Development of muonic X-ray analysis system

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25706032
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Quantum beam science
• Research Institution: Japan Atomic Energy Agency
• Principal Investigator: OSAWA Takahito 独立行政法人日本原子力研究開発機構, 原子力研究開発部門 量子ビーム応用研究センター, 研究副主幹 (70414589)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ミュオン / 分析 / 隕石

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The principle of muonic x-ray transitions and the use of negative-muon beams for chemical analysis were first suggested over 50 years ago. Since then, muonic x-ray spectrometry has been tested as a nondestructive method for elemental analysis. However, because a highly intense muon beam is required to analyze real samples, this method has heretofore never been practical as an analytic technique. I developed a new elemental analysis system that uses an intense negative-muon beam at J-PARC and measured meteorites and a standard material. The main system components are an electromagnet, an Al flight tube, an Al sample chamber, a lead shielding body, and a Ge detector. The background and signal-to-noise ratio was significantly better than that obtained in a previous study, and all significant elements in the meteorite and standard samples were detected. Thus, this system can be used for muonic x-ray analysis of extraterrestrial materials.

Free Research Field

分析科学