■  Outcomes & Achievements    ●Takashi Kobayashi, Head of the Particle & Nuclear Physics Division, Jointly Received the Nishina Memorial Prize 2014!       Dr.Takashi Kobashi, Head of the Particle & Nuclear Physics Division at J-PARC and Professor of High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), and Professor Tsuyoshi Nakaya of Kyoto University received the Nishina Memorial Prize 2014 for their achievement in discovering the phenomenon in which electron neutrinos appear from a beam of muon neutrinos. The Nishina Memorial Prize is awarded to researchers who have achieved outstanding research results relating to atomic physics and its applications.       In the T2K (Tokai-to-Kamioka) experiment, an international collaboration in which approximately 500 researchers are participating from 11 countries throughout the world, Prof. Kobayashi has guided the experimental group as its representative in his role as Division Head, and Professor Nakaya has played a leading role as the Physical Analysis Coordinator. The discovery recognized by this award (detailed in a July 19 2013's press release) shows the possibility of experimentally elucidating the difference in properties between particles and antiparticles (CP symmetry breaking) among neutrinos, which is thought to hold the key to solving the riddle of the origin of matter in the universe. * Click here to enlarge.    ▲to Page Top    ●Successful First Beam Extraction from Pulsed Neutron Imaging Instrument       On November 7, neutron beam extraction was successfully achieved for the first time at the world's first Energy Resolved Neutron Imaging System (BL22:RADEN), which has been newly installed at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility. RADEN is a system which enables non-destructive observation inside matter using neutron beams. A facility inspection was also carried out at the same time by the Nuclear Safety Technology Center, an acting agency of the national government which carries out safety review. The photo on the right is a neutron transmission image of fresh flowers, obtained with RADEN. * Click here to enlarge.* Click here to enlarge.    * Click here to enlarge.    ▲to Page Top    ●Research Scientist, Hitoshi Sugimura, Received the Young Researcher Award at the 21st Nuclear Experimental Physics Forum for his Research on Hypernuclei       Dr.Hitoshi Sugimura, Research Scientist at the JAEA's Advanced Science Research Center, received the Young Researcher Award at the Nuclear Experimental Physics Forum for the results of experiments conducted from December 2012 to January 2013 at the Hadron Experimental Facility of J-PARC. The award recognized Dr.Sugimura's new findings in his experimental search for 6ΛH neutron-rich hypernuclei using the high-intensity π-meson beam at J-PARC. Normally, if neutrons (n) are added to the nucleus of a hydrogen atom with a single proton (p), the result will be deuterium and tritium. In this experiment, a lambda particle nbsp;(Λ)  is added, in addition to a 1 proton and 4 neutrons, thereby creating an artificial particle (lambda hypernucleus, 6ΛH). In this way, it was investigated in what form a lambda particle can be placed into an atomic nucleus.       It is expected that, by carrying out the analysis of neutron-rich atomic nuclei in this way, it would be possible to obtain clues for elucidating the internal structure of neutron stars, which survive as the remains of supernova explosions. * Click here to enlarge.    ▲to Page Top

■  Facility Updates    ●Completion of Tokai Dormitory Ⅱ Building       The 51-room expansion of the Tokai Dormitory facilities for lodging of J-PARC users has been completed, and the number of rooms has been doubled to 100. Use of the new rooms has begun since November 1. This has made it possible to accommodate more users. * Click here to enlarge.    ▲to Page Top          (1) At the Accelerator Facility, accelerator study and beam commissioning were performed, and supply of beams to each experimental facility was resumed.       (2)  At the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF), user operation was resumed from the 4th of November. Also, on the 7th, an inspection was conducted of facilities such as the new BL22 neutron beamline (RADEN), and the muon S line.       (3) The T2K experiment was resumed on the 2nd of November at the Neutrino Experimental Facility.       (4) Radiation monitoring system was improved at the Hadron Experimental Facility. * Click here to enlarge.    ▲to Page Top

■  Safety at J-PARC    ●Seventh Meeting of External Expert Panel to Review the Accident at the J-PARC Hadron Experimental Facility       On October 29, the 7th External Expert Panel to review the radioactive material leak accident at the J-PARC Hadron Experimental Facility was held in Tokyo. The J-PARC Center reported on topics such as the safety management system review and facility renovation work based on the measures to prevent recurrence submitted by the panel in August of last year. As a result of a general review, it was confirmed that efforts are being properly carried out, and that restarting facilities is appropriate. The panel proposed that we explain matters to local residents and obtain their understandings, and that we ensure continued awareness of crisis management. * Click here to enlarge.    ▲to Page Top

■  Outreach Activities    ●Tsukuba Science Festival       On November 8-9, the Tsukuba Science Festival was held as a hands-on event for enjoying science under the sponsorship of the Tsukuba City Board of Education, with exhibits by about 60 groups including schools and research institutions in Tsukuba City. As part of the festival, a T2K Experiment exhibit entitled "A mysterious particle, the neutrino : An Experiment Probing its Mysteries" and an exhibit called "Fun Laboratory : Observing Radiation in a Cloud Chamber and Superconducting Roller Coaster" were held in connection with J-PARC. Researchers involved with neutrinos and the KEK Cryogenics Science Center provided the explanations and demonstrations in the event hall. A total of more than 17,000 people visited the festival over two days, and our experiment booths were bustling with many children and families throughout the event.    ▲to Page Top