Masaharu Nomura

The Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) Rapid Cycling Synchrotron (RCS) employs Magnetic Alloy (MA) loaded cavities. The rf power is fed by vacuum tubes in push-pull operation. We realize the multi-harmonic rf driving and the beam loading compensation thanks to the broadband characteristics of the MA. However, the push-pull operation has disadvantages in multi-harmonics. A considerable amount of unbalance appears in the anode voltage swing at very high intensity beam acceleration. We propose a single-ended MA cavity for the RCS beam power upgrade, where no unbalance arises intrinsically.

We have developed a promising surface-sensitive X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurement method. This method is based on total reflection detection and Kramers–Kronig relations, and has been named the KK-XAFS method. Total reflection spectra are transformed via Kramers–Kronig relations to obtain XAFS spectra. KK-XAFS experiments give us surface-sensitive structural parameters, while usual EXAFS analyses yield bulk structural parameters. The total reflection spectra themselves are useful for observing and discussing time evolutions of chemical reactions at surfaces by quick scanning measurements. Chemical species are analyzed to estimate their fractions during reactions. The whole method would be named total reflection X-ray spectroscopy (TREXS). A reduction of the NiO layer at the surface of Ni (30 nm)/Si was observed in a laboratory-built TREXS in situ cell. The method would be applicable to observe chemical reactions starting at surfaces and to study their kinetics and mechanisms.

In this paper, I outline the birth and development of department store architecture in modern Japan and the interrelation of profitability and architectural plans by examining the case of the Mitsukoshi flagship store at Nihonbashi. This paper covers the following five periods of development: (1) 1914: Completion of the Main Building's Construction Efforts were taken to construct spaces such as entryways and stairwells to instill a sense of splendor and novelty in visitors. Expressing the establishment of the business style of the department store was regarded as the primary matter of importance, and little thought was given to profitability. A dry-goods business model was still followed, and suitable architectural plans were made for this model. (2) 1921: Completion of Restructuring and Expansion Work An intentional expansion of the sales area was undertaken in response to perceived demand. An awareness of profitability began to be reflected in architectural plans. Specialization of clerical work was also observed. The service model of the dry-goods model was still being followed, but now a rationalization of the store's management system led to a change in the service model, and this change was also reflected in the architectural plans. (3) 1927: Completion of Restoration Work for the Whole Building There was a small increase in the percentage of pure sales space. This was the result of the consideration of other methods of profit maximization besides increased sales space, such as attracting customers through enhancing guest facilities and an increase in customer turnover rate through changes in line flow, floor organization, and clearance practices, which was accompanied by the discontinuation of footwear due to a decrease in demand following the Great Kanto Earthquake. The changes reflected the popularization and expansion of department stores and, ironically, suggested that the earthquake provided an opportunity to plan a full-scale shedding of the dry-goods model. (4) 1935: Completion of Restructuring and Expansion Work Pure sales area proportion was decreased for the restoration of stairwells and to enhance customer facilities. This proactive reevaluation of construction plans for stairwells, introduction of a large-scale event hall, and use of basement selling space had not been present in the previous phase. These actions were attempts to attract customers, which in turn reflected the popularization of department stores. (5) 1956: Completion of Restructuring and Expansion Work This period saw no significant alteration in the architectural plans for the floor area, but there were fine adjustments and enhancements such as the extension of the façade along Nihon-odori by filling out the block, refinement of characterization through orientation, adjustment of line flow, increase of sales space, and refinement of vertical organization considering customer access. The discontinuation of footwear after the earthquake, the minimization and subsequent restoration of the splendid staircases, and the expansion of utilized space were all direct and significant sources of the changes in architectural plans. However, one can infer from a comparison of floor plans and the distribution of floor space that each architectural plan or act of restructuring and expansion was also designed to actualize changes in sales methods that coincided with changes in floor organization and in the store's customer base. The raison d'être for the department store's architecture and the managers' greatest demand to designers was to improve sales. Because of this, each architectural plan was an optimized solution not just to realize the maximization of the profitable area but also to achieve an increase in customers through the consideration of changes in the customer base.

We measured the in situ polarization-dependent X-ray absorption fine structure of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) deposited on a flat highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) substrate under electrochemical conditions using a back-side illumination method. In this method, the thin HOPG substrate with PtNPs deposited on one side was used as a window for incident and fluorescent X-rays, as well as an electrode. A bent crystal Laue analyzer (BCLA) was applied to the extraction of the Pt L_α fluorescent X-ray signals from strong scattered X-rays. Pt L₃ edge XAFS spectra were observed for various electrode potentials and polarization directions.

Here we describe a new undulator beamline at the BL-15 site of the PF-ring. This new beamline has a short gap undulator which produces high brilliance X-rays ranging from 2.1 keV to 15 keV. The windowless beamline design promises softer X-ray experiments. The second source configuration and double surface bimorph mirror directs the highly focused or collimated radiation to two tandem stations. The upstream station is optimized for XAFS/XRF/XRD studies using a semi-micro focus beam. The downstream station features SAXS experiments using collimated soft or hard X-rays. A novel feature of the beamline is real-time energy synchronization with the undulator gap motion, which is critical for quick energy scanning. The beamline design has been finished and the construction work will start next spring. The construction will be completed during the summer shutdown of 2013, and the new BL-15A will be opened to users in the autumn operation of 2013.