Development of neutron detectors in J-PARC and He-3 shortage problem

Soyama, Kazuhiko  

H is a by product of Tritium production for use in nuclear weapons. Only the US and Russia are presently providing significant amounts of H. With the end of the Cold War the H production from Tritium decay has been reduced significantly. However, since September 2001 the demand of H has increased drastically due to security programs launched in the US and other countries. This has led to a severe depletion of the existing H stockpile and caused the present shortage of H. With the upcoming new Spallation Sources and numerous projects for new instruments or upgrades at existing neutron scattering facilities the demand of H for neutron detectors has significantly increased. In this talk, a current status of construction of neutron scattering instruments and a problem of He3 shortage and alternative developments for neutron detection replacing H detectors at J-PARC will be reported.