From December 18 to 22, 2023, the 7th Neutron and Muon School (NMS) was held in Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture. The school series aims to expand neutron and muon users and foster young researchers in materials science.
Participants attended lectures covering various topics, from the basics to the applications of neutron and muon science, followed by practical hands-on training in small groups using various experimental apparatuses to deepen their understanding. Following the 6th NMS held in 2022, this year's event was held in a hybrid format, allowing lecture-only remote participation. Seventeen participants worldwide attended in person, while 105 registered participants joined the online lectures.
One of the key highlights of the NMS is the hands-on training, which offers participants a unique opportunity to choose their desired devices from the facilities at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) and the research reactor JRR-3. This year's training was conducted on neutron beamlines BL01 4SEASONS, BL02 DNA, BL11 PLANET, BL17 SHARAKU, BL19 TAKUMI, and muon apparatuses S1 and U1A under the guidance of the respective instrumentation scientists.
Participants learned about the principle and operation of the apparatuses and experienced the entire process, from sample setup to beam irradiation and data analysis. On the final day of the school, all participants gave presentations to share what they had learned through the practical training. Based on vote by the participants, lecturers, and staff, the following three groups were awarded.
1st Place: BL19 TAKUMI team(Engineering Materials Diffractometer)
2nd Place: U1A team (Ultra-Slow Muon Microscope)
3rd Place: BL11 PLANET team (High-Pressure Neutron Diffractometer)
The first-place presentation award for BL19 TAKUMI was presented by Dr. Yoshie Otake, President of the Japan Society for Neutron Science (left in the photo), and Dr. Ryuji Maruyama, Chair of the NMS Executive Committee from JAEA (right in the photo).
2nd Place: U1A
3rd Place: BL11 PLANET
A participant from the BL19 TAKUMI team, who won first place in the presentation award, shared their positive experience, "We received valuable lectures and excellent practical training on the BL19 TAKUMI. We were also provided with very delicious meals. We are very grateful for the hospitality of the school and the organizing committee." This feedback reflects the high quality of the NMS and the positive experience it offers to its participants, making it an event not to be missed for those interested in neutron and muon science and materials research.
The 2024 NMS is scheduled to be held from December 9 to December 13. The call for participants is expected to begin in mid-July.
Members of the Muon S1 team and U1A team
Preparation for the experiment at S1
Discussion using a whiteboard (S1 team)
The U1A team analyzing muSR data
Members of the BL19 TAKUMI team
The BL19 TAKUMI team at MLF
Members of the BL17 SHARAKU team
The BL17 SHARAKU team preparing for their presentation
The BL11 PLANET team at MLF
Sealing the sample and applying pressure
Preparing samples for BL02 DNA. Tightening screws to seal the sample in the cell
Installing the sample on BL02 DNA
Members of the BL01 4SEASONS team
Installing the sample on BL01 4SEASONS
