2023 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Development of 48Ca Production System by Laser Isotope Separation (LIS) toward the study of neutrinoless double beta decay of CANDLES.
| Project/Area Number |
23K13124
|
|---|
| Research Institution | Osaka University |
|---|
Principal Investigator |
アナワット リッティロン 大阪大学, 核物理研究センター, 特任研究員 (60965763)
|
|---|
| Project Period (FY) |
2023-04-01 – 2025-03-31
|
| Keywords | CANDLES / Calcium-48 / Isotope Separation / Isotope Enrichment / Laser Isotope Separation |
|---|
| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Calcium-48 (48Ca) is a key element used in neutrinoless double beta decay research by CANDLES. As it is costly and low abundance, we are exploring the possibility of using laser isotope separation for a mass production of 48Ca. The atomic beam production system, laser system, collection systems, and large-scale production chamber have been developed. We carried out a test with a single (80mW) blue-light laser diode and observed the shift of 40Ca and 44Ca. The displacement of 40Ca and 44Ca was 6.94 mm and 2.96 mm, respectively. However, due to the lower abundance 48Ca, we are now improving the overall performance to investigate the 48Ca separation. Multiple slave lasers that generate 2W power have achieved a production rate of 10g/year. The goal and strategy to achieve a production rate of 300 kg/year are considered.
|
| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
We are currently developing the laser isotope separation for 48Ca. The current status is the test of the production of the atomic beam system and the isotope separation by one of the six ports of the main chamber. The laser test was carried out, and 40Ca and 44Ca shifts were observed. However, due to the lower abundance of 48Ca, we are now improving the overall performance to investigate the isotope separation of 48Ca. The high-power, single-frequency laser is currently being developed, as is research into atomic beam production and recovery systems. All of the systems are required to achieve mass production of 48Ca.
|
| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The plans to realize the laser isotope separation and mass production of 48Ca is to continue develop the study of the production of sheet-like atomic beam, development of collection system and the development of main chamber irradiation unit. We are now testing with single crucible, single laser, and collection system by the large main chamber. We aim to investigate the isotope separation of 48Ca with the above system. After that, we will set the high power of laser with a multiple nozzle to increase the atomic beam intensity and study the deflection of 48Ca. We aim to recovery the calcium from the collection surface and then measure the isotope ratio on each region by ICP-MS.
|
| Causes of Carryover |
In the next fiscal year, FY2024, I planned to use the grant for the material cost of the collection system, including the test cost, crafting cost of the collection system, and automated collection system.
|
