Hydrogen in the Earth core inferred from neutron imaging and diffraction

Takahashi, Naoki*; Sakamaki, Tatsuya*; Hattori, Takanori; Funakoshi, Kenichi*; Arima-Osonoi, Hiroshi*; Sano, Asami; Abe, Jun*; Suzuki, Akio*

Scientific Reports (Internet), 16, p.14162_1 - 14162_13, 2026/05

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-49969-z

We performed high-pressure and high-temperature neutron diffraction and imaging experiments in situ to determine the hydrogen content in liquid iron. We observed that liquid iron contains 0.17(3) wt.% H at 3.4 GPa and 1400 K, indicating that liquid iron is hydrogenated in the magma ocean during core formation. For the hydrogen content in the liquid iron at the base of the magma ocean, we estimated that the outer and inner cores contain 0.60-0.72 and 0.30-0.44 wt.% H, corresponding to 70-85 and 1.9-2.7 times the mass of hydrogen in the ocean, respectively. This suggests that hydrogen can contribute more than half of the density deficit in the outer core. For the magma ocean equilibrating with the hydrogen-rich primary atmosphere, the study findings show that liquid iron plays a crucial role in transporting a large amount of hydrogen into the core.

Development of real-time mapping software for wide-area radiation survey

Takahashi, Tone; Koizumi, Mitsuo; Yoshimi, Yuki*; Mochimaru, Takanori*

JAEA-Technology 2025-007, 26 Pages, 2025/11

JAEA-Technology-2025-007.pdf:1.6MB

To prevent the smuggling of nuclear and radioactive materials into event venues for the purpose of terrorism, it is common practice to individually inspect people and vehicles entering and exiting using radiation detectors. However, since there remains a risk of such inspections being bypassed, it is necessary to complement them with a wide-area radiation survey to ensure that no nuclear or radioactive materials have been brought in. Radiation mapping is an effective method for efficiently surveying large areas. In this method, a gamma-ray detector equipped with GPS is used to record location data and radiation dose rates while moving. By utilizing network connectivity, measurement data from multiple detectors can be aggregated at a central command post, allowing real-time monitoring of survey progress. This system helps to prevent both redundant and missing measurements and enables the prompt detection of suspicious radiation sources. Furthermore, by incorporating spectrometers into the gamma -ray detectors, it becomes possible to identify radioactive isotopes, thereby enabling appropriate responses. To enable such wide-area radiation surveys, we developed real-time mapping software. The developed software receives measurement data transmitted from GPS-equipped gamma-ray spectrometers, processes it sequentially in real time, and plots it onto pre -downloaded map data. Additionally, by integrating the spectral data collected from regions showing abnormal radiation levels can be displayed immediately. To enhance information security, the software is designed to function within local networks without requiring internet connectivity. In this report, we introduce an overview of the developed software and provide a simplified version of the source code as an appendix. The provided code is developed using open and free operating systems, libraries, and environments, making it freely available and usable by anyone.

Progress in linac beam commissioning for high-intensity operations for J-PARC power upgrades

Liu, Y.*; Otani, Masashi*; Miyao, Tomoaki*; Nakazawa, Yuga*; Shibata, Takanori*; Nammo, Kesao*; Fang, Z.*; Futatsukawa, Kenta*; Fukui, Yuji*; Mizobata, Satoshi*; et al.

Proceedings of 16th International Particle Accelerator Conference (IPAC25) (Internet), p.855 - 857, 2025/11

https://doi.org/10.18429/JACoW-IPAC2025-TUAD1

Development of monitoring technique for detection of nuclear and radioactive materials on major public events

Takahashi, Tone; Yamaguchi, Ikuto*; Hironaka, Kota*; Mochimaru, Takanori*; Koizumi, Mitsuo; Yamanishi, Hirokuni*; Wakabayashi, Genichiro*

Dai-44-Kai Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Nenji Taikai Kaigi Rombunshu (Internet), 4 Pages, 2023/11

To enhance the counter capability against terrorism in major public events, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has started developments of monitoring technique that covers wide-area and rapidly detects nuclear and radioactive materials. In this project, we are developing widely applicable radiation mapping device by combining with positioning sensors and a network device. Mapping tests inside and outside of the building by using the device to locate areas with high radiation count has been performed. Also, fast neutron detection technique using plastic scintillation detectors is being developed for detection of neutron sources including nuclear materials. Measurement with two rod shaped detector that placed into a cross showed better localizing capability compared with single detector. In this report, recent progresses of the project are given.

Current status of a JAEA development program on nuclear and radioactive materials detection techniques in major public events

Koizumi, Mitsuo; Takahashi, Tone; Hironaka, Kota; Mochimaru, Takanori*; Yamaguchi, Ikuto*; Kimura, Yoshiki; Tanigaki, Minoru*; Masaki, Hiroko*; Harada, Hiroshi*; Goto, Jun*; et al.

Proceedings of INMM & ESARDA Joint Annual Meeting 2023 (Internet), 7 Pages, 2023/05

Rod-shaped pulse shape discrimination plastic scintillation detectors applied for neutron source direction survey

Koizumi, Mitsuo; Mochimaru, Takanori*; Hironaka, Kota; Takahashi, Tone; Yamanishi, Hirokuni*; Wakabayashi, Genichiro*

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 1042, p.167424_1 - 167424_6, 2022/11

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2022.167424

no abstracts in English

Monitoring technique for detection of nuclear and radioactive materials on major public events

Mochimaru, Takanori*; Koizumi, Mitsuo; Takahashi, Tone; Hironaka, Kota; Kimura, Yoshiki; Sato, Yuki; Terasaka, Yuta; Yamanishi, Hirokuni*; Wakabayashi, Genichiro*

Dai-42-Kai Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Nenji Taikai Kaigi Rombunshu (Internet), 4 Pages, 2021/11

no abstracts in English

Origin of magnetovolume effect in a cobaltite

Miao, P.*; Tan, Z.*; Lee, S. H.*; Ishikawa, Yoshihisa*; Torii, Shuki*; Yonemura, Masao*; Koda, Akihiro*; Komatsu, Kazuki*; Machida, Shinichi*; Sano, Asami; et al.

Physical Review B, 103(9), p.094302_1 - 094302_18, 2021/03

https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.103.094302

The layered perovskite PrBaCoO demonstrates a strong negative thermal expansion (NTE) which holds potential for being fabricated into composites with zero thermal expansion. The NTE was found to be intimately associated with the spontaneous magnetic ordering, known as magneto-volume effect (MVE). Here we report with compelling evidences that the continuous-like MVE in PrBaCoO is intrinsically of discontinuous character, originating from an magnetoelectric transition from an antiferromagnetic insulating large-volume (AFILV) phase to a ferromagnetic less-insulating small-volume (FLISV) phase. Furthermore, the magnetoelectric effect (ME) shows high sensitivity to multiple external stimuli such as temperature, carrier doping, hydrostatic pressure, magnetic field etc. In contrast to the well-known ME such as colossal magnetoresistance and multi-ferroic effect which involve symmetry breaking of crystal structure, the ME in the cobaltite is purely isostructural. Our discovery provides a new path way to realizing the ME as well as the NTE, which may find applications in new techniques.

Reaction rate analyses of accelerator-driven system experiments with 100 MeV protons at Kyoto University Critical Assembly

Pyeon, C. H.*; Vu, T. M.*; Yamanaka, Masao*; Sugawara, Takanori; Iwamoto, Hiroki; Nishihara, Kenji; Kim, S. H.*; Takahashi, Yoshiyuki*; Nakajima, Ken*; Tsujimoto, Kazufumi

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 55(2), p.190 - 198, 2018/02

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2017.1389314

At the Kyoto University Critical Assembly, a series of reaction rate experiments is conducted on the accelerator-driven system (ADS) with spallation neutrons generated by the combined use of 100 MeV protons and a lead and bismuth target in the subcritical state. The reaction rates are measured by the foil activation method to obtain neutron spectrum information on ADS. Numerical calculations are performed with MCNP6.1 and JENDL/HE-2007 for high-energy protons and spallation process, JENDL-4.0 for transport and JENDL/D-99 for reaction rates. The reaction rates depend on subcriticality is revealed by the accuracy of the C/E (calculation/experiment) values. Nonetheless, the accuracy of the reaction rates at high-energy thresholds remains an important issue in the fixed-source calculations.

Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses of lead sample reactivity experiments at Kyoto University Critical Assembly

Pyeon, C. H.*; Fujimoto, Atsushi*; Sugawara, Takanori; Iwamoto, Hiroki; Nishihara, Kenji; Takahashi, Yoshiyuki*; Nakajima, Ken*; Tsujimoto, Kazufumi

Nuclear Science and Engineering, 185(3), p.460 - 472, 2017/03

https://doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2016.1272976

Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses of lead (Pb) isotope cross sections are conducted with the use of sample reactivity experiments at the Kyoto University Critical Assembly (KUCA). With the combined use of the SRAC2006 and MARBLE code systems, attempts are made to precisely examine the contributions of the reactions and energy regions of Pb isotope cross sections to reactivity based on the covariance data of JENDL-4.0. Moreover, the effect of decreasing uncertainty is discussed in terms of the accuracy of sample reactivity by applying the cross section adjustment method to the uncertainty analyses. From the results of the sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, the reliability of Pb isotope cross sections, such as the Pb isotope covariance data of JENDL-4.0, is compared with the JENDL-3.3, ENDF/B-VII.0, and JEFF-3.1 libraries.