| ■ J-PARC News - July 2015 (Issue #123) |
| ●ANNOUNCEMENT OF FIRST MEASUREMENT RESULTS ON THE ELECTRON ANTINEUTRINO APPEARANCE PHENOMENON IN THE T2K EXPERIMENT |
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| The T2K international collaboration (Tokai to Kamioka long baseline neutrino experiment) has announced its first measurement results on the electron antineutrino appearance phenomenon, in which muon antineutrinos change to electron antineutrinos mid-flight. The result was announced at the European Physical Society Conference on High Energy Physics, held in Vienna on July 23. In Japan, a KEK Physics Seminar was held on the 24th, with the J-PARC Research Building as the main venue, and a report was presented by Dr. Hidekazu Tanaka of the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo. For details, please see : http://www2.kek.jp/ipns/articles/t2k-antinue-first-result/english.html |
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| On July 20 in Australia, the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), and ANSTO concluded an agreement on mutual cooperation in the field of neutron science. ANSTO has the high-performance research reactor, Open Pool Australian Lightwater (OPAL) reactor and based on their many years of experience, they have made numerous findings in areas such as sample environment equipment. They also have a high international profile, attracting many neutron users. J-PARC, on the other hand, has the world's highest intensity pulsed neutron beam and high-performance neutron scattering instruments. Based on this agreement, the parties will deepen research exchanges, and mutually promote creation of new results. The signing ceremony for this five-year agreement was held at the opening of an international conference (AOCNS 2015) attended by many researchers using neutrons from Asia and Oceania. |
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| The 2nd Asia-Oceania Conference on Neutron Scattering (AOCNS 2015) was held from July 19 to 23 in Sidney, Australia, and was attended by about 280 participants. There were about 60 participants from Japan, including J-PARC users and staff. Every day there were talks and discussions packed with information, on topics ranging from science to technology development, and trends at the world's neutron beam facilities. This international conference held by the Asia-Oceania Neutron Scattering Association (AONSA) was started in 2011 when the first conference was held (by the J-PARC Center and other members) in Tsukuba, Japan. It has been decided that the next conference in 2019 will be held in Kenting, Taiwan. |
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| This meeting was held at the J-PARC Research Building on June 25-27. About 50 researchers participated in the conference, from 5 countries and 18 institutions. To begin, the Director of the J-PARC Center, Dr. Naohito Saito, gave a welcome message, and then various speakers reported on and exchanged views regarding plans for precision measurement of the anomalous magnetic moment (g-2) and the electric dipole moment (EDM) of muons using ultra-cold muon beams. In addition, information was provided on the construction situation of the H line of the Muon Experimental Facility of the MLF where these experiments are scheduled to be carried out. In the afternoon of the first day, there was a tour of the MLF, and locations such as the construction site of the H line, where the g-2/EDM experiment is being planned. Specifics were discussed to move the plan forward toward realization. |
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| The Fiscal 2014 Result Presentation Meeting of the Industrial Users Society for Neutron Application was held July 23 in the Akihabara Convention Hall, Tokyo. At present, 49 Japanese research institutions and companies are active as members of the society, and about 150 people participated in this meeting, including non-members. The meeting was divided into two sessions. In the first session on J-PARC's Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF), the Director of the J-PARC Center, Dr. Naohito Saito, reported on the current situation at the MLF. During his talk, he apologized again to users for the recent halt in operation due to a target problem. Next, the secretary-general of the society summarized the current situation of industrial utilization of neutrons at the MLF, and two reports were given regarding topics such as crystal structure analysis results using the MLF's neutron diffractometers BL09 SPICA and BL03 iBIX. In the second session on industrial applications of neutrons, the persons in charge from Nissan Arc, Toyota Central R&D Labs, Honda R&D, and Sumitomo Rubber Industries reported on their research results obtained using the neutron instruments of the MLF (e.g., BL20, BL16, BL15), and there was a lively question-and-answer session. In addition, users expressed to J-PARC their desire for more stable operation in the future. |
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| This meeting was held on July 9 at the Ibaraki Quantum Beam Research Center. To begin, Dr. Toshiji Kanaya, the former professor at Kyoto University who became Head of the Materials and Life Science Division in June of this year, introduced himself to the attendees. Then the Director of the J-PARC Center and Head of the Accelerator Division reported on the general situation, and persons in charge of each MFL section reported on topics such as the progress situation, the latest information on research and development, and plans for this fiscal year. In addition, the Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society (CROSS), which is in charge of promoting facility usage, reported on its activities, and Ibaraki Prefecture reported on the activity of beamlines which are operated by the prefecture. The meeting closed with a question-and-answer session and an exchange of views. |
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| In order to share a common safety mindset of "ensuring safety in all work" with the contractors who carry out work at J-PARC, we have established a Liaison Committee on Safety and Health for Contractors at J-PARC. The first meeting of the committee was held on July 24 at an exhibition hall, Atom World, with 80 participants from 75 companies. At the meeting, there were reports and discussion on previous accidents and troubles at J-PARC and the lessons learned from them, precautions when working at J-PARC, and opinions/proposals from contractors for making work safer. These discussions raised safety awareness of the participants. |
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| From late June to late July, the J-PARC Center conducted accident notification training, assuming abnormal release of radioactive material, at the 50 GeV synchrotron facility, Neutrino Experimental Facility, Hadron Experimental Facility and MLF. Accident site command posts and simulated response headquarters were set up to address the mock accidents, and participants went through the sequence of steps up to accident containment, including checking that information had been communicated via telephone, FAX and other means. The lessons learned through this training will definitely be incorporated into our response if an accident occurs, and into upcoming training sessions. |
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| At the MR (Main Ring), tests were carried out from June 29 to July 1 in preparation for the increase in beam intensity to the Neutrino Experimental Facility scheduled for the fall of this year of later. Tests based on current operation parameters indicate good prospects for beam acceleration at 370 kW of higher (the previous maximum was about 360 kW). Tests were also conducted based on new operation parameters, and operation at about 500 kW should be possible provided a number of issues are resolved. This result shows that beam operation exceeding 1 MW can be expected if the plan for increasing the incidence frequency of the beam, which is currently review, comes to fruition. |
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| As part of our cultural exchange activities with foreign researchers and other visitors from overseas, flower arrangement classes were held by the Tokai-mura International Center and the JAEA on June 25 and July 23. J-PARC user from overseas also participated in the first class. With the guidance of the instructors, the participants completed their own arrangements by selecting cut flowers they liked, and comparing against an arrangement provided as a model. |
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