Symposium on the 15th anniversary of modified JRR-3 operation for neutron utilization

In commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of the Modified Japan Research Reactor-3 (JRR-3), a symposium was held at Techno Community Square RICOTTY (Tokai-mura), December 4, 2006. The operators and users of JRR-3 reported their fruits in science and technology in the past and presented future plans. Dr. K. Sato, a former member of the executive director of Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, presented a valuable episode in JRR-3 modification works. Mr. N. Kimura, director of 'The Office for Quantum and Radiation Research, MEXT', and Emeritus Prof. Y. Endoh, president of 'The Japanese Society for Neutron Science', expressed their sincere thanks for a large contribution to science and technology in these 15 years JRR-3 operation, and also their desire for the future contribution. Distinguished scientists reported their fruits in the various research fields at the JRR-3, such as developments of advanced neutron instruments, material sciences, structural analyses of protein focusing on hydrogen positions, water distribution in plants, structural analyses of soft materials and residual stress measurements. We presented the upgrading plan of the JRR-3 to increase the intensity of cold neutron beam to 10 times. This upgrading plan can create new world of science and technology. A desire for this upgrading plan was expressed by scientists and engineers. The consensus in the symposium was as follows. The Japan-Proton Accelerator Research Complex is suitable for experiments requiring high intensity pulse neutron beam. The JRR-3 is suitable for high accuracy experiments using continuous neutron beam. Therefore, both facilities are complementarily indispensable for science and technology using neutron. Total number of participants was about 230 from domestic universities and industries, etc. The lectures and research fruits presented in the symposium are summarized in this report. (author)