In the recent earthquake in northeastern Japan, both the JRR-3M research reactor and the J-PARC spallation neutron source were affected to the point that both will be out of action for some time.
These are two of the leading neutron sources in our region, and the JRR-3M reactor is similar to our OPAL Reactor.
In an effort to help our Japanese colleagues and their customers, we have made two significant offers of assistance:
- Firstly, we have offered beam time on ECHIDNA, KOWARI and KOALA, for approved experiments diverted from JRR-3M, and it is likely that several groups (from U. of Tokyo, Kyoto University and Osaka University, and other universities) will take up this offer in the immediate term.
- Secondly, this year's AONSA Neutron Scattering School was scheduled to be held jointly at JRR-3M and J-PARC, with hands-on experiments, in addition to lectures.
- The facilities are in no position to provide this service, and we have offered to host the school at OPAL as a replacement.
- Likely dates are 14-18 November, and both lecturers and students will be drawn from a range of countries in our region, including Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Published: 09/05/2011