arXiv subjects

Akihiro Yamaji

Publications and source records attributed to Akihiro Yamaji.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Performance evaluation of GYGAG crystals for neutrinoless double beta decay search

Neutrinoless double beta decay (0$νββ$) is a crucial for confirming neutrinos' Majorana characteristics. Previous searches for 0$νββ$ decay of $^{160}$Gd using GSO crystals was conducted, but the sensitivity was limited by background $α$-rays from radioactive impurities. To distinguish the backgrounds, PSD (Pulse Shape Discrimination) and energy resolution are essential. GAGG (Gd$_{3}$(Al, Ga)$_5$O$_{12}$) is a $^{160}$Gd-containing crystal that exhibits a higher light yield than GSO and excellent PSD capabilities. GYGAG (Gd$_{3-x}$Y$_x$(Al, Ga)$_5$O$_{12}$) is a variant crystal where a portion of Gd is substituted with Yttrium and can have enhanced light yield, motivating its investigation for 0$νββ$ decay searches. In this study, GYGAG crystals with different Yttrium concentrations were fabricated and their energy resolution, pulse shape discrimination capability between $α$ and $γ$ rays, and scintillation timing characteristics were evaluated for applications in 0$νββ$ decay searches. Y substitution enhanced the light yield, and the best energy resolution was achieved for Gd$_{2.5}$Y$_{0.5}$Al$_2$Ga$_3$O$_{12}$. GYGAG exhibited high pulse shape discrimination performance across various yttrium concentrations.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

1H Polarization above 60% at room temperature by triplet dynamic nuclear polarization

1H polarization of 61% was achieved by Dynamic Nuclear Polarization using photoexcited triplet electrons (Triplet-DNP) at room temperature and in 0.64 T. We introduced dibenz[a, h]anthracene as a new host molecule of the polarizing agent, pentacene-d14. Its rigid structure provides a long spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of more than 2 hours at room temperature. The single crystal of dibenz[a, h]anthracene doped with 0.05 mol% pentacene-d14 was grown by the Bridgman method, and cut into a small piece of ~1 mg for Triplet-DNP experiment. The 1H polarization buildup and relaxation measurements indicated that paramagnetic relaxation became the major source of the relaxation than spin-lattice relaxation. Finally, two promising applications of room-temperature hyperpolarization, i .e. nuclear ordering and radiation-tolerant polarized target, are discussed.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Thermal Magnetoelectrics in all Inorganic Quasi-Two-Dimensional Halide Perovskites

From lithium-ion batteries to high-temperature superconductors, oxide materials have been widely used in electronic devices. However, demands of future technologies require materials beyond oxides, as anion chemistries distinct from oxygen can expand the palette of mechanisms and phenomena, to achieve superior functionalities. Examples include nitride-based wide bandgap semiconductors and halide perovskite solar cells, with MAPbBr3 being a representation revolutionizing photovoltaics research. Here, we demonstrate magnetoelectric behaviour in quasi-two-dimensional halides (K,Rb)3Mn2Cl7 through simultaneous thermal control of electric and magnetic polarizations by exploiting a polar-to-antipolar displacive transition. Additionally, our calculations indicate a possible polarization switching path including a strong magnetoelectric coupling, indicating halides can be excellent platforms to design future multiferroic and ferroelectric devices. We expect our findings to broaden the exploration of multiferroics to non-oxide materials and open access to novel mechanisms, beyond conventional electric/magnetic control, for coupling ferroic orders.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Crystal growth and optical properties of Ce-doped (La,Y)$_2$Si$_2$O$_7$ single crystal

We have grown Ce-doped (La,Y)$_2$Si$_2$O$_7$ single crystal by micro-pulling-down method and investigated its optical and scintillation properties. We have successfully prepared the single crystal with (Ce$_{0.015}$La$_{0.600}$Y$_{0.385}$)$_2$Si$_2$O$_7$ composition. The observed thermal quenching process could be characterized by the quenching temperature (T50%) of 526 K and its activation energy was determined to be 0.62 eV. Further considering the thermal quenching factors, it was found that the thermal quenching was caused by at least the thermal ionization and maybe also by classical thermal quenching. The light output and scintillation decay time were evaluated to be ~12,000 photons/MeV and ~42 ns, respectively. These results indicate that (Ce$_{0.015}$La$_{0.600}$Y$_{0.385}$)$_2$Si$_2$O$_7$ has a great potential for application in scintillation materials.

physics.optics↗