvest in October, start making dried sweet potatoes in December, and finally ship products at peak now.
Some families of J-PARC staff members engage in producing dried sweet potatoes. While dried sweet potatoes are generally perceived as expensive, locals can enjoy scarce non-uniform ones, "Sekkou", for affordable prices.
Tokai Village is renowned for its world-leading experimental facilities as well as for its thriving agriculture. In the coldest time of the year, locals savor this modest winter delicacy, as it spreads natural sweetness upon biting, bringing warmth to both body and soul.
]]>The Japanese Society of Radiation Safety Management 22nd Annual Meeting took place in Shizuoka prefecture on November 13th. At this event, Chief, Koichi Sakashita and Chief, Saori Kato from the Radiation Control Section of J-PARC were honored with the Best Presentation Awards for delivering the most outstanding oral presentations.
The title of Chief, Sakashita's presentation was "Evaluation of Radioactivity Conversion Factors of Scintillation Gas Monitors Used for Measurement of Short-Lived Nuclides Generated in Hot Cells at Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility of J-PARC". He presented that simulations of radiation behavior in the monitors were utilized to assess their response to short-lived radioactive gases generated within the air. Chief, Sakashita said, "The attendees' questions about the significance and practical implications of our results in radiation control prompted me to give an enriching presentation, complete with a question-and-answer session to answer their questions.”
Chief, Kato's presentation was entitled "Producing Videos to Preserve Knowledge on Accidental Radioactive Material Releases”. She played a key role in the production of three educational videos aimed at providing lessons learned from past accidents. During her presentation, she introduced the content of the videos. Chief, Kato expressed, "I hope this award will serve as motivation for us to prevent the fading memory of accidents by applying the lessons learned to ensure the safe management of radiation.”
■Exploring Transient Phenomena with High-Intensity Pulsed Muons - Development of the Transient µSR Method (November 16th)
Scientists at J-PARC have developed a new technique, named "transient µSR," to improve muon spin rotation/relaxation (µSR) experiments. In this method, information such as sample temperature, magnetic field, and μSR data are integrated in real time for each muon pulse to generate multidimensional data. This allows researchers to change the sample environment without interrupting data collection. Original software has also been developed to allow a wide range of J-PARC users to easily handle the multi-dimensional data. With this innovation, continuous µSR measurements are possible even when the sample itself undergoes gradual change with time, resulting in more efficient use of the beam. The transient µSR method is expected to accelerate the study of transient phenomena, such as non-destructive measurements of battery under operation.
For further details, kindly refer to our official website.https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/11/16001238.html (only in Japanese)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2023.168669
■Reproducing Silica Glass Structure with Atomic Simulation - Exploring Sharp Peaks & Atomic Patterns with Advanced Molecular Dynamics (November 16th)
The atomic structure of glass has long been thought to be disordered because the atomic arrangement of the liquid is frozen, even though glass is a solid. However, in silica glass, sharp diffraction peaks (FSDP) have been observed in neutron and X-ray diffraction data, suggesting that a certain ordered structure may exist within the disordered structure. Glass does not have a periodicity of its atomic arrangement like crystals, so it is impossible to directly determine its complex structure from diffraction data.
To solve this problem, the researchers created a neural network potential using machine learning to learn the results of first-principles calculations of various silica crystals and liquids because the potential allows us to perform molecular dynamics simulations with high accuracy. By performing the machine learning molecular dynamics simulation for silica glass, the researchers succeeded in reproducing neutron and X-ray diffraction data taken by "NOVA" of MLF at J-PARC and "BL-04B2" of SPring-8, respectively, with high accuracy over a wide Q (momentum transfer) range. Consequently, the origin of FSDP and ordered structure, and the effects of densification and heat treatment on the ordered structure of silica glass were elucidated.
By combining this novel simulation technique with precise experimental data from J-PARC, we were able to understand the "medium-range ordered structure" in glass at the atomic level. The detailed analysis of silica glass from this study could aid in the development of new glass materials which enable faster and more efficient information transfer.
For further details, kindly refer to our official website.https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/11/16001239.html (only in Japanese)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44732-0
■Unveiling Unique Conduction Mechanism in a New Type of Perovskite Oxide -Stability, Conductivity, and Clean Energy Potential (November 17th)
A research team led by Professor Masatomo Yashima of the Tokyo Institute of Technology has discovered an oxide with promising dual-ion conductivity. This compound shows potential for use in clean energy technology, addressing challenges faced by current devices such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and proton ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs).
This material is distinguished by its ability to efficiently conduct protons and oxide ions at lower temperatures, unlike many existing oxide ion conductors used in SOFCs. It combines the strengths of both SOFCs and PCFCs and offers a solution to their operational limitations.
The research team studied variations of this material and found a composition with exceptional conductivities that outperformed similar compounds. They used advanced techniques such as molecular simulations and neutron experiments to understand the mechanisms behind its high conductivity.
The team discovered that the material's exceptional conductivity results from a unique structural phenomenon that facilitates the rapid movement of ions. In addition, efficient proton migration within the material contributes significantly to its high conductivity.
These findings underscore the potential of dual-ion conductors associated with perovskite compounds and provide valuable insights for the development of superior materials in this field. Professor Yashima hopes that these discoveries will advance the science and engineering of ion conductors for future energy technologies, with this newly discovered oxide showing promise in this pursuit.
For further details, kindly refer to our official website. https://j-parc.jp/c/en/press-release/2023/11/17001241.html
DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c02378
■J-PARC Public Lecture 2023 "THE MUONS FOR THE FUTURE - Seeing the Invisible!" on November 25th
A lecture organized by the J-PARC Center, Tokai Village, and the Tokai Village Board of Education was held at the Tokai Cultural Center.
After opening remarks by the Director of the J-PARC Center and the Mayor of Tokai Village, Dr. Izumi Umegaki of the Muon Section explained the basic properties of muons and reported the research results on muon-based analysis of batteries at J-PARC. Next, Yuta Nakai-zumi and Keiko Hayashi, curators of the Tokai Village Museum, introduced a project using cosmic ray muons, in which local students from elementary to high school collaborate to observe the ancient mounds of Tokai Village.
In the final presentation, Professor Tomoki Nakamura of the Graduate School of Tohoku University talked about the results of analyses of the asteroid samples using J-PARC's muon beam. The samples were recovered from the asteroid Ryuguby the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. The event was attended by 168 on-site participants and 72 online participants, who engaged in lively discussions during the Q&A sessions following each presentation.
The archive of J-PARC Lecture 2023 is available at the following link.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYjuEH3wLrQ
■"Muographic Investigation of Ancient Burial Mounds in Tokai" Project Starts Assembling Muon Detector on November 19th
The club formed in October for this project has finally begun its biggest mission, the fabrication of a muon measuring instrument.
At the Tokai Village Museum, 18 elementary to high school students came together and were split into two groups. They teamed up to assemble detectors, aiming to observe cosmic ray muons as they pass through an ancient tomb. The task requires patience and concentration as hundreds of 1mm-diameter thin optical fibers are threaded through a 60cm long and 1m wide detector to attach the optical sensor. The children first read the instructions and then tackled the task with assistance from experts and Ibaraki University students for three hours. It will still take several more months to complete the detector. An operational test of the detector is planned to be conducted by the end of this fiscal year.
■Director Gives a Lecture at Syonai Junior High School in Okayama Prefecture (November 10th)
J-PARC Center Director Takashi Kobayashi delivered a lecture titled "Secrets of the Big Universe, Secrets of the Microscopic World, and Accelerators" at Syonai Junior High School in Okayama Prefecture. Around a hundred first-year students attended the lecture.
■J-PARC's Classes on Demand at Kagawa National College of Technology on November 20 (November 20th)
Dr. Masashi Otani from the Accelerator Section delivered a lecture titled 'Structure of the Accelerator for Observing the Microscopic World.' A total of 86 students attended and provided feedback, expressing a heightened interest in exploring the possibilities and practical applications of elementary particles, extending beyond muons. They also displayed considerable curiosity about the process involved in extracting protons for proton beams.
■Sanpomichi ㊶ - Christmas Tree at J-PARC Research Building
Amid scientific pursuits at J-PARC, December signals a subtle shift. A modest Christmas tree quietly stands on the first floor, overlooked by the morning rush of staff absorbed in their tasks. Within these walls dedicated to knowledge, seasonal changes often go unnoticed.
As December's early nights fall, staff leaving notice the tree's humble lights in the dim hall. Though lacking city grandeur or home warmth, its steadfast presence subtly influences the mood of those leaving.
This silent tree serves as a reminder amid scientific rigor, offering a touch of seasonal cheer to dedicated staff heading home on December evenings.
]]>J-PARC Project Newsletter
No.93, January 2024
Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex under joint operation by the
High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) and the Japan Atomic
Energy Agency (JAEA)
http://j-parc.jp/index-e.html
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HEADLINES AND CONTENTS
1. [Overview]
2. [Accelerator Division]
BEAMS WITH A POWER OF 760 kW, A NEW RECORD AT THE MR, REACHED THE NEUTRINO FACILITY FOR BEAM USER OPERATION
3. [Particle and Nuclear Physics Division]
BREAKTHROUGH SUCCESSES FOR THE BEAM AND THE NEAR DETECTOR(ND).
STATUS OF THE JSNS2 / JSNS2-II (SEARCH FOR STERILE NEUTRINOS AT J-PARC MLF, E56 / E82).
WORKSHOP ON "COMPLEMENTARITY OF J-PARC AND HEAVY ION COLLISION EXPERIMENTS".
STATUS OF THE COHERENT MUON TO ELECTRON TRANSITION (COMET).
STATUS OF THE MUON g-2/ ELECTRIC DIPOLE MOMENT (EDM) (E34).
4. [Materials and Life Science Division]
USER PROGRAM STARTED WITH A 12 DAYS DELAY AND LESS BEAM POWER.
PROPOSALS FOR 2024A PERIOD WERE RECEIVED.
TRAINING SCHOOL ON SAMPLE ENVIRONMENT AND WORKSHOP ON NEUTRON IMAGING WERE HELD.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION WITH LEADING MUON FACILITIES.
5. [Nuclear Transmutation Division]
PLANS FOR NUCLEON ENGINEERING FACILITY WERE LISTED IN THE PROPOSAL OF THE SCIENCE COUNCIL OF JAPAN.
6. [Safety Division]
AN EMERGENCY DRILL HELD ASSUMING A FIRE ACCIDENT.
FACILITY INSPECTION SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED.
☆-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------…
1. [Overview] by Takashi KOBAYASHI
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MID-TERM EVALUATION OF THE ENTIRE J-PARC BY MEXT
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A major review on the entire J-PARC operation, covering both JAEA and KEK sides, is being held under MEXT. The first review meeting was held on Nov. 2nd, and the 4th, and last meeting will be held on Dec. 25th. All the materials discussed in the meetings can be found at
https://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/shingi/gijyutu/gijyutu2/112/index.html (only in Japanese)
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BEAM OPERATION RESTARTED AFTER APPLYING SAFETY MEASURES TO AVOID RECURRENCE OF THE FIRE AND SUMMER MAINTENANCE PERIOD
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On Nov. 21, beam delivery to the neutrino facility started as scheduled. Also on Dec. 3rd, user beam started to be delivered to MLF. During the summer maintenance period, in addition to the yearly maintenance, a number of countermeasures have been taken to avoid recurrence of the fires, including a safety check of all power devices in J-PARC. For the hadron experimental facility, work of the countermeasures is still continuing and restart of the beam to the HD facility is expected to be around the spring of 2024 after safety confirmation.
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ACHIEVED CONTINUOUS BEAM OPERATION OF MR AND NU AT 760KW
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On Dec. 25, 2023, the MR/NU facility achieved a continuous operation at 760kW beam power which surpassed the initial design goal of 750kW. For further details, kindly refer to our official website.
https://j-parc.jp/c/en/press-release/2024/01/17001276.html
https://j-parc.jp/c/en/press-release/2024/01/17001274.html
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PROF. ICHIKAWA (TOHOKU U.) RECEIVES THE NISHINA MEMORIAL PRIZE FOR ADVANCING NEUTRINO OSCILLATIONS WITH THE T2K EXPERIMENT
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The FY2023 Nishina Memorial Prize, which is one of the most prestigious awards in the field of physics in Japan, was given to Prof. Atsuko Ichikawa (Tohoku U.) for her contribution to "Constraining CP violating phase σ in neutrino oscillations" with the T2K experiment.
https://www.nishina-mf.or.jp/project_en/kinen_en/
https://www.nishina-mf.or.jp/news/event/2023/12/10/2023ceremony/
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J-PARC'S PUBLIC LECTURE 2023 "THE 'MUONS FOR THE FUTURE: SEEING THE INVISIBLE!" WAS HELD
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J-PARC's Public Lecture 2023 titled "The 'Muons for the Future: Seeing the Invisible!" took place in the Tokai Village on November 25. It was jointly hosted by the J-PARC Center, the Tokai Village, and the Tokai Village Board of Education. It showcased talks by Dr. Izumi Umegaki on muon-based battery research, local museum curators highlighting a student project using cosmic ray muons to observe ancient tombs, and Prof. Tomoki Nakamura discussing the analysis and findings of stones retrieved from the Ryugu asteroid via the Hayabusa 2 probe, using muon beam technology at J-PARC. In total, 240 attendees participated on-site and online. Talks can be watched anytime on YouTube.
https://j-parc.jp/symposium/lecture2023/
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2. [Accelerator Division] by Michikazu KINSHO
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BEAMS WITH A POWER OF 760 kW, A NEW RECORD AT THE MR, REACHED THE NEUTRINO FACILITY FOR BEAM USER OPERATION
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A new operation run started in November after the summer shutdown. Accelerator studies were carried out at the linac and the 3 GeV Rapid Cycling Synchrotron (RCS) before beam user operation. The main purposes of the studies were to start up the machine, reproduce the accelerator parameters, confirm the performance of some new components installed during the summer shutdown, and survey new parameters for lower beam loss, etc. The studies of linac and RCS were performed until November 18th.
The studies were also performed at the Main Ring synchrotron (MR) with a 1.36-second cycle which was a new repetition rate from November 19th. After finishing the fine-tuning and passing the radiation inspection of the neutrino experimental facility, the beam user operation started on December 5th at a beam power of approximately 710 kW, which was the new record in the MR beam operation. Moreover, on December 25th, MR beams with the beam power of approximately 760 kW, which exceeds the initial design value of 750 kW, reached the neutrino experimental facility. We expect that this achievement will bring about a new dimension to accelerator science as well as neutrino science. For further details, kindly refer to our official website. https://j-parc.jp/c/en/press-release/2024/01/17001276.html
Beam user operation of the Materials and Life Science Facility (MLF) was postponed from November 21st to December 3rd due to the delay of the summer maintenance work. The beam user operation for the MLF with approximately 660 kW (capable peak power: 740 kW) could be continued with a high availability of more than 90%. The beam power had been limited at the request of the neutron production target team.
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3. [Particle and Nuclear Physics Division]
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BREAKTHROUGH SUCCESSES FOR THE BEAM AND THE NEAR DETECTOR (by Yoshiaki FUJII)
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On November 22nd, we re-started beam operation of the neutrino experiment facility. The start-up went smoothly and 610kW continuous operation was established on November 28th. Operation inspection by the overseeing authority was successfully done on December 4th. We received the certificate for 1.3MW operation on December 5th, and we officially moved to the beam operation for experiments.
Using the results from the position survey of the equipment carried out this summer, validation of the new beam optics is nicely in progress. With these improvements, 710kW stable operation has been established on December 15th. Furthermore, at the end of the December run, a continuous operation of the neutrino beam has been successfully achieved at 760kW, which is greater than the initial design beam power. For further details, kindly refer to our official website. https://j-parc.jp/c/en/press-release/2024/01/17001274.html
New detectors to measure neutrino interactions with higher precision were installed in the near detector hall located 280 m downstream of the T2K target. The newly installed detectors consist of a SuperFGD, which detects tracks around a neutrino interaction point inside the detector, a High-Angle TPC, which measures the momentum of particles emitted at a large-angle direction, and a Time-of-Flight system, which can detect incoming or outgoing particles and identify particles. First beam data taking with the new detectors started and neutrino event candidates were successfully observed.
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STATUS OF THE JSNS2 / JSNS2-II (SEARCH FOR STERILE NEUTRINOS AT J-PARC MLF, E56 / E82) (by Takasumi MARUYAMA)
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The JSNS2 (E56) / JSNS2-II (E82) collaboration searches for neutrino oscillation with a short distance by sterile neutrinos at J-PARC MLF. For JSNS2, the fifth long physics run from Dec-2023 to June-2024 using a single near detector located on the third floor of MLF began from 7-Dec in 2023. The available beam power was 650 kW. For JSNS2-II, a new far detector is under construction. The safety issues regarding the installation of its acrylic tank were discussed in a J-PARC wide special safety committee on Dec-2023, and the installation is planned to be performed in Feb-2024. JSNS2-II aims to start data taking within 2024.
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WORKSHOP ON "COMPLEMENTARITY OF J-PARC AND HEAVY ION COLLISION EXPERIMENTS" (by Yuhei MORINO)
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On October 27-28th, a workshop on "Complementarity of J-PARC and heavy ion collisions experiments" was held as an in-person and online hybrid scheme. The local venue was the KEK Tokai-1 Building. There were 60 people registered and about 35 on-site participants. The aims of this workshop were to have open discussions on the complementarity development of nuclear physics studied at J-PARC and in high-energy heavy ion collision experiments. Discussions for heavy ion collision experiments at J-PARC as part of its future plan and exchanges of both fields were also the purposes of this workshop. At this time, four sessions such as "hyper-nuclei", "exotic hadrons", "nuclear medium effects" and "from low energy to high energy" were prepared, since these themes were closely related to studies being held in the J-PARC hadron halls. In addition to introducing their own research, new ideas were also proposed, and there were heated discussions among the attendees, resulting in a successful conclusion.
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STATUS OF THE COHERENT MUON TO ELECTRON TRANSITION (COMET) (by Satoshi MIHARA)
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The COMET experiment aims to search for the lepton-flavor violating muon reaction, mu-e conversion, with a sensitivity better than 10-14 in Phase I. The COMET group carried out an engineering run, called Phase alpha, to measure the behavior of the proton beam and of the secondary particles in February and March 2023. Its first result was already presented at summer conferences. For conducting further detailed data analysis, the main detector used in Phase alpha, the range counter, was irradiated with pion/muon/electron beams provided at Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland.
In parallel to this activity, facility construction continues. The capture solenoid magnet used to collect pions and transport them to the beam transport magnet is assembled at the manufacturer, to be installed in the COMET experiment area in the summer 2024. Experiment area preparation starts in January 2024.
The COMET group had an online collaboration meeting in November. More than 50 members joined to discuss the status of facility and detector construction, analysis tool development as well as simulation study, and schedule toward the start of physics data acquisition.
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STATUS OF THE MUON g-2/ ELECTRIC DIPOLE MOMENT (EDM) (E34) (by Tsutomu MIBE)
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The E34 collaboration aims for precision measurements of the muon anomalous magnetic moment and its electric dipole moment. The engineering design of the H-line experimental bldg. is in progress. The laser room as well as the platform for the RF power supplies are being constructed. The collaboration continued to work on the development of experimental components. An evaluation of muon source at the MLF S2 area is in progress. A workshop on muon acceleration and future collider with muon was organized at KEK Tsukuba campus (https://www2.kek.jp/ipns/en/news/5140/). Possibilities to utilize a low emittance positive muon source in a future collider were discussed. The collaboration is holding the 27th collaboration meeting at Niigata University in a hybrid style from December 13 to 15.
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4. [Materials and Life Science Division]
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Neutron Source; USER PROGRAM STARTED WITH a 12 DAYS DELAY AND LESS BEAM POWER (by Katsuhiro HAGA)
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There were two major maintenance works in October. One was the maintenance of the laser Doppler vibrometer used for monitoring the vibration of the mercury target vessel induced by pressure waves in mercury during beam operation. The other was the replacement of the proton beam window, used from 2020 to 2023, by remote handling operation. Both works were successfully completed, and the neutron source system got ready for the beam operation.
But when the MLF was changed to beam operation mode, the cryogenic hydrogen system got unexpected troubles. Thanks to dedicated works to solve the problems, the cryogenic hydrogen system could be successfully resumed, and the beam operation started on December 3, but the user program was delayed by 12 days.
There was another trouble in the mercury target vessel replaced during this maintenance period. The new mercury target vessel had a new structure in which the bubbler was mounted at a place 200 mm forward compared to the original type to increase the bubble number density in mercury near the forefront wall of the vessel. But it was found that the mercury flow rate and the gas injection flow rate at the bubbler were lower than expected, which forced us to reduce the beam power to 650 kW at MLF. The investigation of the cause is ongoing.
The 8th High Power Targetry Workshop was held at RIKEN Wako campus in Japan from November 6 to 10 hosted jointly by RIKEN and J-PARC. It was postponed several times from 2020 because of COVID-19, but finally it could be held in a face to face manner. More than 100 people attended and made fruitful discussions.
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Neutron Instruments and Science; PROPOSALS FOR 2024A PERIOD WERE RECEIVED. TRAINING SCHOOL ON SAMPLE ENVIRONMENT AND WORKSHOP ON NEUTRON IMAGING WERE HELD. (by Mitsutaka NAKAMURA)
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The proposal round of 2024A has been closed on November 7th. There were 301 applications for neutron experiments, a slight increase compared to the last proposal round. On the other hand, over 20 increments of proposals from abroad were received. Now the review process for the assignment is currently underway. All the operational schedule will be fixed at the MLF Advisory Board meeting being held on February 27th.
The 4th International Training School on Sample Environment at Scattering Facilities has been held in Tokai on 22 - 26 October. The school was hosted by J-PARC and in cooperation with other scattering facilities, to learn about Sample Environment (SE) for neutron and X-ray sciences. The school is designed for early career SE staff, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. Also, the program offers a combination of practical lectures including basic of neutron and X-ray as well as hands-on exercises (high-pressure, SE for soft matter, cryogenics, high-temperature, and so on) to develop basic SE skills. 18participants joined the program.
The NEUWAVE-11, a workshop on neutron wavelength dependent imaging was held in Tokyo on 22 - 26 October. This is a series of yearly workshops for imaging. It opens with a NEUWAVE tradition, the walking discussion in the Tokyo Bay area, followed by the workshop at Miraikan, The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. J-PARC and JRR-3 tours were also scheduled.
Recent press releases from MLF:
BL08 SuperHRPD and BL09 SPICA on Nov. 17
"Shedding Light on Unique Conduction Mechanisms in a New Type of Perovskite Oxyde" https://j-parc.jp/c/en/press-release/2023/11/17001241.html
on Nov. 16
"Machine learning molecular dynamics reveals the structural origin of the first sharp diffraction peak in high-density silica glasses" https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/11/16001239.html
BL09 SPICA on Oct. 20
Electropositive Metal Doping into Lanthanum Hydride for H- Conducting Solid Electrolyte Use at Room Temperature https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/10/20001222.html
BL22 RADEN on Oct. 11
3D Water Management in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells toward Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/10/11001218.html
BL03 iBIX on Sep. 20
Neutron crystallography of a semiquinone radical intermediate of copper amine oxidase reveals a substrate-assisted conformational change of the peptidyl quinone cofactor https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/09/20001209.html
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Muon Science Facility (MUSE); INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION WITH LEADING MUON FACILITIES (by Naritoshi KAWAMURA)
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MUSE resumed operation on 3/Dec after a delay of about 2 weeks from the original schedule. Every beamline completed its annual maintenance work and started smoothly.
The workshop, BRIDGE2023, which aims to strengthen the collaboration of muon and neutron science between Switzerland and Japan, was held at PSI, Switzerland on 18-20/Oct. This series of workshops was started by KEK and PSI to discuss common issues about the production targets, beamlines, detectors, etc. This time, more than 70 scientists and engineers including 9 MUSE staff enjoyed discussions about the current issues and prospects of both high-intensity proton driver facilities of PSI and J-PARC, and detailed collaborative items were confirmed.
Picture: Stefan Ritt, PSI ( https://indico.psi.ch/event/14832/)
The conference, ICANS XXIV, was held in Dongguan China on 29/Oct-3/Nov. This historic conference series originally aimed to discuss advanced neutron sources. This time, sessions related to muon instruments were included for the first time. Most of the leading muon facilities in the world co-exist with neutron facilities, and thus this could be a good opportunity for mutual understanding. Subsequently, a workshop was also held in Dongguang to celebrate the funding for the muon facility, MELODY, on the CSNS site, discussing the muon facilities and a variety of muon sciences. On behalf of the muon section of MLF, the section leader and the sub-leader attended these meetings.
The 8th symposium of "Integration of Arts and Sciences" was held in Ueno Tokyo on 2-3/Nov, discussing the non-destructive elemental analysis of cultural artifacts by negative-muon beams and also studies using other quantum beams like synchrotron radiation and neutrons.
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5. [Nuclear Transmutation Division]by HAYANORI TAKEI
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PLANS FOR NUCLEON ENGINEERING FACILITY WERE LISTED IN THE PROPOSAL OF THE SCIENCE COUNCIL OF JAPAN
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On September 25, the Science Council of Japan (SCJ) formulated the "Future academic promotion initiative (2023)," which consists of 19 "grand visions" for the science promotion for the next 20 to 30 years and "medium- to long-term research strategies for science" that are necessary from the perspective of realizing the grand vision (https://www.scj.go.jp/ja/info/kohyo/kohyo-25-t353-3.html, only in Japanese). The proposal "Nucleon engineering society opened up by high-energy and -intensity proton beam (Proposal No.143)," of which Director Kobayashi was the proposer, was listed as one of the items of the grand vision "Elucidation of the extreme world using quantum beams and contribution to human society." This proposal, which is indeed an advanced plan of the J-PARC Transmutation Experimental Facility, aims to meet the versatile needs of an experimental facility mainly for engineering applications of protons and secondary neutrons, that is, nucleons. Four specific needs are envisioned: (1) materials irradiation, (2) semiconductor soft-error testing, (3) RI production, and (4) proton beam applications, and the experimental facility is expected to contribute to carbon neutrality, etc. We hope that the experimental facility plan will move forward significantly as this proposal has been taken up by the SCJ.
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6. [Safety Division]
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AN EMERGENCY DRILL WAS HELD ASSUMING A FIRE ACCIDENT
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On Oct. 10th, an emergency drill was performed at the Neutrino Experimental Facility. It assumed that a fire broke out in the electrical room and the power to the exhaust system of the radiation-controlled areas had to be cut off for firefighting. The purpose of the drill was to confirm the following, 1. Initial response to a fire outbreak, 2. Rapid establishment of the command post, 3. Procedure required for shutting down the exhaust system, 4. Information exchange between the fire location and the command post, 5. Communication between the command post, JAEA Nuclear Science Research Institute (NSRI) local headquarter, and KEK director via TV conference system.
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FACILITY INSPECTION SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED
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The facility inspection of the Neutrino Experimental Facility was conducted by the Radiation Management Institute, Inc. on Dec. 4th. The items inspected were the shielding structure for the intensity upgrade of the primary proton beam from 750 kW to 1.3 MW, and the measurement of radiation dose rates at the facility. The certificate of compliance was issued on Dec. 5th.
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7. [Editorial Note]
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Past issues are available from the link below.
http://j-parc.jp/c/en/topics/project-newsletter/index.html
┏----…----…----…----…----…----…----…----…----…----…----…----…☆
┃ Editorial Board:
┃ Hidetomo OGURI (Chair) : oguri.hidetomo[at]jaea.go.jp
┃ Katsuhiro SHINTO: shinto.katsuhiro[at]jaea.go.jp
┃ Kyoichiro OZAWA: ozawa[at]post.kek.jp
┃ Kyoko AIZAWA: akyouko[at]post.j-parc.jp
┃ Hayanori TAKEI: takei.hayanori[at]jaea.go.jp
┃ Jean-Michel POUTISSOU (English Editor): jmp[at]triumf.ca
┃ Chiaki SHIRAISHI (Secretary): shiraishi.chiaki[at]jaea.go.jp
┃ * Please replace "(at)" with "@" when you enter an email address.
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I'd like to extend New Year's greetings to everyone.
I sincerely pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the Noto Peninsula earthquake while offering heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this calamity. My earnest wish is for the swift restoration and reconstruction of the affected areas.
Last year, on May 8th, the restrictions on activities were lifted for the first time in three years due to the reclassification of COVID-19 to Class 5. At J-PARC, while continuing to implement appropriate infection prevention measures, we were able to advance research activities, research meetings, and public relations activities. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone for their cooperation.
In April and June, fires broke out at facilities subject to KEK's control. Fortunately, these incidents did not result in any personal injuries. Nevertheless, I would like to extend my apologies to the local community and everyone affected for causing concern and inconvenience. Following investigations into the causes, implementation of preventive measures, and safety confirmations, we resumed operations. Regrettably, these incidents significantly inconvenienced and troubled many of our users due to their impact on beamtime. I would like to offer my sincere apologies once again.
Meanwhile, starting in April, the RCS has been supplying beams to MLF at an exceptionally high operational efficiency of over 95%, reaching 840 kW. This has led to various successful outcomes in experiments conducted at the MLF. In 2024, our focus remains on augmenting beam intensity and ensuring stable operations to achieve even more research breakthroughs. Additionally, through long-standing upgrades, the MR achieved a significant increase in beam intensity sent to the Neutrino Experimental Facility, elevating it from 510 kW to 710 kW by the end of 2023. Anticipating further advancements, we are eager to explore possibilities for further intensifying the beams, fostering greater advancements in neutrino research.
The mission of J-PARC is to advance research across a wide spectrum of fields, encompassing particle and atomic nucleus physics, as well as materials and life science. Our goal is to explore the mysteries surrounding the origins and diversity of the universe, matter, and life, thereby contributing to the improvement of the global Quality of Life. Upholding safety management as the foremost and crucial foundation for our endeavors, we are committed to continuously enhancing it.
The progress of J-PARC relies on the understanding and collaboration of our local community, users worldwide, and all those involved with us. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your understanding and cooperation, which are essential for our development and societal contribution. I would like to express my anticipation of your ongoing support and partnership this year.
January 2024
Takashi Kobayashi, Director, J-PARC Center
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Prof. Atsuko Ichikawa, former T2K experiment spokesperson, now a professor at Tohoku University Graduate School of Science, was awarded the Nishina Memorial Prize 2023 for her achievement entitled "Constraining CP violating phase δ in neutrino oscillations".
The T2K experiment is an international collaboration involving more than 500 researchers from 12 countries. Prof. Ichikawa was involved in the initial design and development of the J-PARC neutrino experimental facility and played a central role in the development of a device called the electromagnetic horn.
■Best Poster Awards at 2023 Fall Meeting of JIMM on September 21
The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials holds annual meetings twice a year, in the spring and the fall, as an opportunity to present and discuss the latest research results. The 2023 Fall meeting was held at Toyama University. J-PARC staff and collaborators from Tohoku University and Nagoya Institute of Technology received best poster awards from over 270 entries in the poster session.
The three award-winning research studies were conducted using the engineering materials diffractometer, TAKUMI, at the Materials and Life Science Facility of J-PARC and in collaboration with the instrument scientists of TAKUMI. The recipients and their award-winning research are as follows.
“Excellent combination of strength and ductility of an ultrafine-grained stainless steel at cryogenic temperatures studied by in situ neutron diffraction”
Wenqi MAO, Wu GONG, Stefanus HARJO, Takuro KAWASAKI from J-PARC, Si GAO from Kyoto University
“Direct measurement of cryogenic elastocaloric effect in a Cu-Al-Mn alloy”
Sheng Xu, Yuxin Song, Xiao Xu, Toshihiro Omori, Ryosuke Kainuma from Tohoku University, Tatsuya Ito, Takuro Kawasaki, Stefanus Harjo, Wu Gong from J-PARC
“Correlation between microstructure and tensile deformation behavior of Mg/LPSO two-phase alloys”
Kazuki Yamamoto(M2), Mika Sugita (M1), Toko Tokunaga, Koji Hagihara from Nagoya Institute of Technology,Tsuyoshi Mayama, Michiaki Yamasaki from Kumamoto University, Harjo Stefanus, Wu Gong from J-PARC
■Grand Prize at the Ibaraki Tech Plan Grand Prix on November 4
The team "Getapon," composed of JAEA staff members, won the Grand Prize at the 7th Ibaraki Tech Plan Grand Prix. The Ibaraki Tech Plan Grand Prix is held annually to discover unique technological capabilities in Ibaraki Prefecture and to promote support for their commercialization.
The team developed a new vacuum pump technology that uses titanium to adsorb and absorb gas molecules, making it possible to generate ultra-high vacuum without using large vacuum pumps. This energy-efficient and space-saving ultra-high vacuum pump is expected to contribute to various fields, including semiconductor manufacturing and materials development.
■Electropositive Metal Doping into Lanthanum Hydride for H− Conducting Solid Electrolyte Use at Room Temperature
A research team from RIKEN, KEK, Japan Fine Ceramics Center, and J-PARC has developed a new electrolyte material that conducts hydride ions (H-), a type of hydrogen.
Electrolytes for batteries require both high ionic conductivity and electric insulation. Currently used liquid electrolytes have the risk of leakage and ignition, but solid electrolytes can reduce such risks, and are expected to enable rapid charging, high energy density, and stable operation over a wide temperature range. Although ionic conductivity of solids is very low at room temperature in general, various solid electrolytes have been developed.
LaH3-δ is a solid material with high ionic conductivity at room temperature, but its electric conductivity was too high for the use of solid electrolyte. The research team synthesized Sr-substituted LaH3-δ with slight O2-incorporation and achieved both high ionic conductivity and excellent electrical insulation at room temperature. The newly synthesized material was shown to perform as a solid-state electrolyte in an all-solid-state cell.
The newly developed solid electrolyte material is expected to open the door to novel H--based electrochemical device operating near room temperature, such as rechargeable batteries based on a new operating principle, and hydrogen storage systems.
For more information, please visit the J-PARC website. https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/10/20001222.html (only in Japanese)
■J-PARC Photo Contest 2023
The 10th J-PARC Photo Contest was held and received 43 entries this year. After careful selection by a panel of judges, including an invited expert, a photo by Mr. HARADA, Takeshi from the Nuclear Hadron Physics Laboratory of Kyoto University Graduate School was awarded the grand prize.
This work, which photographed the active fiber target used for precision spectroscopy of Ξ hypernuclei, received a comment from the guest judge: "This photo has the power for people to stir their imagination about outside the frame."
The winning entries in the contest are supposed to be widely used as promotional materials, such as a calendar for J-PARC.
■J-PARC Hello Science: Creating Ultra-Dense Matter with Heavy Ion Beams? (October 27)
Dr. Hiroyuki Sako from the Advanced Science Research Center gave a lecture on the J-PARC Heavy-Ion Project, J-PARC-HI, a plan to accelerate heavy ions. This project aims to create and investigate ultra-dense matter through heavy ion collision experiments.
The highest ultra-dense matter in the universe is thought to be located at the center of neutron stars, with a density of about 1015 g/cm3, which is 5 to 10 times as high as that of an atomic nucleus. With J-PARC-HI, it is possible to artificially create ultra-dense matter on Earth by compressing atomic nuclei. In this process, a world-leading heavy ion beam is irradiated onto a target such as gold, causing heavy nuclei to collide. The energy of the heavy ion beam at J-PARC is about 12 GeV per nucleon, which is the optimum energy for compressing atomic nuclei, and it can compress atomic nuclei to a maximum of 6 to 8 times as high as their original density.
One of the main goals of J-PARC-HI is to search for the phase transition between hadrons and quark matter. At present, the mechanisms of phase transitions at high densities are still poorly understood due to the difficulty of performing theoretical calculations from first principles. J-PARC-HI's heavy ion collision experiments aim to discover the phase transition line, the critical point, and the color superconducting phase that have been theoretically predicted for over 20 years, as well as to verify the hadron mass generation mechanism proposed by the Nambu theory. In addition, it is hoped to achieve a variety of other results, such as exploring the mysteries of neutron stars from heavy ion collision experiments and discovering new particles and nuclei with multiple strange quarks using the large number of strange quarks that are generated.
J-PARC-HI is a challenging project, but it has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of matter at extreme densities. The results of these experiments could have a profound impact on our understanding of the universe, including the formation of neutron stars and the origin of the elements.
■Youngsters' Science Festival in Hitachi (October 29)
The " Youngsters' Science Festival " is a precious opportunity to provide children, the eggs of future scientists, with exciting science experiences, to foster children's curiosity for science and develop human resources responsible for the next generation of science and technology. With over 3,000 people attending the festival, the venue thrived with many workshops featuring fascinating science experiments.
The J-PARC booth featured a crafts workshop to build a unipolar motor, whose copper wire coil was spun by the force of a magnetic field. The children immersed themselves in the experiment, forming copper wires into unique shapes. Many children and their parents listened intently to the introduction of J-PARC, showing their great curiosity about our research. We attracted many visitors with Halloween decorations, costumes, and special handmade badges.
■J-PARC Center Director Kobayashi Gives Guest Lectures in Malaysia (October 22 to 25)
J-PARC Director Kobayashi Takashi visited Malaysia and gave lectures at the University of Technology Malaya, the National University of Malaysia, and the Malaysia Nuclear Agency as a promotion tour of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI. He gave an overview of J-PARC, ongoing experiments and future projects, and discussed the possibility of future research collaboration. He also introduced opportunities for Malaysian students and researchers to participate in research at J-PARC, such as the SOKENDAI KEK Tsukuba/J-PARC Summer Student Program.
We hope that this lecture will lead to further deepening of relations with Malaysian students and researchers in the future.
■8th Fusion of Humanities and Sciences Symposium (November 2-3, National Museum of Nature and Science)
The world's highest-intensity negative muon beam generated at J-PARC's MLF is also used to study cultural artifacts and other humanities materials. To explore the potential of humanities research using such quantum beams, the KEK Institute of Materials Structure Science has held an annual "Fusion of Humanities and Sciences Symposium" since 2019.
This time, the symposium was held at the National Museum of Nature and Science, Ueno Main Building, with the theme "Exploring History with Quantum Beams - The Horizon of Fusion of Humanities and Sciences Weaved by Accelerators." About 70 people attended, and there were 12 oral presentations on various topics, including coins, metals, asteroids and meteorites, ancient tombs, and tsunamis. A public lecture with three presentations was held on the second day's afternoon. The public lecture attracted a lot of interest, with questions coming from both the audience and about 110 Zoom attendees.
■J-PARC Facilities Tour for Media Reporters (November 14)
A tour of the J-PARC facilities for reporters was held on November 14. Four people from three companies participated.
■Sanpomichi ㊵ -Fireworks and J-PARC
The photo shows a scene from the Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition held on November 4. Approximately 20,000 fireworks were launched in front of an audience of 600,000 people. Cheers and applause erupted as each firework rose into the night sky. Many visitors may have found a kind of beauty in the transience of fireworks. However, the beauty of fireworks is stored in our brains as memories even after the fireworks have disappeared.
The Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility at J-PARC produces world-leading beams of neutrons and muons. These beams disappear immediately after hitting a sample, but the data obtained is recorded in detail. A "starmine" is a work of art with hundreds of fireworks. J-PARC can analyze the performance of automotive fuel cells, the properties of new alloy materials, and the composition of cultural artifacts as far away as asteroids like Ryugu by repeatedly colliding samples with the world's leading beams of neutrons or muons and accumulating the resulting data.
The fireworks festival in Tsuchiura is a competitive event and a venue for improving fireworks technology. The fireworks artists have already begun to hone their skills for the next festival. J-PARC also continues to work hard to develop more powerful and user-friendly beams and to use them effectively to achieve further research results.
]]>We deeply apologize for the concern and inconvenience caused to you by the fire in the Hadron Power Supply Building of J-PARC on June 22, 2023.
The J-PARC Center summarized the cause of the fire, countermeasures, and J-PARC wide safety confirmation as a report. We would like to inform the report was submitted to Ibaraki Prefecture on October 23.
Report on the Fire in the Hadron Power Supply Building of J-PARC (in Japanese)
https://j-parc.jp/c/information/2023/10/24001223.html
Takashi Kobayashi, Director of J-PARC Center
■J-PARC Facility Open House Held On-Site for First Time in Four Years (October 1)
Despite the unstable weather, 1,163 visitors attended the event. After a 4-year absence from the public, each of the J-PARC's facilities was very popular. The linear accelerator facility was especially popular, with all time slots fully booked in the morning. Visitors who were able to tour were awestruck by the sight of the acceleration cavities aligned 330 meters in a straight line. In the exhibition corner, special exhibits were displayed, including the experimental device that analyzed the rocks from the asteroid Ryugu brought back by the planetary prove Hayabusa2, and a cutaway model of a fuel cell car. Many visitors were interested in the exhibits and viewed them with great interest.
As part of J-PARC Hello Science, five lectures were given by the director of the J-PARC Center and researchers, introducing the status of J-PARC, the latest research and results, etc.
■Neutron Crystallography Reveals Detailed Structure Information of Enzyme Radical Reaction Intermediates for the First Time (September 20)
A research group from Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Osaka University, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki University, and RIKEN has successfully performed neutron crystal structure analysis of the semiquinone radical intermediate formed in the catalytic reaction pathway of copper amine oxidase using the iBIX, IBARAKI Biological Crystal Diffractometer installed in the MLF, the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility at J-PARC.
Copper amine oxidase is an enzyme that exists in many organisms, and it has recently been shown to be involved in the development of diabetes, arteriosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases in human blood. Although it is known that this enzyme undergoes multiple structural changes, forming different intermediates to catalyze the reaction, the mechanism by which the structure changes has not yet been elucidated. Also, it was not known how the intermediate could stably maintain the reactive radical.
The research group generated a semiquinone radical intermediate by soaking a microorganism-derived copper amine oxidase crystal in a substrate amine solution under anaerobic conditions. They then performed neutron diffraction measurements using iBIX. By succeeding in high-resolution neutron crystal structure analysis, the position of the hydrogen atom at the active site was revealed, and it was possible to clarify one aspect of the mechanism by which the radical intermediate can stably exist.
This study revealed one aspect of the precise reaction mechanism of the enzyme at the atomic level. As a major research theme in the field of enzyme science, it is expected to significantly contribute to the development of design molecules of enzymes with new functions, especially various useful enzymes that use radical reactions as intermediates.
For more information, please visit the J-PARC website.
https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/09/20001209.html(only in Japanese)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.3c02629
■Elucidating Water Behavior Inside Automotive Fuel Cells
- World's first observation using neutrons and X-rays - (October 11)
A research group consisting of Toyota Central R&D Labs, JAEA, and the Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society (CROSS)has successfully revealed the behavior of water inside practical-sized automotive fuel cells using the energy resolved neutron imaging system "RADEN" at J-PARC and the Toyota beamline "BL33XU" at SPring-8.
To improve the power generation performance of fuel cells, it is necessary to develop a technique that efficiently discharges the water produced by the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen inside the cell. Consequently, understanding how water is retained in and discharged from fuel cells is an essential issue. This is because fuel cells are installed in a metallic case, which prevents direct observation of the behavior of water inside, it has been predicted by means of computational simulations. Thus, there has been a strong demand for experimental observations under practical operation conditions.
At first, using a practical-sized cell from Toyota Motor Corporation's MIRAI (2nd generation) FCEV, the macroscopic water distribution was observed during power generation using a pulsed neutron beam at J-PARC. The results evidenced the water distribution, which was predicted by the simulation. Next, a hand-sized cell was fabricated using the same electrode material as the practical cell, and the water behavior in the lamination direction was observed using synchrotron X-rays at SPring-8. Based on the observation using both neutrons and X-rays, it was found that the microscopic water behavior significantly affected the macroscopic water distribution in practical cells.
The technique to analyze the water behavior for automotive fuel cells developed in this study can be applied to analyze the stagnant water that affects the performance of fuel cells. Furthermore, various developments are expected in the research and development of fuel cells, such as the planning and verification of concepts for materials and gas channels.
For more information, please visit the J-PARC website.
https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/10/11001218.html (only in Japanese)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.3c01096
■Scientific Activities for Kids at Ozora Marche (October 7, Tokai Village)
The Ozora Marche, one of the four major festivals of the Tokai Village, was held under calm weather. This event is annually held in a historical and nostalgic location, with the precincts and approach of the adjacent "Grand Shrine" and "Muramatsusan Kokuzoudo" as the venue. J-PARC Center held a demonstration of an original toy coaster using superconducting materials and a workshop on making kaleidoscopes using polarizing sheets.
The J-PARC booth attracted 373 visitors. They were amazed and delighted by the strange behavior of superconducting materials and the kaleidoscope made by themselves.
It was a lively event for people of all ages, with a variety of activities including workshops, crafts, food trucks, and musical performances,
so that this facility's open house can be a fruitful one for both visitors and staff.
■J-PARC Center Director Kobayashi Gives Guest Lecture at Tsuyama Junior High School (September 20)
Takashi Kobayashi, Director of the J-PARC Center, gave a guest lecture at Tsuyama Junior High School in Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture. Tsuyama City is the central city of northern Okayama Prefecture, near Dr. Kobayashi's hometown. Tsuyama Junior High School is the first combined junior high and high school in the north of Okayama. On the day of the lecture, 79 third graders attended a talk on "The Mysteries of the Vast Universe, the Mysteries of the Microscopic World, and Accelerators.
Dr. Kobayashi began by explaining the relationship between the vast universe and the tiny particles that make it up. He explained that large accelerators are needed to observe these tiny particles. He then introduced J-PARC and talked about the excitement of learning science. He expressed his hope that students would take this opportunity to become more interested in the world of science.
■KIPP Nakameguro Children's Class Held at Nakameguro Elementary School (October 11)
A lecture entitled "Let's Make the World's Smallest Mysterious Top and Touch the World of Elementary Particles!" was held at Nakameguro Elementary School in Meguro Ward. Dr. Masashi Otani of the Accelerator Division was the lecturer, and 14 students from grades one to four learned about the universe and elementary particles clearly and concisely. In the gyroscope experiment, the children were engaged in trying to spin the top as long and as beautifully as possible. They also realized that precession occurs due to differences in how the top is spun. In the handmade tops experiment, they enjoyed experimenting with their own ideas, such as connecting large and small tops together.
According to a post-lecture survey, there were responses such as "I learned for the first time that there are protons and elementary particles" and "I learned for the first time about precession." It seems that the children were able to touch the world of elementary particles while enjoying the experiment.
■Exploring Sizeable Ancient Burial Mounds with the "Muographic Investigation of Ancient Burial Mounds in Tokai※ (September 17)
On September 17, 34 participants visited Funatsuka Tumulus Group 2, Gongenyama Tumulus, and Masaki Tumulus Group in Tokai Village.
While it was still hot, the participants enjoyed the explanations and quizzes given by Mr. Nakaizumi and Ms. Hayashi, curators of the Tokai Village Museum, as they viewed the ancient burial mounds. Participants looked very happy to be able to step into an ancient burial mound, as they do not usually have the opportunity to climb them. They were also surprised by the size and height of the actual tumulus. During the tour of Funatsuka Tumulus Group 2, which was to observe through cosmic ray muons, participants went inside the tumulus covered with grass and trees and very dense. The children were thrilled to feel as if they were exploring the area, which must have touched their hearts.
In addition, Ms.Hayashi found a fragment of haniwa (clay figurine) in the Funatsuka Tumulus Group 2, and the children were very interested in haniwa and wanted to pick one up themselves.
This month marks the end of this year's lectures and site visits, and now the second half of the year will begin with activities to build the actual measuring instruments. We will report on these activities in due course.
※This is a project sponsored by Tokai Village, J-PARC Center, Ibaraki University, and Tokyo Metropolitan University, which started in April this year.
■Sanpomichi ㊴ -Early Morning Open House at the J-PARC Facility
The first visitors lined up in front of the reception tent at 6 a.m. in the rain. By the time the reception began, 80 people were in line. Drivers boarded the 12 buses and waited for departure. Visitors completed their registration at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency headquarters and boarded a shuttle bus to the J-PARC Facility Open House venue.
The Facility Open House is an opportunity for everyone to learn about J-PARC. However, it is not a one-way event that simply showcases the facilities and equipment. During the Facility Open House, J-PARC staff can hear directly from visitors about what they are interested in and what they expect from J-PARC. This is a valuable opportunity to improve our outreach activities in the future. In addition, we may find unexpected novel ideas from the questions and comments that visitors provide. We hope to listen to the voices of the visitors and share wisdom with each other.
The shuttle buses carrying a lot of people left one after another. We hope that this facility open house can be a fruitful one for both visitors and staff.
]]>Dr. Wakui of the Neutron Source Section, Assoc. Prof. Yamasaki (Ibaraki University) and Dr. Futakawa (J-PARC Center) were awarded Japanese Society for Experimental Mechanics 2023 Annual Meeting Award (Paper Award) for the paper entitled “Effect of pulsed laser irradiation on the micro-plastic behavior of radiation shielding lead glasses”. The celebration ceremony was held in Wakayama prefecture on August 30th.
Irradiation damage is one of the factors that determine the lifetime of a mercury vessel, and then it is very important to quantitatively evaluate changes in material properties. Based on the results of the hardness test, a method has been devised to quantitatively evaluate material properties using inverse analysis including the finite element method. The effectiveness of this method has been confirmed when it was applied to the evaluation of ductile materials and ion-irradiated materials.
In this paper, they applied this method to radiation-shielding glass which is a brittle
material and local damage caused by high-intensity pulsed laser was quantitatively evaluated. In the future, they plan to apply this method to a mercury vessel to investigate radiation damage.
■Polarized Neutrons Observed Nanometer
-Thick Crystalline Ice Plates in Frozen Glucose Solution (August 22)
A group from JAEA, J-PARC Center, CROSS and Hiroshima University has successfully observed for the first time the peculiar shape of ice crystals immediately after their formation in a glucose solution using a technique called spin-contrast-variation (SCV) small-angle neutron scattering (SANS).
When food, pharmaceuticals or biological samples containing water are cryopreserved, the growth of nano-sized ice crystals in the water can destroy cellular tissue and degrade the quality of food or pharmaceuticals, or impair the function of biological tissue.
The research team sought to observe nanometer-sized ice crystals in sugar solutions using SCV-SANS, a technique developed over many years at J-PARC's Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) BL15 "TAIKAN".
The analysis showed that the addition of glucose, a cryoprotectant, produced plate-shaped ice crystals with a thickness of 2-3 nm and an extension of more than tens of nm, and that the nuclei of ice crystals in glucose solutions hardly grew in a specific axial direction. This result suggests that glucose not only hydrates water molecules but also selectively binds to specific faces of ice crystals and suppresses the growth of these faces.
The research team intends to elucidate the mechanism of ice growth suppression by glucose molecules and other cryoprotectants in combination with computational science, and in the long run, they hope to contribute to the development of cryopreservation technology for organs, cells, eggs, and sperm, and to elucidate the life support functions of organisms in cold climates by sugar secretion through this method.
For more information, please visit the J-PARC website.
https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/08/22001192.html (Only in Japanese)
■Pd Nanoparticles on the Outer Surface of Microporous Aluminosilicates for the Direct Alkylation of Benzenes using Alkanes (September 7)
A research group from Yokohama National University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, the University of Electro-Communications, and JAEA has developed a new catalyst that can directly bond alkanes and benzene. This catalyst consists of palladium nanoparticles supported on the outer surface of zeolite.
Alkylbenzenes are valuable industrial chemicals that are used in a variety of products, such as synthetic detergents. However, they are difficult to produce directly from alkanes. Conventional production methods generate a large amount of acid as a byproduct.
The new catalyst developed by the research group can be used to synthesize alkylbenzenes directly from alkanes and benzene. This process is more efficient and environmentally friendly than conventional methods.
The researchers used a technique called muon spin relaxation (μSR) in the D1 area of the Muon Experimental Facility at MLF of the J-PARC to study the reaction mechanism. They found that the catalyst activates the alkanes and benzene molecules, allowing them to bond together directly. The catalyst also helps to transfer hydrogen atoms between the molecules, which is essential for the reaction to proceed.
The research group believes that this new catalyst could be used to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly methods for producing a variety of valuable chemicals from alkanes.
For more information, please visit the J-PARC website.
https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/09/07001205.html (Only in Japanese)
■J-PARC Hello Science: "What is a 'Beam'?" (August 25)
As this month’s Hello Science, Dr. Katsuhiro Moriya from the Accelerator Division gave a lecture on the definition of "beam," one of the most commonly used words at J-PARC, as well as the fun and challenges of handling beams.
In general, the word "beam" is often used in the construction industry and in science fiction anime. The beam that is accelerated at J-PARC is a collection of protons flying in the same direction. The laser beam that is familiar from stage performances is similar to the image of the beam that is handled at J-PARC. In an experiment during the lecture, the principle of beam convergence was introduced by using the light from an LED light source as a beam.
The three accelerators at J-PARC use the forces of electric fields and magnetic fields to accelerate and converge beams. However, it was introduced that in the J-PARC, the world's highest-performance accelerators, many challenges are being faced in controlling beams, as the electromagnetic fields created by high-intensity beams can have a negative impact on the beams themselves, and the number of particles that make up the beams is too large to destroy beam monitors.
After the lecture, participants in the venue gave feedback such as "It was very easy to understand and I was interested." In response to the question "Why was J-PARC able to create high-intensity beams that are the pride of the world?" Moriya said with passion, "One of the factors that leads to good results is that at J-PARC, people from various fields work together smoothly across boundaries."
■Exhibited at the Magnet Power Exhibition (August 19 and 23, Hitachi Civic Center)
At the Magnet Power Exhibition at Hitachi Civic Center, J-PARC demonstrated a superconducting coaster with the cooperation of the Cryogenic Section, attracting a total of 272 visitors. Two science shows were held in the science studio on both days, and a workshop was held in the Orientation Room on August 19.
When a superconductor is cooled with liquid nitrogen, its electrical resistance becomes zero and a repulsive force called the Meissner effect is generated against a magnet. In this state, if a superconductor is forcibly pressed against a magnet, the superconductor will memorize the magnetic field lines of the magnet due to the pinning effect and an attractive force is also generated. In a superconducting coaster, the repulsive force and attractive force are balanced to allow a coaster made of a superconductor to float and glide on a track made of rubber magnets.
The audience was amazed by the superconductor that floated without falling and moved smoothly on the magnet, and they stared at it so as not to lose sight of it.
■Press Salon "In-depth Explanation of the Latest Results from the Muon g-2 Experiment" Held on August 18
The institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies (IPNS) in KEK held an online presssalon, which was attended by 27 members of the media from 14 companies.
Professor Tsutomu Mibe, the spokesperson of the J-PARC muon g-2/EDM experiment, and Associate Professor Akimasa Ishikawa, who is involved in the Belle II experiment, discussed the latest results of the muon g-2 (anomalous magnetic moment) experiment. They explained the overview of the muon g-2/EDM experiment being developed at J-PARC, the significance of verifying the g-2 experimental results through independent experiments, and the future prospects in collaboration with the Belle II experiment.
https://www2.kek.jp/ipns/ja/news/4937/ (Only in Japanese)
■J-PARC facility tour for "Muographic Investigation of Ancient Burial Mounds in Tokai" (August 27)
On August 27, a J-PARC facility tour was held with 47 participants. First, Director Kobayashi gave an overview of J-PARC. The participants were then divided into three groups to tour the linear accelerator, MLF, and Neutrino Experiment Facility sequentially. These facilities are not normally open to the public, and they seemed to be looking forward to this tour. In each facility, they had not only explanations from researchers but also opportunities to ask questions to the researchers. This was a precious experience for them.
※ This project is organized by the Tokai Village Board of Education, the J-PARC Center, Ibaraki University, and Tokyo Metropolitan University, which has been active since April this year.
■Sanpomichi㊳ -Business Shuttle Bus
A business shuttle bus runs between J-PARC's Tokai Campus and KEK's Tsukuba Campus, a distance of 80 kilometers each way. The bus makes five round trips a day, taking 1.5 hours for the trip. The passengers are a mix of staff who live near Tsukuba and work at J-PARC, and people who commute for experiments or meetings. People who are talking about work at the bus stop suddenly become silent and sit in different seats when they board the bus. They use the long ride to work on their computers, listen to music with headphones, or recline their seats to take a nap. The Joban Expressway from the Hitachi Minami-Ota Interchange to the Tsuchiura Kita Interchange is the section where some people get the most work done, and others sleep the best. The bus interior is filled with the sound of keyboards and gentle snores as it sways gently over the small bumps on the highway. At night, the headlights of trucks passing in the opposite lane often shine into the interior, but the passengers who are used to it don't mind. When the bus arrives at the stop, everyone wakes up, exchanges a brief greeting, and disperses to their respective destinations. The 1.5 hours spent on the business shuttle bus is a precious time for the passengers, a time when they can be alone and undisturbed.
]]>J-PARC Project Newsletter
No.92, October 2023
Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex under joint operation by the
High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) and the Japan Atomic
Energy Agency (JAEA)
http://j-parc.jp/index-e.html
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HEADLINES AND CONTENTS
1. [Overview]
J-PARC STATUS AFTER THE FIRES.
USER'S COUNCIL BY INDUSTRIAL USERS SOCIETY FOR NEUTRON APPLICATION.
PR ACTIVITIES.
2. [Accelerator Division]
SUMMER'S MAINTENANCE IS IN PROGRESS AT THE ACCELERATOR FACILITIES.
THE INTEGRITY OF ALL POWER SUPPLIES WAS INVESTIGATED AND MORE INTERLOCKS WERE REINFORCED.
3. [Particle and Nuclear Physics Division]
ON THE FIRE IN THE POWER SUPPLY BUILDING OF THE HADRON EXPERIMENTAL FACILITY.
PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING.
NEW RESULTS FROM THE KOTO EXPERIMENT.
PREPARING FOR THE UPCOMING NEUTRINO BEAM TIME OF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
STATUS OF THE JSNS2 / JSNS2-II (SEARCH FOR STERILE NEUTRINOS AT J-PARC MLF, E56 / E82)
STATUS OF THE COHERENT MUON TO ELECTRON TRANSITION (COMET)
STATUS OF THE MUON g-2/ ELECTRIC DIPOLE MOMENT (EDM) (E34)
4. [Materials and Life Science Division]
ONGOING MAINTENANCE WORKS DURING THE LONG OUTAGE.
OPERATIONAL SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT PERIOD OF 2023B CYCLE DISCUSSED.
MUON EXPERIMENT PROPOSALS FOR 2023B ROUND.
5. [Nuclear Transmutation Division]
WORKSHOP ON J-PARC PROTON BEAM IRRADIATION FACILITY.
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1. [Overview] by Takashi KOBAYASHI
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J-PARC STATUS AFTER THE FIRES
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As reported in the last issue, we had a fire in the Power Supply Building of the Hadron Experimental Facility on June 22nd (https://j-parc.jp/c/en/information/2023/06/22001172.html), which forced the cancelation of the remaining beam operation before the summer maintenance period. We submitted a first report to the Ibaraki prefecture and Tokai village on June 30th, describing what happened. We conducted a cause investigation, established countermeasures to avoid recurrence, and performed a safety check of all facilities. On September 15th, we held an all-user meeting to present an interim report of all the results and plans. We submitted the final report to the local governments on October 23rd and 24th. We planned to resume MLF/Neutrino operation in late November as scheduled, while the operation of the Hadron Experimental Facility will resume around next spring.
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USER'S COUNCIL MEETING HELD on Aug. 24TH
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We had a user's council meeting on Aug 24th. After a report on J-PARC's status, we reported on the status of responses to last year's user's requests from the council. Then, we heard new or iterating requests from council members. J-PARC will provide answers to these requests and will present them at the next council meeting planned in late FY2023.
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PUBLIC RELATIONS (PR) ACTIVITIES
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In-person PR activities for J-PARC have restarted after being strongly suppressed by the COVID pandemic over the past three years.
On July 1, 2023, J-PARC held a "Special Lecture" for the general public, especially local residents, inviting Professor Kajita, Novel laureate for physics in 2015, as the main speaker. The lecture was held at the Tokai Culture Center and had approximately 400 in-person attendees and 2,700 views on YouTube.
J-PARC has also started a joint project with the village of Tokai to investigate the interior of an ancient tomb located in Tokai village using J-PARC's muon radiography technology. Muon radiography uses cosmic muons to investigate the thickness of an object by measuring the penetration of muons. A unique aspect of this project is that it involves working with local junior high school, high school, and even elementary school students. The project started in FY2023, and during the first half of the year, various lectures were given to the students. Construction of the muon tracking detector will begin in the second half of the year. https://j-parc.jp/symposium/special_lecture2023/
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2. [Accelerator Division] by Michikazu KINSHO
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STATUS OF THE ACCELERATORS
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Futatsukawa, in charge of low-level radio frequency (LLRF) for the J-PARC Linac, received the 19th Particle Accelerator Society of Japan Award for Technological Contribution (http://www.pasj.jp/award.html, in Japanese).
The operation of the J-PARC accelerator was suspended on June 22nd due to a fire, and the summer's maintenance period then started.
Some major tasks in the maintenance period are described below.
In all the Accelerator facilities, to prevent the reoccurrence of the fire, the integrity of all power supplies was investigated, and more interlocks were reinforced.
At the 3-GeV synchrotron (RCS), two conventional radio frequency (RF) cavities are being replaced with a new type of cavities (single-ended cavities) to be completed by mid-October. After finishing this work, three of the 12 conventional RF cavities in the RCS would have been replaced, and the remaining 9 cavities will be done in five years.
At the main ring (MR), a set of power supply systems is being adjusted in parallel with the usual tasks in the maintenance. It is progressing well towards the MR beam study operation in November. An RF cavity was added and the power supply for the RF system was expanded. After these tasks are completed, the MR is expected to be able to stably accelerate beams of 750 kW or more.
The beam tuning at the Linac will start at the beginning of November. The beam operation for the MLF users will start in the middle of November after the beam tuning in the RCS.
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3. [Particle and Nuclear Physics Division]
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ON THE FIRE IN THE POWER SUPPLY BUILDING OF THE HADRON EXPERIMENTAL
FACILITY (by Takeshi KOMATSUBARA)
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As described in [Overview] by the J-PARC Director, we investigated the cause of the fire in the Hadron Power Supply Building on Thursday, June 22nd, countermeasures were established and the final report was submitted to the local governments on October 23rd and 24th.
The user beam time before summer maintenance was reduced from 60 days to 44.5 days for MLF users and from 58 days to 12 days for MR users. After safety check, MLF/Neutrino operation are planned to resume in late November; while countermeasures in the Hadron Experimental Facility will continue; it will take more time to resume the Hadron operation.
We, once again, deeply apologize to the users for the serious delay and reduction of user beam.
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PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING (by Takeshi KOMATSUBARA)
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The 36th Program Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting was held as a hybrid conference on July 19-21. The two fire incidents in this Fiscal Year were explained, the status of the experiments was reported, and prospects for the program from the autumn onwards were discussed. This time two new proposals for experiments with neutron beams at MLF were also submitted.
https://kds.kek.jp/indico/event/47390/
The PAC report will be available through the following web page.
http://j-parc.jp/researcher/Hadron/en/PAC_for_NuclPart_e.html
The next PAC meeting will be held in January 2024.
This meeting was the last one chaired by Dr. Rik Yoshida (Argonne National Laboratory), who has been the PAC chair since April 2018 including during the difficult times of the COVID-19 era. We are sincerely grateful for his dedication to the J-PARC physics program.
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NEW RESULTS FROM THE KOTO EXPERIMENT (by Tadashi NOMURA)
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The E14/KOTO experiment at the Hadron Experimental Facility aims to search for the decay of long-lived neutral kaon into a neutral pion and a neutrino-antineutrino pair. This process breaks CP symmetry and is highly suppressed in the Standard Model, which predicts its branching ratio to be 3e-11. It has not been observed yet experimentally in the world. The key to the success of the experiment is background suppression.
In the analysis of data taken in 2016-18, KOTO found new background sources, the major one of which was a small contamination of charged kaons in the neutral beam. Since then, KOTO has improved the detector and developed new analysis methods to reduce backgrounds. For example, a new charged-particle counter has been installed in 2020 and upgraded in 2021 to detect charged kaons.
KOTO had been carefully analyzing data taken in 2021 and finalized the analysis this summer. The number of background events was estimated to be 0.255, with the single event sensitivity of 8.7e-10. After all the event selections, no signal candidates were observed. As a result, a new upper limit for the branching ratio is set preliminarily to be 2.0e-9 at the 90% confidence level, which is the world-best limit of this search.
KOTO has first reported this result at a KEK IPNS and J-PARC Joint Invited Seminar on September 6. See details in the slides on https://kds.kek.jp/event/47838/.
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PREPARING FOR THE UPCOMING NEUTRINO BEAM TIME OF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
(by Yoshiaki FUJII)
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Though the first beam operation in April was quite short, it gave us precious information on the upgraded/replaced beam line components.
The new electro-magnetic horns for focusing and the new bending magnet for targeting functioned as designed. On the other hand, we could not establish full understanding of the new beam orbit.
The second beam operation scheduled from June 23rd was canceled due to the power supply fire in the Hadron Experimental Facility, and we moved to the summer maintenance period In the summer work, the primary beam line team is focusing their effort on beam monitors and alignment of equipment.
There are three horns installed in the beamline. The new version of the third horn was built at University of Colorado, delivered to J-PARC, and finishing process and final tuning was done. Excitation test is coming soon.
T2K experimental group held a face-to-face collaboration meeting at J-PARC in July, and over 100 members attended. They published a paper on the updated results of the neutrino oscillation analysis. The installation of upgraded detectors at the ND280 site has finally begun. Two Time-of-Flight detectors were installed in July. The bottom High-Angle TPC was delivered to J-PARC in August and successfully installed in September. We will install the SuperFGD in October and close the magnet in November to be ready for the first data taking with upgraded detectors.
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STATUS OF THE JSNS2 / JSNS2-II (SEARCH FOR STERILE NEUTRINOS AT J-PARC MLF, E56 / E82)
(by Takasumi MARUYAMA)
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The JSNS2 (E56) / JSNS2-II (E82) collaboration searches for neutrino oscillation by sterile neutrinos over a short distance at J-PARC MLF.
For JSNS2, the fourth long physics run from Dec-2023 to June-2024 using a single near detector located on the third floor of MLF is being prepared. For JSNS2-II, a new far detector is under construction. 172 10-inch PMTs out of 228 in total, which corresponds to all PMTs except for the cosmic ray veto region, were installed in the far detector by end of Aug-2023. The acrylic I-Beams which are the support structure of the acrylic tank were installed in the detector in advance. The installation of the acrylic tank will be performed soon. JSNS2-II aims to start the data taking within FY2023.
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STATUS OF THE COHERENT MUON TO ELECTRON TRANSITION (COMET) (by Satoshi MIHARA)
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The COMET experiment aims to search for the lepton-flavor violating muon reaction, mu-e conversion, with a sensitivity better than 10-14 in Phase I. In February and March 2023, the COMET group carried out an engineering run, called Phase alpha, to measure the behavior of the proton beam and of the secondary particles. Detailed data analysis is in progress to evaluate muon momentum distribution produced backward by 8GeV proton beam.
In parallel to this activity, facility construction continues. The capture solenoid magnet used to collect pions and transport them to the beam transport magnet is assembled at the manufacturer. Withstand voltage test was repeated to confirm the coil secureness before the final assembly in the cryostat. The detector solenoid construction is in progress to be installed in the COMET experiment area in 2024. Conditionings/setups of Phase I detectors such as Cylindrical Drift Chamber, Cylindrical Trigger Hodoscope, Straw-tube tracker, and LYSO calorimeter are in progress at J-PARC and collaborating institutes.
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STATUS OF THE MUON g-2/ ELECTRIC DIPOLE MOMENT (EDM) (E34) (by Tsutomu MIBE)
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The E34 collaboration aims for precision measurements of the muon anomalous magnetic moment and its electric dipole moment. The collaboration worked on magnetic field monitor in the vicinity of the muonium production target as well as data analysis of the laser ionization of muonium at the MLF S2 area. Preparation for the laser room as well as the platform for the RF power supplies are in progress. The engineering design of the MLF extension building, the H-line experimental bldg., is in progress.
The collaboration submitted a document to summarize the replies to the comments and recommendations of the IPNS progress review committee for the muon g-2/EDM experiment.
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4. [Materials and Life Science Division]
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Neutron Source; ONGOING MAINTENANCE WORKS DURING THE LONG OUTAGE (by Katsuhiro HAGA)
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The beam operation of MLF ended on June 22nd and the maintenance works during the long outage started. On July 6th, the used mercury target vessel, which was in operation from 2017 to 2018, was transported from MLF to the storage building, (the so-called RAM building) where a total of 6 used target vessels are stored by now.
On September 4th, specimens were cut out successfully from the fore front wall of the used target vessel which was operated for the long-term user program with the highest beam intensity recorded of 950 kW, for the beam power at the outlet of RCS. The maximum damage depth on the specimens will be measured soon and the beam power for the next user program will be decided. On September 13th, the used mercury target vessel was replaced with a new one which had the improved structure of the mercury flow channel. That is to say, the bubble generator was split into two parts and the position was moved forward by 200 mm to get closer to the beam window. It enables the bubble number density to be larger near the beam window contributing to less pitting damage on the inner wall to allow for beam operation with higher power.
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Neutron Instruments and Science; OPERATIONAL SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT PERIOD OF 2023B CYCLE DISCUSSED
2023B CYCLE DISCUSSED (by Mitsutaka NAKAMURA)
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The 2023A operation was forced to stop beam delivery on June 22nd due to a fire incident at Hadron facility. Initially the experimental period was scheduled to end on June 26th. Then, the period of long summer shut down started. The good news is that neutron users are totally back after COVID-19 disaster. 289 neutron experiments proposals for next operation cycle 2023B, were submitted. 175 proposals have been approved for the next operational time of 80 days in the period of 2023B. Though we have only limited beam time, all the operational schedule has been discussed at the MLF Advisory Board on August 29th.
The 6th Annual Meeting on Industrial Application for Neutron was held at the Convention Hall in Akihabara on the 13th and14th of July. In order to respond to requests from the industrial community (to know what we can see and how we can use neutrons and muons), the main purpose is the matching what the industrial community would like to see to what we can see with neutrons and muons. The meeting was held in a hybrid format with 225 (on-site) and 114 (online) participants.
Recent press releases from MLF:
BL15 TAIKAN on Aug. 22
"Polarized Neutrons Observed Nanometer-thick Crystalline Ice Plates in Frozen Glucose Solution"
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01448
BL19 TAKUMI on Aug. 15
"Strengthening of a Mg and Long-period Stacking Ordered Phases in a Mg-Zn-Y Allow by Hot-extrusion with Low Extrusion Ratio"
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2023.119029
BL02 DNA on Jul. 26
"Quasi-elastic Neutron Scattering Studies on Fast Dynamics of Water Molecules in Tetra-n-butylammonium Bromide Semiclathrate Hydrate"
https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0157560
BL09 SPICA on Jul. 7
"New Design Rule for High-entropy Superionic Solid-State Conductors"
https://www.j-parc.jp/c//en/press-release/2023/07/07001178.html
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Muon Science Facility (MUSE); MUON EXPERIMENT PROPOSALS FOR 2023B ROUND (by Naritoshi KAWAMURA)
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The new proposal round 2023B is for the period from November to March 2024. The Muon Science Proposal Review Committee (MSPRC) meeting reviewed 64 proposals; 34 were approved, 25 reserved, and the remainder not approved; 4 proposals categorized in the carry-over category are to be performed also in the 2023B cycle.
The user experiments were smoothly performed before the stoppage due to the fire incident in the Hadron facility. The canceled users' programs for about a week will be compensated in the 2023B cycle as carry-over programs. The issue prompted an emergency security survey of the magnet power supplies and other electrical equipment in MUSE by the beginning of August. So far, the 2023B cycle is planned to start as scheduled.
In the S line, the Kapton debris left in the beamline were retrieved,. The fracturing of the Kapton foil separating the primary and the secondary beamline vacuum caused the operation to stop for a month last year. A detailed analysis will be performed on the collected debris to determine the origin of the breaking to prevent its recurrence.
The 19th PASJ (Particle Accelerator Society of Japan) Award for Research Encouragement was awarded to Dr. Yuga Nakazawa for "Development of a muon linac for the J-PARC muon g−2/EDM experiment".
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5. [Nuclear Transmutation Division]by Shin-ichiro MEIGO
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WORKSHOP ON J-PARC PROTON BEAM IRRADIATION FACILITY
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On July 27, a workshop on "J-PARC Proton Beam Irradiation Facility" was held as an in-person and online hybrid mode. There were 94 participants, with 32 in-person and 62 online. After addressing the status of nuclear transmutation research and the primary mission of the facility to promote that research, the expectations and needs of the facility were presented for four potential research fields, i.e., material irradiation damage, semiconductor soft error testing, RI production for medical applications, and proton beam applications. The needs of the user community of this facility, which were established after a previous workshop held last year, coupled with additional needs presented in this workshop, were discussed. The current status of the facility design to satisfy the users' needs was presented. In the end, the road map for the construction of the facility was discussed.
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6. [Editorial Note]
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Past issues are available from the link below.
http://j-parc.jp/c/en/topics/project-newsletter/index.html
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┃ Editorial Board:
┃ Hidetomo OGURI (Chair) : oguri.hidetomo[at]jaea.go.jp
┃ Katsuhiro SHINTO: shinto.katsuhiro[at]jaea.go.jp
┃ Kyoichiro OZAWA: ozawa[at]post.kek.jp
┃ Kyoko AIZAWA: akyouko[at]post.j-parc.jp
┃ Hayanori TAKEI: takei.hayanori[at]jaea.go.jp
┃ Jean-Michel POUTISSOU (English Editor): jmp[at]triumf.ca
┃ Chiaki SHIRAISHI (Secretary): shiraishi.chiaki[at]jaea.go.jp
┃ * Please replace "(at)" with "@" when you enter an email address.
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-Neutron Observation of Water Molecule Dynamics in Semiclathrate Hydrate -(July 26th)
It is already known that ions in the aqueous solution can promote or suppress the reorientation of hydrogen bonds of water. However, how ions and water molecules interact inside solid electrolytes has not been elucidated.
A research group from Osaka University, Kobe University, and Kyoto University measured QENS of tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) semiclathrate hydrate, using the neutron spectrometer "DNA" at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) in the J-PARC to elucidate the dynamics of water in TBAB the semiclathrate hydrate.
Detailed analysis revealed that a high proton conductivity of the TBAB semiclathrate hydrate originated from the rapid reorientation of water molecules around the bromide ion in a much shorter time than had been expected from the other experimental result.
The research contributes to new design guidelines for developing battery materials and sensors that utilize water molecules in the framework of semiclathrate hydrates. The search for ions that promote the migration of hydrogen ions (i.e., increase their conductivity) will be a key to further developments.
For more details, please visit our home page.
https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/07/26001183.html (only in Japanese)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0157560
■Elucidation of Strengthening Mechanism of High-strength Magnesium Alloy Developed in Japan
-In situ neutron diffraction experiment revealed the behavior of each constituent phase during deformation-(August 15th)
A research group from JAEA, J-PARC, and Kumamoto University has elucidated the mechanism by which a high-strength magnesium alloy (Mg97Zn1Y2 alloy, hereafter referred to LPSO-Mg alloy) was greatly enhanced in strength by hot-extrusion process.
The high-strength LPSO-Mg alloy developed by Kumamoto University consists of the α matrix (αMg) with HCP crystal structure and a long-period stacking ordered phase (LPSO phase). LPSO-Mg alloy is expected to be applied to structural materials in automobiles and aircraft due to the light-weight and the significant increase in the strength by hot-extrusion. However, the mechanism of the significant increase in the strength was not understood well.
Therefore, in this study, the research group conducted in situ neutron diffraction measurements during deformation of LPSO-Mg alloy using the high-performance engineering materials diffractometer "TAKUMI" at MLF in J-PARC. Specimens of LPSO-Mg alloy extruded at different extrusion ratios at high temperatures were examined. Taking advantage of the neutron’s ability to penetrate deep into a sample and see the internal atomic arrangement, the research group succeeded in measuring the behavior of each constituent phase in the LPSO-Mg alloy in detail. The developed in situ neutron diffraction measurement and analysis method, which can be used without interrupting the deformation process, also enabled detailed observations for the first time.
The analysis showed that αMg behaved as the softer phase and the LPSO phase behaved as the harder phase in the alloy, but both were strengthened by hot-extrusion. At the specimen with a low extrusion ratio, the αMg phase composed of dual-microstructures with different morphologies, in which both increased the strength largely, increasing the overall strength of the alloy. The strength increase of αMg phase surprisingly exceeded the strength increase of the LPSO phase.
Insights from this study suggests that when microstructures with different morphologies exist within a particular constituent phase of the alloy, we should also consider the individual stresses of the microstructure, not as the phase average only. In the development of magnesium alloys, controlling the microstructural morphology of the αMg opens up the possibility of simultaneously improvement of strength and ductility, which will provide significant guidance for future design and optimization of high-temperature processing.
For more details, please visit our home page.
https://j-parc.jp/c/press-release/2023/08/15001190.html (only in Japanese)
DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2023.119029
■J-PARC Hello Science “Muon Now Cooling” on July 28th
This month's Hello Science was presented by Dr. Tsutomu MIBE of the Hadron Section, who introduced the muon cooling technique and the precise measurement of the anomalous magnetic moment ("g-2") performed with this technique.
Conventionally, particle physics research has evolved through a process of first developing a theory that expresses the observed facts, then comparing the predictions based on that theory with new experimental results, and revising the theory if there is a discrepancy. Today, almost all predictions of the standard model of particle physics agree with experimental results. However, some phenomena, such as the disappearance of antimatter from the universe, cannot be explained. In April 2021, the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory announced that they had found an unresolved discrepancy between experimental values of the muon g-2 and the standard model, which could be a sign of an unknown theory.
Scientists at J-PARC are preparing to measure g-2 using new experimental techniques.
They have succeeded in producing muonium, a bound state between positive muons (μ+) and electrons (e-), by slowing down muons using the world's first laser hole-processed silica aerogel and producing muonium with an energy reduction of eight orders of magnitude, or cold muons. The cooling calms the muon motion and allows nearly all the muons to be injected into the accelerating cavity, allowing the muons to accelerate.
In the near future, the research group plans to conduct the world's first test of cold muon acceleration. By combining new techniques for cooling, accelerating, and storing muons, they plan to make ultra-precise measurements of g-2 in an experimental device one-twentieth the size of the current one, and to obtain evidence of whether or not there is a break in standard theory.
■J-PARC's Classes on Demand at Tsuyama National College of Technology and Toyota National College of Technology (July 12 and 13)
The lecturer was Dr. Masashi Otani of the Accelerator Section VII, who gave lessons on "Accelerator Mechanisms to See the Microscopic World: Muon Accelerator Technology for Seeing Through from Elementary Particle Phenomena to Large Structures." Twenty-nine students from grades one to five at Tsuyama National College of Technology and ten third-graders from the regular course at Toyota National College of Technology participated in each class.
Dr. Otani introduced the mechanism of accelerators, their medical and industrial applications, and research on physical properties and elementary particles using muons. In a questionnaire after the lecture, participants commented: "This lecture made me more interested in elementary particles" and "I would like to learn about the production of accelerators." It must have been a good opportunity for students to get interested in elementary particles and accelerators.
■Director made a lecture at the Junior High School he graduated (July 14)
The J-PARC Director, Takashi Kobayashi, gave a lecture at his alma mater, Ochiai Junior High School in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture with a total of about 300 students. Ochiai Junior High School is located in a quiet mountainous area in the northern part of Okayama Prefecture. Almost all the students gathered in the auditorium to listen to the lecture titled "Secrets of the Big Universe, Secrets of the Microscopic World, and Accelerators."
After explaining the size of the universe, Dr. Kobayashi talked about small elementary particles and explained that an accelerator is needed to see elementary particles. He then introduced J-PARC's features and role as the world's most powerful accelerator. He shared a story about how he fell in love with science through a science comic book and borrowed books from the Ochiai Community Center library, sending the message that he hopes this class will spark everyone's interest in science.
■Eco Fes Hitachi 2023 (July 22, at Hitachi Civic Center)
J-PARC Center exhibited at "Eco Fes Hitachi 2023 - Let's find out what we can do to create a 'decarbonized city'" held by Hitachi City at Hitachi Civic Center. Eco Fes Hitachi is an event where people can learn about environmental issues through experiments and hands-on experiences. About 250 people visited the J-PARC Center's booth despite the scorching weather. The superconducting coaster created by the Cryogenics Section of J-PARC Center was the most popular attraction this year, also. Superconductors cooled down to nearly -200℃ glided along the rails like a roller coaster while levitating a few mm above the magnetic rails. When J-PARC staff explained that this superconducting technology is also used in the accelerator facilities at J-PARC, some visitors said they would love to visit and see the accelerator facilities in person.
■Tokai-mura Enjoy Summer School 2023 (July 25, August 1 and 9 at Tokai-mura Library)
Tokai-mura Board of Education organized "Enjoy Summer School" for elementary school students in the village. The J-PARC Center held a series of experimental classes titled "Let's make a spinning top that spins while tilted!" Thirty-seven students joined them for three days in total.
Even when the magnets and coils were separated, the children observed how they interacted with each other due to the flowing current.On crafting spinning tops, children investigated how the motion of the spinning axis, precession, changed when the center of gravity was changed. Then, they were into finding the center of gravity position where the precession did not occur.
The elementary particles studied at J-PARC move like spinning tops under the influence of magnetic forces. We hope students took this opportunity to learn that many phenomena can be connected to science if we carefully observe familiar objects.
■Joint Project “Muographic Investigation of Ancient Burial Mounds in Tokai”
- Children observed cosmic ray muons with self-built detectors (August 3rd, 6th, 8th)
Thirty-one students of elementary through high schools experienced building muon detectors, and they succeeded in observing the cosmic ray muon with their self-built detectors. This event was held on August 3rd, 6th, and 8th at Tokai village museum, as the 5th in a series of joint projects between Tokai Village, J-PARC Center, Ibaraki University, and Tokyo Metropolitan University.
When a cosmic ray collides with the Earth's atmosphere, muons are created and travel to the ground. They emit light as they pass through the scintillator. The light is collected with an optical fiber, detected by a photo-sensor, and measured with an oscilloscope.
First, the attendees passed an optical fiber through each of two transparent plastic scintillator plates and covered them entirely with a black sheet. Next, they assembled the circuit, connected the cable from the photo-sensor to the readout board, and wired it up to the oscilloscope. The processes ranged from the large-scale assembly of scintillators nearly one meter long, to the delicate work of connecting small circuits, and adjusting the oscilloscopes used for cutting-edge experiments at J-PARC. Due to the complexity of the process, in addition to the staff of the Community House and J-PARC, students from Ibaraki University also participated as supporting staff, and the children received advices from them while working on this program.
The two blue and yellow lines in the oscilloscope in the last photo are signals from the optical fibers in the two scintillators. Both pulses indicate that cosmic ray muons have been detected. Since the two scintillators emit light simultaneously, this shows that they are capturing cosmic ray muons and not just noise.
It was a new experiment for the organizers to have the children build their own detectors and use them to measure cosmic ray muons. This must have been a very valuable experience for the children.
■Sanpomichi #37 -Scorpios and Anti-Scorpios-
This photo is of the summer night sky taken from Lake Sohara in Urabandai. The location is at a high altitude, and there are almost no lights around so you can find stars down to 6th magnitude with the naked eye. In addition, the Milky Way passes over Mt. Bandaisan with so many stars visible that it is difficult to see Scorpius in the sky. Instead, the surface of the lake erases the extra stars, and only the main stars from the reddish first magnitude star Antares to the tail of Scorpius are reflected in a beautiful inverted S-curve, making it clear that the stars in the sky are the constellation Scorpius.
The photographer humbly says, "This photograph is the result of chance.” However, to take this picture, all the conditions had to be right: the season, the time of day, the humidity, the atmospheric pressure, the presence of the moon, and the brightness of the cities of Aizu Wakamatsu and Koriyama stretching beyond the horizon.
When the universe was born, an equal amount of matter and antimatter were created, then matter and antimatter collided and destroyed each other, but in the current universe antimatter has almost disappeared and only matter remains. Matter and antimatter are not perfectly symmetrical, and there seems to be a difference somewhere. To confirm the identity of this difference, J-PARC is investigating CP violation.
It is like that Scorpius in the sky and Scorpius Anti-Scorpius reflected on the lake's surface symbolize CP symmetry breaking. J-PARC will pursue the grand romance of the story of the creation of the universe by creating a large number of particles and antiparticles and studying the differences in their decay and other changes.
]]>Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics, Dr. Takaaki KAJITA, And Other Scientists Give Science Talks (on July 1, at Tokai Cultural Center and live-streamed on YouTube)
A special lecture entitled "The Hyper-Kamiokande Project Finally Begins" was held.
A total of 348 people came to the Tokai Cultural Center, and many people also watched the event via live streaming.
The lecture was moderated by Arisa Kuroda, a personality who had majored in physics, and began with opening remarks by Takashi Kobayashi, Director of J-PARC, and Osamu Yamada, Mayor of Tokai village.
At the beginning of the lecture, Dr. Takaaki KAJITA, who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2015, a President of the Science Council of Japan, a Distinguished Professor and a Special University Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo, and a Professor of the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, explained the discovery of neutrinos, the existence of mass of neutrino, and the mechanism of neutrino oscillation, along with the historical background, in a talk entitled "The Mystery of Neutrinos". Next, Dr. Ken Sakashita, Neutrino Section Leader, gave a talk entitled "Neutrinos Made at J-PARC," introducing neutrino research at J-PARC and explaining plans for upgrading the experimental facilities in the Hyper-Kamiokande project and the expected results. Subsequently, Dr. Atsuko Ichikawa, Professor of the Graduate School of Science and Faculty of Science, Tohoku University, gave a talk entitled "Secrets of the Universe Explored by the Hyper-Kamiokande," introducing the progress of the construction of the Hyper-Kamiokande and how the completion of upgrading the facility will accelerate research on CP violation and other topics.
The panelists, including the speakers, were asked many questions during the question-and-answer session that followed the talks. For example, a fifth grader in elementary school asked, "Why do neutrinos, which have no electric charge, changes to subatomic particles with non-zero electric charge when they collide with atomic nuclei?" The panelists responded in an understandable manner with sincerity. Finally, the panelists and the audience participants, ranging from elementary to high school students, were photographed together on the stage.
Before this event, Dr. Tetsuro Sekiguchi of the Neutrino Section gave lectures entitled "Shoot Neutrinos into Hyper-Kamiokande!" at Tokai Junior High School and Tokai Minami Junior High School. Some of the students who heard his lecture visited and joined this special event.
Please watch the J-PARC Special Lecture 2023 archive at the following link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brg1Tapv3jw (only in Japanese)
■Dr. Kenta FUTATSUKAWA Receives Award for Technological Contribution from Particle Accelerator Society of Japan
Dr. Kenta FUTATSUKAWA of the Accelerator Division received the 19th PASJ Award for Technological Contribution for his feat of "Research and development of beam loading compensation system in high-currency pulsed proton beam linear accelerator." The beam loading compensation system is one of the most important functions for stable beam provision in high-current pulsed-beam linear accelerators such as the Linac at J-PARC. As a result of this research, it is expected that the beam loss will be suppressed at most, while the beam energy in the pulse will be uniformly adjusted and higher quality proton beams will be provided.
■New Direction for Solid-State Batteries Shown by World's Highest Conductivity Lithium-Ion Conductor
-A lithium superionic conductor for millimeter-thick battery electrode opens a way to realize new generation solid-state batteries-(June 7th)
The research team from Tokyo Institute of Technology, KEK, University of Tokyo, and J-PARC developed a solid-state electrolyte with the world's highest lithium-ion conductivity. Solid-state lithium batteries, which replace presently used electrolytes with noncombustible ones, are expected to make the battery safer from leakage and fire hazards and provide superior energy and performance characteristics.
By increasing the compositional complexity while maintaining the crystal structure of existing Li ionic conductors, new materials have been developed that provide 2.3 to 3.8 times the ionic conductivity of the original materials in the temperature range from -50°C to 55°C. Being measured and analyzed by neutron diffraction at J-PARC, the crystal structure of this new material was found to be as expected.
By using the new material developed in this research as a solid electrolyte, a 1 mm thick film was realized to extract about 90% of the theoretical energy at 25°C room temperature. The capacity per electrode area increased 1.8 times that of conventional solid-state batteries. In addition, the solid-state thick-film Li-metal anode battery with a combination of thick-film electrodes and Li-metal anode has raised expectations that a solid-state battery with features not found in current Li-ion batteries may be feasible.
This research result provides new guidance for next-generation energy storage devices that are key to the success of electric vehicles and smart grids.
For more details, please visit the following link.
https://j-parc.jp/c/en/press-release/2023/07/07001178.html
■2023 Neutron Industrial Application Report Meeting Held on July 13 and 14 (at Akihabara Convention Hall and partly online)
This report meeting focuses on matching the industry's requests and the industrial applications of neutrons and muons provided at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) of J-PARC and the research reactor JRR-3.
The 6th annual event was held at the Akihabara Convention Hall, and 225 people attended over the two days at the venue.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of establishing the Industrial Users Society for Neutron Application. In addition to reviewing the progress to date, there were reports on achievements in a wide range of industries, from space science to polymers, biomaterials, metallic materials, and carbon neutrality, as well as efforts to address various issues, which were followed by a lively question-and-answer session.
■Ibaraki Prefectural Namiki Secondary School SSH* Event Held (June 23)
This event was held under the theme of "Discussion with J-PARC researchers 〜From general topics to cutting-edge science," and 15 students, equivalent to those in the first grade of junior high school through the second grade of high school, participated in the event.
The lecturer was Akihiko Miura of the Administration and Operations Support Division (concurrently in charge of Accelerator Section III), who introduced the characteristics of X-rays, neutrons, and muons, as well as J-PARC facilities, research, and roles in society. After that, the lecturer and students engaged in a lively discussion about the significance of learning science in group sessions. Some students asked questions such as what motivated them to decide on a career path, which is a common question among students preparing for university entrance exams.
This project was the brainchild of the Namiki Secondary School Student Council. Students commented, we have rarely had a chance to talk to researchers, so this was a new experience for us."
※The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology designates high schools that offer advanced science and mathematics education as "Super Science High Schools" in order to develop human resources in science and technology who can play active roles internationally in the future.
■GSA Science Seminar (July 15, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture)
GSA (Geospace Adventure) is an underground exploration event that utilizes the actual tunnel of the Kamioka Mine and cutting-edge research facilities for astrophysics, such as Super-Kamiokande. This year, the event was held for the first time in four years, and 1,078 people applied for the 150-person limit. As part of the event, a KAGURA & J-PARC Science Seminar was held at the Kamioka-cho Community Center, with 43 people attending in the morning session and 32 in the afternoon. In the J-PARC seminar, which was entitled "Want to see? Want to know? J-PARC", Dr. Tatsuya Uzumaki of JAEA (formerly of the J-PARC Public Relations Section) explained that the neutrinos being launched into Super-Kamiokande are produced at J-PARC. A participant asked, "J-PARC can accelerate proton beams, but not neutrons because they have no electric charge?" and other questions. Moreover, visitors were given an overview of J-PARC at the poster exhibition corner.
■Sanpomichi#36 -Haniwa in Tokai Village-
The following photo shows haniwa, clay figures, excavated from the schoolyard of Ishigami Elementary School in Tokai Village. The left one is a male, and the right one is a female. Both are estimated to have been made in the 6th century. In contrast to the charming haniwa with wide-open eyes and mouths that we generally describe in minds, both have neat faces with slit eyes and straight noses. They are not just artifacts from excavations but are worthy of being works of art by the criteria of the value of modern people. They are made of reddish soil mixed with white stones. Clay strings shaping rings were piled up to form the foundation of the hollow face, then the face's surface was stroked and contoured, and finally, holes were drilled for the eyes and mouth, showing the extremely advanced production techniques of that time.
Tokai Village Board of Education and J-PARC Center sponsor " Muographic Investigation of Ancient Burial Mounds in Tokai." While J-PARC aims to generate the world's most intense muon beams and gain new insights into materials and life sciences, it also explores the inside of the ancient tomb and historic culture with children.
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