Remote alpha/beta measurement system with support vector machine algorithm

Morishita, Yuki; Miyamura, Hiroko; Sato, Yuki; Matsubara, Jun*; Sumali, B.*; Mitsukura, Yasue*

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, p.170368_1 - 170368_16, 2025/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2025.170368

Decommissioning nuclear reactor sites presents challenges due to the presence of various radionuclides, including alpha emitters (e.g., Pu, Am, Cm) and beta emitters (e.g., Cs, Sr-Y), which pose significant internal exposure risks to workers. Traditional measurement methods require multiple instruments and are time-consuming, particularly in high gamma-ray environments. To address these issues, we developed a remote alpha and beta discrimination measurement system that integrates a stilbene scintillator detector with a silicon photomultiplier, enabling simultaneous detection of both alpha and beta particles. This study further incorporates machine learning techniques, specifically Support Vector Machines (SVM), for automatic discrimination, eliminating the need for user-defined thresholds and ensuring consistent operational conditions. The system was tested with known radiation sources, demonstrating over 96% classification accuracy for alpha and beta particles. Measurements conducted in motion effectively identified contamination sources, confirming the system's capability for real-time analysis. This innovative approach enhances radiation safety and efficiency in nuclear decommissioning operations, making it particularly beneficial in environments where human access is limited.

Evaluation of the distribution accuracy of radioactivity from a gamma-ray source using an omnidirectional detector for radiation imaging with fractal geometry

Sasaki, Miyuki; Abe, Yuki*; Sanada, Yukihisa; Torii, Tatsuo*

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 1072, p.170207_1 - 170207_12, 2025/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2025.170207

We have developed an omnidirectional radiation imager with fractal geometry named the FRIE system. This paper presents the development and evaluation of the FRIE system, designed to accurately estimate radioactivity distribution within decommissioning environments, such as the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The FRIE system is a unit of tetrahedral radiation sensors; 16 sensors are arranged in a Sierpinski tetrahedron shape, and the space between the sensors is filled with tungsten-based alloy for radiation shielding. This study assessed the performance of the FRIE system in estimating radiation distribution through simulations and actual measurement tests. From the results of the simulations and experimental data, it was confirmed that by maintaining a measurement density of at least 2 points/m, limiting the positional error to within 10 cm, and the angular error to within 10 degrees, it is possible to estimate the source location with an angular resolution of approximately 30 degrees. Future improvements in the arrangement of the FRIE system's crystals and shielding should enhance the performance metrics. This research signifies a pioneering implementation of fractal-based radiation imaging technology, offering a new direction in radiation measurement.

In-situ detection of high-energy beta ray emitter Sr/Y inside the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 3 reactor building using a liquid light guide Cherenkov counter

Terasaka, Yuta; Sato, Yuki; Furuta, Yoshihiro*; Kubo, Shin*; Ichiba, Yuta*

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 1070, Part 2 , p.170021_1 - 170021_9, 2025/01

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2024.170021

Measurements of displacement cross sections of metals for 120-GeV proton beam irradiation

Iwamoto, Yosuke; Matsuda, Hiroki*; Meigo, Shinichiro; Yonehara, Katsuya*; Pellemoine, F.*; Liu, Z.*; Lynch, K.*; Yoshida, Makoto*; Yabuuchi, Atsushi*; Yoshiie, Toshimasa*; et al.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, 557, p.165543_1 - 165543_8, 2024/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2024.165543

The number of displacements per atom is widely used as an indicator of irradiation damage to materials in proton accelerator facilities. Experiments have been carried out on protons below 3 GeV to verify the dpa of metallic materials. However, the dpa for high-energy protons above 3 GeV has not been measured. In order to validate the displacement cross sections of metals in the high-energy region, the electrical resistivity changes of aluminium, copper and tungsten wires at a temperature of 8 K were measured using protons with energy of 120 GeV. The results show that the conventional irradiation damage model of PHITS overestimates the experimental data. On the other hand, the calculation results using the athermal recombination correction model were in agreement with the experimental data.

In-situ measurement of radiation driven back-conversion from para to ortho liquid hydrogen state in cold moderators at J-PARC

Teshigawara, Makoto; Lee, Y.*; Tatsumoto, Hideki*; Hartl, M.*; Aso, Tomokazu; Iverson, E. B.*; Ariyoshi, Gen; Ikeda, Yujiro*; Hasegawa, Takumi*

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, 557, p.165534_1 - 165534_10, 2024/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2024.165534

At Japanese Spallation Neutron Source in J-PARC, the para-hydrogen fraction was measured by using Raman spectroscopy in-situ for an integrated beam power of 9.4 MWh at 1 MW operation, to evaluate the functionality of the ferric oxyhydroxide catalyst. This result showed that full functionality of the catalyst was retained up to the 1 MW operation. We attempted to study the effect of neutron scattering driven para to ortho-hydrogen back-conversion rate in the absence of the catalyst effect with a bypass line without catalyst. The measured increase of ortho-hydrogen fraction was 0.44% for an integrated beam power of 2.4 MWh at 500 kW operation, however, which was considered to be due to not only to neutron collisions in cold moderators but also to the high ortho-hydrogen fraction of initially static liquid hydrogen in the bypass line and passive exudation of quasi-static hydrogen in the catalyst vessel to the main loop.

Using X-ray absorption near edge structure to evaluate adsorption properties of rare earths and nitrogen by difference of their interactions

Minowa, Kazuki*; Watanabe, So; Nakase, Masahiko*; Takahatake, Yoko; Miyazaki, Yasunori; Ban, Yasutoshi; Matsuura, Haruaki*

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, 556, p.165496_1 - 165496_6, 2024/11

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2024.165496

In this study, X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectral analysis and column experiments were used to verify the selectivity of rare earth (RE) ions by alkyl diamide amine (ADAAM) adsorbent. In addition, the interactions between the N atoms of ADAAM and RE ions were evaluated to determine whether any of the RE ions are a valid simulant for developing a mutual separation process for minor actinides (MAs) in highly radioactive liquid waste. It was confirmed that La and Ce interacted with the amine N atom of ADAAM and they showed a peak shift of the N-K edge XANES spectrum; this finding suggested that a soft interaction is an essential factor influencing ion selectivity. Therefore, the selection factor of RE ions by ADAAM adsorbent was similar to that of MAs. It was concluded that RE ions are reasonable species to simulate MAs.

Adsorption mechanism of Eu onto newly synthesized fluorous-compound-impregnating adsorbent

Arai, Yoichi; Watanabe, So; Watanabe, Masayuki; Arai, Tsuyoshi*; Katsuki, Kenta*; Agou, Tomohiro*; Fujikawa, Hisaharu*; Takeda, Keisuke*; Fukumoto, Hiroki*; Hoshina, Hiroyuki*; et al.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, 554, p.165448_1 - 165448_10, 2024/09

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2024.165448

Ion beam induced luminescence of lanthanide complexes in organic solvents irradiated by hydrogen and argon ion beams

Nakahara, Masaumi; Watanabe, So; Ishii, Yasuyuki*; Yamagata, Ryohei*; Yuri, Yosuke*; Yuyama, Takahiro*; Ishizaka, Tomohisa*; Koka, Masashi*; Yamada, Naoto*; Hagura, Naoto*

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, 554, p.165449_1 - 165449_5, 2024/09

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2024.165449

Ion beam induced luminescence analysis of lanthanide complexes in the organic solvents for minor actinides recovery process was carried out to investigate the structures of complexes. In this study, hydrogen ion beam obtained from the single-ended accelerator and argon ion beam obtained from the azimuthally varying field cyclotron were used in Takasaki Ion Accelerators for Advanced Radiation Application in National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology. In the experiments, ion beam induced luminescence spectra of lanthanide complexes in the organic solvents were measured, and the relationship between the obtained spectra and the structures of complexes was studied.

Measurement of the response of a Li-glass detector to gamma rays by a coincidence method

Ito, Fumiaki*; Lee, J.; Hironaka, Kota; Takahashi, Tone; Suzuki, Satoshi*; Mochimaru, Takanori*; Hori, Junichi*; Terada, Kazushi*; Koizumi, Mitsuo

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 1064, p.169465_1 - 169465_9, 2024/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2024.169465

Corrigendum to "Development of 0.5 mm gauge size radial collimators for high-pressure neutron diffraction experiments at PLANET in J-PARC" [Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A 1059 (2024) 168956]

Hattori, Takanori; Suzuki, Koji*; Miyo, Tatsuya*; Ito, Takayoshi*; Machida, Shinichi*

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 1064, p.169448_1 - 169448_9, 2024/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2024.169448

The authors regret that the abstract and summary explain that the cup diameter of a standard double-toroidal anvils is 1.5 mm. This is incorrect; the standard diameter is 4.0 mm. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.