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Wada, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Wada, S..

The Solar System calcium isotopic composition inferred from Ryugu samples

The Hayabusa2 spacecraft has returned samples from the Cb-type asteroid (162173) Ryugu to Earth. Previous petrological and chemical analyses support a close link between Ryugu and CI chondrites that are presumed to be chemically the most primitive meteorites with a solar-like composition. However, Ryugu samples are highly enriched in Ca compared to typical CI chondrites. To identify the cause of this discrepancy, here we report stable Ca isotopic data (expressed as δ 44/40 Ca SRM915a ) for returned Ryugu samples collected from two sites. We found that samples from both sites have similar δ 44/40 Ca SRM915a (0.58 ± 0.03 ‰ and 0.55 ± 0.08 ‰, 2 s.d.) that fall within the range defined by CIs. This isotopic similarity suggests that the Ca budget of CIs and Ryugu samples is dominated by carbonates, and the variably higher Ca contents in Ryugu samples are due to the abundant carbonates. Precipitation of carbonates on Ryugu likely coincided with a major episode of aqueous activity dated to have occurred ~5 Myr after Solar System formation. Based on the pristine Ryugu samples, the average δ 44/40 Ca SRM915a of the Solar System is defined to be 0.57 ± 0.04 ‰ (2 s.d.).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Power distribution estimation method for SMR using ex-core detectors: experimental demonstration by plural control rod patterns at KUCA

The power distribution estimation method based on the ex-core detectors, or PHOEBE, was demonstrated at Kyoto University Critical Assembly, KUCA. Generally, core monitoring systems use in-core neutron detectors. Since inside the core is a harsh environment, the maintainability and reliability of the detectors are deteriorated. On the other hand, the environment outside the core is milder: core monitoring by the ex-core detectors improves the maintainability and reliability especially for small modular reactors and micro-reactors. However, neutron information from the inner region of the core is lost at the ex-core detectors. To recover the information, the authors proposed to utilize the power correlation between the fuel regions. PHOEBE concept was demonstrated at KUCA with distorted power distributions simulated by control rod patterns. The relative power distribution estimated by PHOEBE agreed with that calculated by Monte Carlo simulation code MVP. PHOEBE approximately reproduced the trend of the distorted power distributions calculated by MVP code. By contrast, the case of without power correlation between fuel regions produced significant different power distributions. Therefore, the advantage of considering the power correlation between fuel regions was also demonstrated. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Raman Spectrum of Quenched Carbonaceous Composites

Quenched Carbonaceous Composites (QCC's) are products from the ejecta of a hydrocarbon plasma. Two types of QCC, dark QCC and thermally-altered (heated) filmy QCC, have been shown to have a 220 nm absorption feature similar to that seen in the interstellar extinction curve. We present here Raman spectra of the QCCs and compare them with various carbonaceous materials to better understand the structure QCC. We find that structure of QCC is different from that of graphite and more similar to carbonaceous material found in some interplanetary dust particles and chondritic meteorites.

Wada, S.↗

Quenched carbonaceous composite. III - Comparison to the 3.29 micron interstellar emission feature

Laboratory data are presented showing that oxidized f-QCC, after heating to 500 C, has a 3.29 micron absorption feature that matches precisely the wavelength of the 3.29 micron interstellar emission feature. In addition, the width of the f-QCC (filmy quenched carbonaceous composite) feature is close to that of the 3.29 micron emission feature observed in NGC 7027, Orion, and IRAS 21282 + 5050. Laboratory spectra of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were also obtained, and comparison of the f-QCC and PAH absorption spectra to that of the 3.29 micron emission feature indicates that the f-QCC provides a much better match. It is thus suggested that f-QCC is representative of the class of material giving rise to the emission features in the interstellar medium.

Sakata, A.↗

High-spectral resolution observations of the 3.29 micron emission feature: Comparison to QCC and PAHs

Two of the most promising explanations for the origin of the interstellar emission features observed at 3.29, 3.4, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and 11.3 microns are: quenched carbonaceous composite (QCC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). High resolution spectra are given of the 3.29 micron emission feature which were taken with the Cooled Grating Array Spectrometer at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility and previously published. These spectra show that the peak wavelength of the 3.29 micron feature is located at 3.295 + or - 0.005 micron and that it is coincident with the peak absorbance of QCC. The peak wavelength of the 3.29 micron feature appears to be the same in all of the sources observed thus far. However, the width of the feature in HD 44179 and Elias 1 is only 0.023 micron, which is smaller than the 0.043 micron width in NGC 7027, IRAS 21282+5050, the Orion nebula, and BD+30 deg 3639. Spectra of NGC 7027, QCC, and PAHs is shown. QCC matches the 3.29 micron interstellar emission feature very closely in the wavelength of the peak, and it produces a single feature. On the other hand, PAHs rarely match the peak of the interstellar emission feature, and characteristically produce multiple features.

Tokunaga, Alan T.↗

More interstellar emission features at 3.3-3.6 micrometers!

The present data set consists of 3.20 to 3.55 micron spectra of HD44179, NGC 7027, BD+30 3639, and Elias 1 obtained with a cooled-grating array spectrometer (CGAS) at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility. Emission features and details of the emission feature profiles are presented for high resolution spectra. Greater complexity is shown than might be expected. It is significant that the 3.29 micron feature has an invariant central wavelength, even at high resolution, and this strongly supports the case for a very specific substance or mixture of substances which is giving rise to this feature.

Tokunaga, A. T.↗