■  Outcomes    ●Direct Observation of Magnetic Field of Electric Motor (EM) Using Polarized Pulse Neutrons       In recent years, research projects contributing to improvement of product performance and sophistication have been carried out through collaborations between private sector companies, research institutions and universities. These projects have been based on the development and practical application of new quantum beam technology using a combination of neutron spectroscopy imaging technique, muon beams and X-rays. In the last fiscal year, as part of efforts to develop technology for direct observation of the magnetic fields of an EM on the MLF neutron beamline (BL10), J-PARC and Hitachi, Ltd. succeeded in visualizing the magnetic field direction distribution inside an EM by carrying out tests using a model motor. Based on these experimental results, if it is achieved goals such as reducing energy loss through approaches like optimizing motor design, it should be possible to contribute to a reduction in power of motors, which accounts for much of the total annual power consumption in Japan. * Click here to enlarge. * Click here to enlarge.    ▲to Page Top    ●Prof. Takashi Kobayashi Jointly Receives the 6th Yoji Totsuka Memorial Prize       Professor Takashi Kobayashi, Head of the Particle & Nuclear Physics Division of J-PARC, Professor Tsuyoshi Nakaya of Kyoto University, and Professor Masato Shiozawa of the University of Tokyo jointly received the 6th Yoji Totsuka Memorial Prize for their work in discovering the electron neutrino appearance phenomenon from muon neutrino beams produced by accelerator. This prize is awarded to researchers in the basic science field who make outstanding experimental or theoretical contributions to elementary particle research using colliding- beam accelerators, accelerator research for that purpose, neutrino research and non-accelerator elementary particle research.    ▲to Page Top

■  Safety at J-PARC    ●J-PARC Safety Meeting (February 3)       Due to the fire incident at the MLF, the J-PARC Center held an emergency safety meeting for all persons engaged in work at J-PARC. Reports were given on the incident situation and cause, measures to prevent recurrence, implementation of safety checks. Safety measures when introducing new equipment, as in this case, or when conducting field tests, were confirmed, together with the understanding of all participants.    * Click here to enlarge.       ▲to Page Top

■  Facility Updates    ●Held International Advisory Committee (IAC) and Other Meetings (February 5-17)       In order to carry out a review from an international perspective of J-PARC facilities, operations, and related issues, experts were invited from both inside and outside Japan. During the period of February 5-17 meetings were held by the Accelerator Advisory Committee (A-TAC), Neutron Advisory Committee (NAC), Muon Advisory Committee (MAC), and the J-PARC International Advisory Committee (IAC) which carries out overall review of J-PARC activities. These committees assessed our facilities as being world-class, and expressed views such as their expectation of stable operations, with close attention to safety. * Click here to enlarge.    ▲to Page Top    ●T2K Collaboration Meeting (February 2-7)       This meeting was held at the Ibaraki Quantum Beam Research Center in Tokai Village, with the participation of about 180 attendees including researchers from oversea. There were reports on the acquisition of experimental data since the end of last year using the antineutrino production mode, and lively discussions of topics including the future outlook, and progress in analysis.       Takashi Kobayashi, Head of the Particle & Nuclear Physics Division of J-PARC, finished his term as a representative of the T2K experiment group, and from the 17th was succeeded by Professor Tsuyoshi Nakaya of Kyoto University.    * Click here to enlarge.    ▲to Page Top

■  Outreach    ●Calligraphy Class for Foreign Researchers (February 6)       This calligraphy class was held at the KEK Tokai Dormitory, with the cooperation of the Tokai-mura International Center (TIC) and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). The event was planned to coincide with the T2K Collaboration Meeting, and there were 32 participants from 11 countries. While looking at samples of kanji (Chinese characters), the participants practiced under the guidance of teachers from calligraphy clubs of TIC and JAEA. At the end, each participant wrote one favorite character on a special paper. Their works were displayed at the venue, and later taken home by the participants as mementos of this fun event. * Click here to enlarge. * Click here to enlarge.    ▲to Page Top