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RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics Neutron Operation Unit

Unit Leader: Koichiro Tanaka (D.Sc.)

Research Summary

Koichiro Tanaka

Our unit operates three RANS (RIKEN Accelerator-driven compact Neutron Systems) systems, providing neutron irradiation facilities to experimental groups both within and outside the institute. RANS-I uses 7 MeV protons and a beryllium (Be) target, while RANS-II and III use 2.49 MeV protons and a lithium (Li) target. Users range from research institutions and universities to private companies. The RANS development program has focused on miniaturization with the goal of portability. RANS-III, which began operation in 2025, has been successfully mounted on a vehicle, and we are advancing its implementation in society. We are conducting comprehensive development of ion sources, accelerators, control systems, neutron-generating targets, radiation shielding, detectors, and measurement methods, with the aim of developing neutron sources that benefit society.

Main Research Fields

  • Engineering

Related Research Fields

  • Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering

Keywords

  • Neutron
  • Accelerator
  • Ion source
  • Radiography
  • Neutron-generating target

Selected Publications

  • 1. Tomohiro Kobayashi, Shota Ikeda, Yoshie Otake, Yujiro Ikeda and Noriyosu Hayashizaki,
    "Completion of a new accelerator-driven compact neutron source prototype RANS-II for on-site use"
    Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A, Volume 994, 165091, 2021.
  • 2. Sugihara, K., Ikeda, Y., Kobayashi, T., Fujita, K., Ikeda, S., Shigyo, N. and Otake, Y.,
    "Radiation field characterization with emphasis on the collimator configuration at the compact neutron source RANS-II facility"
    Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 60(2), 110–123, 2022.
  • 3. Mingfei Yan, Baolong Ma, Takao Hashiguchi, Atsushi Taketani, Chihiro Iwamoto, Yasuo Wakabayashi, Kunihiro Fujita, Takaoki Takanashi, Masato Takamura, Tomohiro Kobayashi, Shota Ikeda, Maki Mizuta, Yujiro Ikeda and Yoshie Otake,
    "Investigation of Dose Rate Distribution in an Experimental Hall of a RIKEN Accelerator-Driven Compact Neutron Source Based on the 9Be(p, n) Reaction With 7 MeV Proton Injection"
    IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Vol. 69, No. 2, 118-125, 2022.
  • 4. Shota Ikeda, Tomohiro Kobayashi, Yoshie Otake, Ryuji Matsui, Masahiro Okamura and Noriyosu Hayashizaki,
    "Fabrication and RF test of the 500 MHz-RFQ linear accelerator for a transportable neutron source RANS-III"
    Journal of Neutron Research, 24(3-4):249-259, 2022.

Lab Members

Principal investigator

Koichiro Tanaka
Unit Leader

Core members

Tomohiro Kobayashi
Senior Research Scientist

Careers

Position Deadline
Seeking a Technical Scientist or a Senior Technical Scientist (Indefinite-term) (25-3368) Noon, May 15, 2026

Contact Information

Neutron Application Facilities
2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
Email: t-koba@riken.jp

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