Development and Dissemination of Compact Neutron Systems and of Non-destructive Measurement Technology for Infrastructures

Abstract

We have been developing compact neutron source systems that are useful in research, manufacturing, and infrastructure on-site in RIKEN. The accelerator-based RANS and RANS-II are in constant operation indoors, and the RANS-III for outdoor use is under development. The RANS-μ neutron salt meter, which aims to prevent accidents involving bridges falling due to salt damage, is small enough to be mounted on a bridge inspection vehicle and has high measurement accuracy, and has been successfully tested for salt measurement on national highway bridges in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures in FY2022. The RANS-II model is being installed at Mirrotron Co. in Hungary. The key technologies are the high brightness of the source and the high signal-to-noise ratio of the measurement. We are developing new needs for neutron applications while realizing a minimal-size, practically useful neutron system that can be used in the field.