Neutron transmission measurements for silica glass at the KURNS-LINAC

Lee, J.; Rossi, F.; 児玉 有; 弘中 浩太; 小泉 光生; 佐野 忠史*; 松尾 泰典*; 堀 順一*

Annals of Nuclear Energy, 211, p.111017_1 - 111017_7, 2025/02

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2024.111017

Silica glass has been used as a base and host material in vitrified radioactive waste and lithium glass scintillator for neutron detection because of its superb transparency, high heat resistance, and excellent chemical inertness. Therefore, an accurate total cross section of the silica glass is important to evaluate the criticality safety for the vitrified wastes and to understand the neutron response for lithium glass scintillators accurately. In the present study, to provide the accurate total cross section in the thermal and epithermal energy range, the neutron transmission measurements were carried out by a pulsed neutron beam with the time-of-flight method at the Kyoto University Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science - Linear Accelerator. We obtained the neutron total cross section of the silica glass in the energy region from 0.002 eV to 25 eV. The obtained results were compared and discussed with the previous results and the evaluated data.

非核化達成のための要因分析と技術的プロセスに関する研究; イランの事例調査

田崎 真樹子; 清水 亮; 木村 隆志; 須田 一則

JAEA-Review 2024-041, 88 Pages, 2024/11

JAEA-Review-2024-041.pdf:2.83MB

2018年度から開始した「非核化達成のための要因分析と技術的プロセスの研究」の一環で、イランの核開発及び非核化(包括的共同作業計画まで)の事例を調査し、それらを8つの非核化要因((1)核開発の動機、(2)非核化を決断した際の内外情勢、(3)核開発の進捗度、(4)制裁の効果、(5)非核化の国際的枠組み、(6)非核化のインセンティブ、(7)非核化の方法、(8)非核化の検証者、検証方法)から分析し、他国の非核化との比較も交えて得られる非核化の教訓を導いた。パーレビ国王下のイランは、米国の支援を得て研究炉等を導入し、商用原子炉の建設や自国でのウラン濃縮の実施等、原子力プログラムの推進を企図したが、1979年のイラン・イスラム革命で原子力計画は一時停止した。しかしイラン・イラク戦争で、イラクから化学兵器の攻撃を受け、国際社会からもイランが望んだ対応を得られなかったこと等から、秘密裡の核開発に舵を切り、パキスタンの「核の供給ネットワーク」から遠心分離機等を調達すると共に、ナタンズに秘密裡のウラン濃縮施設を建設し、アラクに重水炉の建設も企図した。加えて、後に「イランの核プログラムの軍事的側面の可能性」と呼ばれることになる核兵器開発に繋がる活動も実施したとされる。しかし、2002年のイラン反体制派によりそれまでの秘密裡の活動が暴露され、イランは核開発よりもウラン濃縮活動の維持と継続を優先した。IAEAとの協力を維持して外交交渉で事態打開を目指し国連安全保障理事会への付託や経済制裁を避けるとの「現実的アプローチ」を採ることとして、2002年からEU3か国(仏独英)と、また2006年からは5核兵器国を交えてEU3/E+3(中仏独露英米とEU)と非核化交渉を開始した。そして2015年に包括的共同作業計画の合意に至った。イランの非核化事例の教訓としては、非核化には、国際社会の非核化に向けたモメンタム、5核兵器国の協調・協力(当事国全ての国による合意の遵守も含まれる)、制裁の有効的な活用、非核化対象国の非核化に対するインセンティブを損なわないための原子力平和利用の保証が重要であり、非核化の検証方法や手段、制裁解除の条件の明確化等が必要であることが挙げられる。

レーザー駆動中性子源を用いた非破壊分析技術の開発

小泉 光生; 伊藤 史哲*; Lee, J.; 弘中 浩太; 高橋 時音; 鈴木 敏*; 有川 安信*; 安部 勇輝*; Wei, T.*; 余語 覚文*; et al.

第45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, 2024/11

Neutron resonance transmission analysis (NRTA) is a non-destructive method applicable for measuring nuclear material using a time-of-flight (TOF) technique with a pulsed neutron source. To realize a high resolution compact NRTA system, use of a short-pulsed neutron source is essential. Laser-driven neutron sources (LDNSs) are well-suit for generating such neutron beams due to their short pulse width. The advances in laser technology will further reduce the system's size and improve practicality. In this study, we demonstrate the measurement of a neutron transmission TOF spectrum of a sample containing indium and silver using the LDNS of the Osaka University. The obtained spectrum was analyzed using the least-square nuclear-resonance fitting program, REFIT, showcasing for the first time the potential of an LDNS for nondestructive areal-density material characterization.

国家主体による武力攻撃からの原子力施設の保護等に係る有識者等の見解について

田崎 真樹子

第45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, 2024/11

露国によるウクライナへの軍事侵攻及び原子力施設に対する攻撃等に起因し、国家主体による武力攻撃からの原子力施設の保護に関して、有識者等からの見解が示されている。それらについてのまとめ及び考察結果を報告する。

次世代高速炉用燃料中のプルトニウム定量へのパッシブ中性子非破壊測定技術の適用可能性

江口 綾*; 相楽 洋*; 三星 夏海; 長谷 竹晃

第45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), 2 Pages, 2024/11

次世代高速炉用燃料には、ウランおよびプルトニウムに加え、マイナーアクチノイドやランタノイド等の核分裂生成物が含まれ、新燃料であっても核物質以外を由来とする中性子およびガンマ線の高いバックグラウンドが想定されている。本研究では、次世代高速炉用燃料中のプルトニウム定量のために、同時計数法、Differential Die Away Self Interrogation (DDSI)法を用いたパッシブ中性子非破壊測定技術の適用可能性を評価することを目的とする。

Application of deep metric learning model to microscope image analysis for the determination of UOC samples in nuclear forensics analysis

木村 祥紀; 松本 哲也*; 山口 知輝

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 333(7), p.3541 - 3551, 2024/07

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-09300-w

This study discusses the application of a deep metric learning model based on a convolutional neural network to scanning electron microscope image analysis to determine UOC samples. One of the unique features of this technique is that it can detect a sample that comes from an unknown material not listed in the reference for comparison, in addition to the classification of a sample based on surface characteristics captured in the microscopic images. It was confirmed that the present technique could detect hypothetical unknown samples with 0.8 of Area Under the ROC Curve, and it can effectively provide preliminary observations in nuclear forensics analysis.

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

伊藤 史哲*; Lee, J.; 弘中 浩太; 高橋 時音; 鈴木 敏*; 持丸 貴則*; 堀 順一*; 寺田 和司*; 小泉 光生

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

The response of a gamma-ray spectrometer is generally determined by analyzing full-energy peaks. However, full-energy peaks cannot be measured easily in the case of scintillation detectors that consist of light elements, such as glass scintillators. Only a strong Compton plateau appears in the spectrum of such detectors. Therefore, Compton edgers were used to evaluate the response of these detectors. The response of a low-resolution Li-glass detector to gamma rays was measured for the first time by a coincidence method with a high-resolution LaBr:Ce detector using cascade gamma rays (2.75 and 1.37 MeV) from a Na source. Coincidence gates were applied at the peaks of the spectrum of the LaBr:Ce detector at the 0.51 MeV annihilation peak, and the sum peaks of a gamma ray and a backscattered gamma ray. By analyzing the gated spectra of the Li-glass detector, the energy-dependent detector response (i.e., the output strength and its dispersion) was determined.

Development of a combined neutron resonance analysis technique as a nondestructive assay for fissile material quantification

Rossi, F.; Lee, J.; 児玉 有; 弘中 浩太; 小泉 光生; 堀 順一*; 寺田 和司*; 佐野 忠史*

Proceedings of 65th Annual Meeting of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (Internet), 8 Pages, 2024/07

Various non-destructive assay techniques are being used to verify different nuclear material. However, one of the difficulties of current NDA is the measurement of highly radioactive materials. Since 2015, the JAEA has been working on the development of various active non-destructive assay techniques to address some of the current challenges in nuclear safeguards. Among the various technologies proposed, the Neutron Resonance Analysis system combines signatures from NRTA, NRCA and the newly proposed NRFNA. The combination of those techniques can provide accurate information on the small fissile content in a sample. Neutrons are generated by a pulsed neutron source and slowed down into the moderator. Neutrons are collimated using lead and borated polyethylene to reach the sample, where various neutron-induced reactions occur. n/g PSD plastic scintillators are used to measure the captured gamma rays and fission neutrons at sample location. GS20 is used to collect the transmitted neutrons downstream of the source-sample beamline. A first measurement campaign was performed using natural uranium sample. The possibility of using NRFNA to identify fissile materials within a sample was clearly demonstrated, but the detectors used were not sufficient to achieve a good n/g PSD. New PSD scintillators were introduced. A first measurement campaign was performed in 2023. The acquired data are currently being analyzed, but preliminary results show distinct fission resonance peaks of increasing intensity with varying thicknesses of the same natural uranium samples. Currently, an assembly of multiple scintillators is being investigated to provide a better signal. The new setup will be tested starting in early 2024. In this paper, we will describe in detail the NRA project development and the latest results from experimental campaign. This work is supported by MEXT under the subsidy for the "promotion for strengthening nuclear security and the like"

Nondestructive determination of isotopic abundance using multi-energy nuclear resonance fluorescence driven by laser Compton scattering source

Omer, M.; 静間 俊行*; 羽島 良一*; 小泉 光生

Journal of Applied Physics, 135(18), p.184903_1 - 184903_10, 2024/05

https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0197076

We report on the findings of a quantitative nondestructive analysis of the natural isotopic abundances of hafnium and tungsten elements using nuclear resonance fluorescence. Commercial samples of hafnium and tungsten were irradiated to six quasi-monochromatic -ray beams generated by laser Compton scattering in the energy range of 2.4-3.2 MeV. Multiple nuclei were simultaneously excited at each of the six -ray beam energies. A high-purity germanium detector array detected deexcitations of the nuclei. In total, transitions were unprecedentedly employed to estimate the isotopic abundances of heavy elements nondestructively. The estimated abundances of three hafnium isotopes and three tungsten isotopes are consistent with standard known natural abundances within the experimental uncertainties. The deviation from the standard values ranges from 0.18% to 1.36%. This work is a contribution of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under the agreement of the coordinated research program (CRP), J02015 (Facilitation of Safe and Secure Trade Using Nuclear Detection Technology - Detection of RN and Other Contraband). This work was a part of a study of the nuclear resonance fluorescence aiming at nuclear security and safeguards applications, being supported by the subsidiary for "promotion of strengthening nuclear security or the like" of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), Japan.

International nuclear security law; The Use of "soft law"

福井 康人

Journal of Conflict & Security Law, 29(1), p.129 - 142, 2024/01

AA2023-0670.pdf:0.54MB

https://doi.org/10.1093/jcsl/krad017

核セキュリティ分野の国際法は、核物質防護条約改正等の条約を、各国が原子力施設等の防護措置を定める際の指針となる核セキュリティ文書等のいわゆるソフト・ローからなる文書等が補完する形態を取っている。また、将来の方向性を示す核セキュリティ・サミット文書のようなものもある。本稿では、核セキュリティ分野の国際法がなぜそのようなソフト・ローに補完された法体系になっているのかの理由を考察する。そこには、IAEA加盟国の多様な原子力施設に対応するため、国際法レベルではソフト・ローとなっていても、日本等では規制官庁の設置文書に明記された権限等を基に、こうしたソフト・ローがベースとなって強制力を持って許認可が行われ、強制執行力を有する規範に変質して実施されるというハードローに変質する興味深い傾向がある。