Hitoshi Imaseki

Introduction of PIXE analysis system in NIRS

In March 1999, electrostatic accelerator, Tandetron (Model 4117MC, High Voltage Engineering Europe Co.) was installed in the Electrostatic Accelerator Building for PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) analysis. The accelerating voltage is 0.4 to 1.7MV, and the maximum beam current is 5μA at 3.4MeV. This system has three beam ports for different types of PIXE analysis: normal, micro-beam and in-air. The first beam port is used for normal PIXE. Since two types of X-ray detecting device, Si (Li) and CdZnTe detectors, are available here, elements from Na (Z=11) to U (Z=92) are detectable. Fifteen samples can semi automatically be measured at one time using a proton beam of optical beam size from 0.5 to 2.0 mm at 100 nA beam current. A quadrupole triplet magnet (Model OM2000, Oxford Micro beams, Ltd.) attached to the second beam port produces a proton micro-beam of square shape less than 1μm×1μm. Micro-beam scanning PIXE analysis is carried out with this beam at 50pA current and scanning area up to 2.0mm square. The in-air PIXE analysis is performed using the third beam port. The operation of this machine has been scheduled to start from April 2000 and is controlled by Division of Technology and Safety. Some results preliminarily obtained are also shorn.

Multilayer Scintillator Responses for Mo Observatory of Neutrino Experiment Studied Using a Prototype Detector MOON-1

An ensemble of multilayer scintillators is discussed as an option of the high-sensitivity detector MOON (Mo Observatory of Neutrinos) for spectroscopic measurements of neutrinoless double beta decays. A prototype detector MOON-1, which consists of 6-layer plastic scintillator plates, was built to study the photon responses of the MOON-type detector. The photon responses, i.e., the number of scintillation photons collected and the energy resolution, which are key elements for high-sensitivity experiments, are found to be 1835 � 30 photoelectrons for 976 keV electrons and � ¼ 2:9 � 0:1% (� E=E ¼ 6:8 � 0:3% in FWHM) at the Q�� � 3 MeV region, respectively. The multilayer plastic scintillator structure with high energy resolution as well as a good signal for the background suppression of � –� rays is crucial for the MOON-type detector to achieve inverted-hierarchy neutrino-mass sensitivity. It will also be useful for medical and other rare-decay experiments as well.

Elemental imaging of rat epididymis by micro-PIXE analysis

Abstract The epididymis, a male reproductive organ, which is a highly convoluted duct, plays an important role in transportation of spermatozoa, their maturation, and their storage. Although major elements, such as P, S and K, as well as trace elements, such as Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, are known to be essential for spermatogenesis, detailed distributions of the elements in the epididymis are only poorly understood. In the present study, Mn, Cu, Zn and Se levels in the epididymis were examined in male Wistar rats by inductively coupled argon plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis and in situ multi-elemental distributions of epididymal sections were determined by micro-PIXE (particle induced X-ray emission) analysis. The Zn, Cu and Se concentrations in the epididymis of the young adult rats were around 30 μg/g wet weight, 2 μg/g wet weight and 1 μg/g wet weight, respectively, and their Mn were less than 0.5 μg/g wet weight. PIXE imaging of P and K exhibited that P and K were higher in the epididymal epithelium. In contrast, more S was detected in the lumen, which is composed of spermatozoa and a fluid. Elemental imagings of the trace elements were unclear compared with the major elements, but information about zinc localization in the epididymis was obtained.

Single particle irradiation system to cell (SPICE) at NIRS

Selective irradiation by an ionizing particle of a targeted cell organelle may disclose such mechanisms as signal transaction among cell organelles and cell-to-cell communication in the processes toward an endpoint observed. Bystander effect, existence of which has been clearly evidenced by application of the particle microbeam to biological experiments, suggests potential deviation from the conventional risk estimation at low particle fluence rates, such as in an environment of space radiation in International Space Station. To promote these studies we started the construction of a microbeam facility (named as SPICE) by using our HVEE Tandem accelerator (3.4 MeV proton and 5.1 MeV 4 He 2þ ). For our primary goal, ‘‘irradiation of cell organelle with a single particle with a position resolution of 2 l mi n a reasonable irradiation time’’, special features are considered. Usage of a triplet Q-magnet for focussing the beam to micrometer levels is an outstanding feature compared to facilities of other institutes. Other features are almost similar to those of other institutes. Those are precise position control of a cell dish holder, design of the cell dish, data acquisition of microscopic image of a cell organelle (cell nucleus), data processing, reliable particle detection, soft and hard wares to integrate all these related data and system to control and irradiate a targeted spot with exactly determined number of particles.

ATTEMPT AT IN-AIR PIXE ANALYSIS OF SPOT SAMPLES ON A FILTER-TAPE MOUNTED IN AN AUTOMATED BETA-RAY ABSORPTION MASS MONITOR

We attempted in-air-PIXE analysis of SPM using spot samples on a filter-tape mounted in an automated beta-ray absorption mass monitor. Al, Si, S, Fe and Zn, etc., which are of interest for identifying the behavior and characteristics of SPM, were detected on the SPM spot samples on a glass-fiber filter-tape, but the peaks of these elements were nearly identical to those of blank glass-fiber filter-tape. As such, it was difficult to detect elements present in SPM from the X-ray spectra of the spot samples. On the other hand, in the case of a PTFE membrane filter-tape, the S peak was distinct and the Fe peak was also clear, and peaks for elements Al, Mn and Zn, etc., were also confirmed. Consequently, if a method for determining quantity is established, direct multi-elemental analysis by in-air-PIXE of high time-resolution SPM spot samples collected on a PTFE membrane filter-tape mounted in a SPM monitor will be possible.

APPLICATION OF MICROPIXE TO ELEMENTAL IMAGING OF THE RAT TESTIS

The MicroPIXE technique was employed to reveal detailed distributions of trace elements in the testis, which distinguish the cell type-differences corresponding to the germ cell development (the 14 designated stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle). Clear elemental imagings were obtained for P and S with a 50 μ m-thick section; S was higher in elongated spermatids in stages VII-VII, where a lower level of P was observed. Elemental imagings of Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn were obscure compared with P and S, but information about their localization in the seminiferous epithelium was obtained. These results suggest that microPIXE analysis is a powerful technique for investigation of elemental dynamics in the testis, although an improvement of detection for testicular trace elements is required.

Application of PIXE analysis to environmental samples stable element distribution in sea algae by scanning microprobe analysis

The resolution of a 33±3 μm microprobe focussed with quadrupole doublet installed at the 3 MV Van de Graaff of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences was used for this analysis. Brown algae, Hijiki,Hizikia fusiforme was the sample target bombarded with a 2 MeV proton beam collimated mechanically into a rectangular image of 100 μm × 700 μm. Scanning across the sample target prepared into a longitudinal section from the caulis of the algae provided the following observations. More than 12 elements such as Al, Si, P, Cl, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Br and Sr were determined simultaneously, together with their distributional information across the diameter. In the medullary layer, Mn and Zn were specific in their accumulation, while the deposition of Fe, Cu, As and Br were observed to be high in the epithelial layer, especially Fe and Cu which were found on the surface, where they contact ambient sea water, but no significant change in pattern was indicated for such elements as Al, P and Cl. The PIXE microprobe analysis was, therefore, effective in its detectability for elements below a few ppm level, resultantly provides further possibilities for collecting information from bio-medical and environmental samples on trace characterization of elements.

RUBIDIUM DISTRIBUTION IN KIDNEYS OF IMMATURE RATS

Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) using high energy incident X-rays was combined with micro-PIXE to analyze the renal distribution of Rb and essential elements in immature rats. The Rb concentrations in the kidneys of newborn (1 week old) and young (3 weeks old) rats were 4.19 ± 0.71 and 4.13 ± 0.30 µg/g, respectively, similar to those of adult rats. Rubidium as well as Zn was detected more in the cortex than the medulla, while Fe was concentrated in the outermost areas of the medulla of newborn rats. The renal structures of young rats achieved adult zonation into the cortex, the outer medulla and the inner medulla. Rubidium was high in the outer stripe of the outer medulla. Further analysis at higher resolution revealed Rb in the proximal tubules in the innermost part of the cortex. These results indicated that Rb was distributed downstream of the proximal tubules. This profile was similar to that of potassium, an Rb congener.

APPLICATION OF MICRO-PIXE ANALYSIS FOR A MIGRATION HISTORY STUDY OF HUCHO PERRYI FOCUSED ON STRONTIUM DISTRIBUTION IN FISH SCALES

Sakhalin taimen, Hucho perryi, is one of the largest freshwater fish in Japan, where it is close to extinction because of indiscriminate fishing, water pollution, and river construction. Interpretable ecological information about the species, however, is scarce. We examined the migration history of H. perryi by analysis of strontium (Sr) content in fish scales using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and Sr distributions associated with ridges (growth lines) in the scales, with micro-beam scanning PIXE (micro-PIXE) analyses. Sr levels in the scales of H. perryi collected along the Sarufutsu coast were higher than those of salmonid collected at Shumarinai, a freshwater lake. Micro-PIXE line analyses showed that the scale Sr values of the Shumarinai Lake samples remained consistently low from the edge toward the core of the scales. The Sr values from the Sarufutsu coast samples remained relatively high from the edge toward the core; Sr levels from second to fourth position from the edge were about ten times higher than the mean levels of Shumarinai Lake samples. These results suggested that H. perryi from the Sarufutsu Coast had experienced the marine environment.

PIXE ANALYSIS OF SPOT SAMPLES ON NEW TYPE OF PTFE ULTRA-MEMBRANE FILTER-TAPE MOUNTED IN AN AUTOMATED BETA-RAY ABSORPTION MASS MONITOR

In order to obtain high time-resolution, i.e., chemical data of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) at one-hour intervals, we carried out direct analysis of suspended particulate matter (SPM) on hourly spot samples on a new type of PTFE ultra-membrane filter-tape mounted in an automated beta-ray absorption mass monitor by conventional PIXE. Analysis of hourly SPM spot samples revealed 20 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Sr and Pb) in total. Therefore, we are convinced that the chemical information that is obtained from high time-resolution PM spot samples on a PTFE membrane filter-tape mounted in an automated beta-ray absorption mass monitor will lead to new developments in PM research. Furthermore, elemental data obtained by the high time-resolution along with data for ionic species compositions, and SO2, NOX and other gaseous air pollutants at the same level, will make possible the analysis of detailed air pollution phenomenon.