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弘中 浩太; Lee, J.; 小泉 光生; 伊藤 史哲*; 堀 順一*; 寺田 和司*; 佐野 忠史*
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 1054, p.168467_1 - 168467_5, 2023/09
We propose neutron resonance fission neutron analysis (NRFNA), an active nondestructive assay (NDA) technique, to improve the capability to identify and quantify a small amount of fissile material in a sample. NRFNA uses pulsed neutrons to induce fission reactions in the sample. Fission neutrons are detected by a neutron-gamma pulse shape discrimination (PSD) scintillation detector with time-of-flight (TOF) technique. The obtained nuclide-specific resonance peaks in the neutron energy spectrum provide information to identify and quantify a fissile material in the sample. The possibility of using PSD for NRFNA was confirmed through a test experiment using a natural uranium sample. We successfully observed the resonance peaks from 
U(n,f) reaction and showed that NRFNA would be useful for measuring a small amount of fissile material in a sample.
Rossi, F.; 小泉 光生; Rodriguez, D.; 高橋 時音
Proceedings of INMM & ESARDA Joint Annual Meeting 2023 (Internet), 5 Pages, 2023/05
Since 2015, the Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Nuclear Security (ISCN) of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency has been working on the development of the Delayed Gamma-ray Spectroscopy non-destructive assay technique for the quantification of fissile-nuclide content in mixed nuclear materials. Thanks to the efforts and lessons learned from past experiments, the ISCN has successfully designed and fabricated a final integrated instrument. The instrument is composed of a moderator and dose shield where different neutron sources, like Cf-252 and neutron generators, can be inserted to irradiate the sample. Within the moderator, a series of neutron detectors are installed for perform prompt neutron analysis and continuous monitoring of the neutron source emission. Thanks to an innovative transfer system, the sample is then moved to the gamma-ray detector in less than 1.5s providing a fast and reliable movement while being safe from possible contamination. In this work, we will describe the design details of this new instrument. This work is supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) under the subsidy for the "promotion for strengthening nuclear security and the like".
余語 覚文*; Lan, Z.*; 有川 安信*; 安部 勇輝*; Mirfayzi, S. R.*; Wei, T.*; 森 隆人*; Golovin, D.*; 早川 岳人*; 岩田 夏弥*; et al.
Physical Review X, 13(1), p.011011_1 - 011011_12, 2023/01
被引用回数：1 パーセンタイル：94.54(Physics, Multidisciplinary)Neutrons are powerful tools for investigating the structure and properties of materials used in science and technology. Recently, laser-driven neutron sources (LDNS) have attracted the attention of different communities, from science to industry, in a variety of applications, including radiography, spectroscopy, security, and medicine. However, the laser-driven ion acceleration mechanism for neutron generation and for establishing the scaling law on the neutron yield is essential to improve the feasibility of LDNS. In this paper, we report the mechanism that accelerates ions with spectra suitable for neutron generation. We show that the neutron yield increases with the fourth power of the laser intensity, resulting in the neutron generation of 
in 
at a maximum, with 
Wcm
, 900 J, 1.5 ps lasers. By installing a "hand-size" moderator, which is specially designed for the LDNS, it is demonstrated that the efficient generation of epithermal (0.1-100 eV) neutrons enables the single-shot analysis of composite materials by neutron resonance transmission analysis (NRTA). We achieve the energy resolution of 2.3% for 5.19-eV neutrons 1.8 m downstream of the LDNS. This leads to the analysis of elements and isotopes within sub-
s times and allows for high-speed nondestructive inspection.
伊藤 史哲*; Lee, J.; 弘中 浩太; 小泉 光生; 余語 覚文*
Proceedings of 19th Annual Meeting of Particle Accelerator Society of Japan (インターネット), p.137 - 140, 2023/01
中性子共鳴透過分析(NRTA)は、パルス中性子を計量したい核物質に照射し、飛行時間(TOF)法を用いて測定核物質を非破壊測定する手法であるが、小型・高精度化には短パルスな小型中性子源が必要となる。近年発展著しいレーザー技術を用いたレー ザー駆動中性子源(LDNS)は、そのような中性子源として将来を期待されている。そこで我々はLDNSを用いたNRTAの技術開発を行い、実証実験を行った。その結果について報告する。
Lee, J.; 弘中 浩太; 伊藤 史哲*; 小泉 光生; 堀 順一*; 佐野 忠史*
Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 8 Pages, 2023/00
被引用回数：0 パーセンタイル：0.02(Nuclear Science & Technology)In the short-distance time-of-flight (TOF) measurements, the background events increase exponentially with decreasing the distance, and the high background increases the uncertainty of the measurement data. The moderated neutron beam includes the time-dependent background originating from the neutron moderator, such as 2.2 MeV gamma rays emitted by 
H(n,
) reaction in the moderator. In this paper, to achieve a compact neutron resonance transmission analysis system with high accuracy, we studied the relationship between the moderator and time-dependent background due to gamma rays. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out with the PHITS and the JENDL-4.0 to investigate the time distributions of neutrons and gamma rays emitted from the moderator. Ratios of the gamma-ray intensity to neutron intensity (S/S
ratio) were calculated for various moderators and flight distances. From the obtained results, moderator designs for maintaining low S/S ratio were discussed.
Lee, J.; 伊藤 史哲*; 弘中 浩太; 高橋 時音; 鈴木 敏*; 小泉 光生
Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 59(12), p.1546 - 1557, 2022/12
被引用回数：3 パーセンタイル：85.55(Nuclear Science & Technology)Compact time-of-flight (TOF) measurement systems are desirable for easy installation in various facilities. To achieve such compact systems, one of the key considerations is the design of the neutron moderator. However, there are only a few reports on systematic studies on moderators considering both neutron energy resolution as well as a neutron intensity. In this paper, to design an epithermal neutron moderator for short-distance TOF measurements, the neutron intensity and energy resolution of epithermal neutrons have been studied using the Monte Carlo simulation code PHITS with JENDL-4.0 for various types of moderators. The neutronic characteristics of a moderator comprising several components were evaluated. The relationships between the moderator dimensions and both the energy resolution and intensity of the epithermal neutrons were determined. From the obtained results, the appropriate high resolution moderator designs for the short-distance TOF measurements were proposed.
Lee, J.; 伊藤 史哲*; 弘中 浩太; 高橋 時音; 鈴木 敏*; 小泉 光生; 堀 順一*; 寺田 和司*
第43回日本核物質管理学会年次大会会議論文集(インターネット), 4 Pages, 2022/11
中性子検出に広く使われているGS20リチウムガラスシンチレータは、応答は速いがn/g弁別能に乏しい。ガンマ線背景事象を適切に評価するためには、ガンマ線に対する応答特性を知る必要がある。特に中性子測定時は減速材中の水素原子核から発生する2.2MeVのガンマ線が主な背景事象となるが、このような高エネルギーガンマ線への応答特性の報告はほとんどない。このため、本研究では、GS20の応答特性についてNa-24ガンマ線源を用いて調べた。
Omer, M.; 静間 俊行*; 羽島 良一*; 小泉 光生
第43回日本核物質管理学会年次大会会議論文集(インターネット), 3 Pages, 2022/11
Gamma-rays originated from laser Compton scattering (LCS) are convenient photon sources for nondestructive interrogation of nuclear materials. LCS can be used with nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), the two of which are considered photon-based active interrogation techniques. However, an accurate estimation of the incident LCS -ray flux is crucial. The -ray flux is customarily measured using high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors, usually calibrated using standard point-like radioactive -ray sources. These standard sources are entirely different from LCS beams in terms of detection geometry. Therefore, the calibration process must be corrected to meet the LCS beam conditions. Here, we demonstrate how to implement the required corrections and provide experimental validation of these corrections.
小泉 光生; 持丸 貴則*; 弘中 浩太; 高橋 時音; 山西 弘城*; 若林 源一郎*
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 1042, p.167424_1 - 167424_6, 2022/11
被引用回数：1 パーセンタイル：63.62(Instruments & Instrumentation)文部科学省核セキュリティ強化等補助事業の下、広域における核・放射性物質検知技術開発を進めている。出力波形によってガンマ線と中性子を弁別できる棒状のプラスチックシンチレーション検出器を用いることにより、核物質等からの高速中性子を比較的低いバックグラウンドで検知するための装置を開発した。この装置は、2本の検出器とポリエチレンモデレーターを組み合わせたもので、回転させて、中性子源の方向を特定することができる。本論文では、PuBe線源からの高速中性子を測定した実験結果をもとに、シミュレーションの結果と合わせて、検出器および検出器システムの性能を報告し、迅速に放射線源の方向を探索する手法を提案する。
Omer, M.; 静間 俊行*; 羽島 良一*; 小泉 光生
Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 198, p.110241_1 - 110241_7, 2022/09
被引用回数：1 パーセンタイル：63.62(Chemistry, Physical)In beam geometries where a directed -ray beam hits the surface of a coaxial high purity germanium detector (HPGe), the detector efficiency is sensitive to the position where -rays initially hit the detector surface because the structure of the detector is nonuniform. This may cause inaccuracy of the detector efficiency when measured using standard sources that are point-like sources emitting -rays isotropically. Obtaining a precise estimation of the full energy peak efficiency of the coaxial HPGe detector in the beam geometry for on-axis and off-axis measurements requires a Monte Carlo simulation. We performed a Monte Carlo simulation that calculates the detector efficiency in the beam geometry. The effects of the off-axis distance and -ray beam size on the efficiency are quantitatively analyzed. We found that the intrinsic efficiency in the beam geometry is maximized when the beam hits the detector at specific off-axis distances. Our Monte Carlo calculations have been supported by a nuclear resonance fluorescence experiment using laser Compton scattering -ray beam.
Lee, J.; 弘中 浩太; 伊藤 史哲*; 高橋 時音; 小泉 光生; 堀 順一*; 寺田 和司*
KURNS Progress Report 2021, P. 97, 2022/07
文部科学省補助金事業「核セキュリティ強化等推進事業費補助金」の下、核不拡散技術開発の一環として、レーザー駆動中性子源(LDNS)を用いたコンパクトな核共鳴透過分析(NRTA)システムの技術開発を行っている。コンパクトなNRTAシステムを構築するためには、中性子の飛行距離を短くすることが重要な要素である。しかし、短距離のTOF測定では、減速材中の水素への中性子捕獲による2.2MeVガンマ線の影響が短距離に比例して指数的に大きくなってしまう。また、LDNSは発展途上であるため、中性子フラックスが十分ではなく、検出効率の高い検出器を用いることが望ましい。このため、我々は、高エネルギーガンマ線に対する検出効率が低く、かつ高い中性子感度を持つ検出器(積層型中性子検出器)を開発してきた。令和3年度の京都大学LINAC実験では、中性子に対する検出効率を上げ、両側にPMTを取り付け、コインシデンス測定によりノイズを除去できるようになった改良型の積層型中性子検出器の性能評価を行い、共鳴TOF測定による良いパフォーマンスを確かめられた。
Rossi, F.; 小泉 光生; Rodriguez, D.; 高橋 時音
Proceedings of INMM 63rd Annual Meeting (Internet), 5 Pages, 2022/07
With the initial goal of fissile-nuclide content quantification in small samples containing uranium and plutonium, the Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Nuclear Security of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency is developing the Delayed Gamma-ray Spectroscopy non-destructive assay technique. For this, while in the past years several experiments were conducted to prove the feasibility of the technique, a new instrument was designed considering the previous lessons learned. It includes a modular insertion for different neutron sources, like radioisotopes or neutron generators; a gamma-ray detector with improved data acquisition system allowing for real-time dead-time correction; and a full new mechanism for the sample transfer between irradiation and measurement. Together with this, neutron detectors are integrated to supplement the DGS mass analysis and monitor the source intensity. In this work, we will describe the new instrument and the preliminary results obtained from instrument characterization compared to previous experiments. This work is supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) under the subsidy for the "promotion for strengthening nuclear security and the like". This work was done under the agreement between JAEA and EURATOM in the field of nuclear material safeguards research and development.
小泉 光生; 高橋 時音; 弘中 浩太; 持丸 貴則*; 山西 弘城*; 若林 源一郎*
令和2年度近畿大学原子炉利用共同研究等経過報告書, p.76 - 80, 2021/12
核物質や放射性物質をばら撒くことを目的としたRDD(Radiological Dispersal Device)が、大規模イベント会場などで使用されることを未然に防止するため、透過力が高く遮蔽が難しい高速中性子に注目し、これを検出することにより、核物質や中性子源の放出源を探知する検出器開発を開始した。高速中性子検出器としては、ガンマ線と中性子との発光減衰時間が異なることを利用して、波形から放射線の種類を区別する波形弁別PSD(Pulse Shape Discrimination)ができる、プラスチックシンチレータ(EJ-276)を導入した。中性子を選択的に計数することができるため、環境ガンマ線のバックグラウンドを抑制した信号・ノイズ比(S/N)の高い測定により、中性子に高い感度のある測定が期待できる。近大炉においては、原子炉起動用Pu-Be中性子線源を用いて、製作した長尺のEJ-276プラスチックシンチレータを用いた試験を行いった。検出器単体による中性子・ガンマ線弁別能力試験を行った結果、EJ-276により、環境ガンマ線の影響を抑えた中性子の測定が可能であることが確認できた。開発した長尺の検出器は、角度依存性を持つため、中性子線源の探知に利用できると考えられる。そこで、検出器の角度依存性を単体、及び、検出器2台とポリエチレンブロックとを組み合わせた体系で実験を行った。中性子検出の角度依存性を評価した結果、中性子線源の探知に利用できる可能性を示すことができた。
持丸 貴則*; 小泉 光生; 高橋 時音; 弘中 浩太; 木村 祥紀; 佐藤 優樹; 寺阪 祐太; 山西 弘城*; 若林 源一郎*
第42回日本核物質管理学会年次大会会議論文集(インターネット), 4 Pages, 2021/11
日本原子力研究開発機構では、文部科学省核セキュリティ強化等補助事業の下、大規模公共イベント等において、核・放射性物質を用いたテロ行為等を未然に防ぐため、イベント会場にそれらが持ち込まれた場合に迅速に検知するための技術・装置の開発を目的とし、広域における放射性物質検知技術開発を4年計画で進めている。本講演では、プロジェクトの概要を説明するとともに、技術開発の進捗状況を一部紹介する。
弘中 浩太; 伊藤 史哲*; Lee, J.; 小泉 光生; 高橋 時音; 鈴木 敏*; 余語 覚文*; 有川 安信*; 安部 勇輝*
第42回日本核物質管理学会年次大会会議論文集(インターネット), 4 Pages, 2021/11
中性子共鳴透過分析(NRTA)はパルス中性子源を用いてTOF測定を行うことで核物質を非破壊測定する手法であるが、小型・高精度化には短パルスな小型中性子源が必要となる。近年発展著しいレーザー技術を用いたレーザー駆動中性子源(LDNS)は、そのような中性子源として将来を期待されている。我々はLDNSを用いたNRTAの実現可能性を調べるため、大阪大学LFEXレーザーを用いて中性子TOF測定実験を行った。
Rodriguez, D.; Abbas, K.*; 小泉 光生; Nonneman, S.*; Rossi, F.; 高橋 時音
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 1014, p.165685_1 - 165685_10, 2021/10
被引用回数：2 パーセンタイル：52.17(Instruments & Instrumentation)Under the MEXT subsidy on research for improving nuclear security related development, we designed the Delayed Gamma-ray Californium Test (DGCT) instrument. From He-3 count-rate experiments performed in collaboration with the European Commission Joint Research Centre, we show the effective neutron flux entering the sample space. Further, we show delayed gamma-ray spectra of both U and Pu samples as well as a comparison to the background from Cf activation of the environment. Finally, we make comparisons to earlier spectra obtained using PUNITA, including relative fission capability, spectral signature, and mass correlations.
伊藤 史哲*; Lee, J.; 弘中 浩太; 高橋 時音; 鈴木 敏*; 堀 順一*; 寺田 和司*; 小泉 光生
KURNS Progress Report 2020, P. 98, 2021/08
文部科学省補助金事業「核セキュリティ強化等推進事業費補助金」の下、核不拡散技術開発の一環として、レーザー駆動中性子源(LDNS)を用いたコンパクトな核共鳴透過分析(NRTA)システムの技術開発を行っている。NRTAにおいては、パルス中性子源から放出される中性子エネルギーが、飛行時間(TOF)法を用いて測定される。LDNSは、短い飛行距離でも高精度なTOF測定を行うために必要となる、短いパルス幅を持つという特性等から注目されている。短距離TOF測定では、減速材中の水素への中性子捕獲による2.2MeVガンマ線の飛来タイミングと、共鳴エネルギー付近の中性子の飛来タイミングが重なり、大きなガンマ線背景事象が存在することとなる。また、LDNSは発展途上であるため、中性子フラックスが十分ではなく、検出効率の高い検出器を用いることが望ましい。このため、我々は、高エネルギーガンマ線に対する検出効率が低く、かつ高い中性子感度を持つ検出器(多層型中性子検出器)を開発してきた。令和3年度の実験結果の一つとして、多層型中性子検出器が、高エネルギーガンマ線に対して低感度であることが確かめられた。
藤 暢輔; 大図 章; 土屋 晴文; 古高 和禎; 北谷 文人; 米田 政夫; 前田 亮; 小泉 光生
Proceedings of INMM & ESARDA Joint Virtual Annual Meeting (Internet), 8 Pages, 2021/08
Since neutrons have exceptional ability to penetrate high-density materials and can induce fission, they are used in non-destructive analysis such as, Differential Die-Away Analysis (DDA), Prompt Gamma-ray Analysis (PGA) and Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis (NRTA). The different analytical methods give us complementary information, which are particularly useful for the quantification of Special Nuclear Materials in highly radioactive nuclear materials, including spent fuel. The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission are collaborating to develop an active neutron NDA system for nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear security. In the second phase of the project, an integrated active neutron NDA system: Active-N which enables the simultaneous measurements of DDA, PGA and NRTA has been developed. The DDA detects fission neutrons, and it can determine small amounts of the fissile mass. PGA is utilized for the quantification of neutron absorber and particularly useful for the detection of explosives. NRTA can be used to quantify almost all medium and high-Z elements and considered as one of the most accurate NDA. In this presentation, we will provide an overview of Active-N and report the recent experimental results. This research was implemented under the subsidy for nuclear security promotion of MEXT: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Rossi, F.; Abbas, K.*; 小泉 光生; Lee, H.-J.; Rodriguez, D.; 高橋 時音
Proceedings of INMM & ESARDA Joint Virtual Annual Meeting (Internet), 7 Pages, 2021/08
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency is developing the Delayed Gamma-ray Spectroscopy (DGS) non-destructive assay technique to quantify the fissile-nuclide content in small samples of mixed nuclear materials. One of our primary goals is to develop a compact and efficient DGS instrument to be easily installable into analytical laboratories. The instrument should include an external neutron source and a gamma-ray detection system along with other supporting systems like sample transfer and neutron monitoring. One of the challenges is to design a compact and efficient moderator for commercial neutron sources (e.g. neutron generators or sealed radioactive sources) that emit neutrons with high energy. However, to be able to enhance the gamma-ray signal from fissile materials, thermal neutrons are best due to their higher fission cross-sections. The choice of viable neutron source (neutron spectrum and strength) depends on several considerations (e.g. sample type and interrogation pattern), but also affect the gamma-ray measurement and the consequence analysis. In this work, we will first describe the evaluation results of our Delayed Gamma-ray Test Spectrometer using a 
Cf source (DGTS-C) from the first experiment carried out in PERLA in collaboration with the European Commission, Joint Research Centre. In association, we will describe how it provided guidance for our demonstration irradiator. Further, we will present our final moderator design concept for a deuterium-deuterium (D-D) neutron generator and present the latest results of data-model comparisons, including those with our PUNITA results. This work is supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) under the subsidy for the "promotion for strengthening nuclear security and the like". This work was done under the agreement between JAEA and EURATOM in the field of nuclear material safeguards research and development.
Rodriguez, D.; Bogucarska, T.*; 小泉 光生; Lee, H.-J.; Pedersen, B.*; Rossi, F.; 高橋 時音; Varasano, G.*
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 997, p.165146_1 - 165146_13, 2021/05
被引用回数：1 パーセンタイル：21.8(Instruments & Instrumentation)Under the MEXT subsidy to strengthen nuclear security related research, the ISCN is developing delayed gamma-ray spectroscopy (DGS) for nuclear safeguards. Here we present results from experiments using the PUNITA instrument in collaboration with JRC-Ispra to evaluate the gamma-ray spectral dependence on interrogation time patterns and number of cycles. Specifically, we investigated the observable gamma rays useful to quantify the 
Pu and U contributions. Of the time patterns tested in this study, we determined that irradiating the sample for 60-
followed by a gamma-ray measurement of 60- was the best for a comparable one-hour total interrogation time.
