The mission of the CROSS Neutron Science and Technology Center is to advance scientific research by promoting the use of seven public beamlines installed in the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) at J-PARC.
This section explains the relationship between each facility and CROSS.
J-PARC is a world-class high-intensity proton accelerator facility jointly constructed and operated by JAEA (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) and KEK (High Energy Accelerator Research Organization). It serves as a hub for cutting-edge research using particles such as those found in elementary particles and atomic nuclei.
The J-PARC site is vast and includes a variety of experimental facilities that utilize proton accelerators, such as the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF), the Hadron Experimental Facility, and the Neutrino Experimental Facility.
Among the experimental facilities within the J-PARC site, the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) houses a large number of beamlines for experiments using neutrons and muons (see Fig. 1).
Out of the 21 neutron beamlines at the MLF, CROSS is responsible for 7 public beamlines, managing the call for research proposals, proposal selection, and user support.
JAEAは、日本の原子力研究を推進する機関であり、J-PARCの共同設立者の一つです。JAEAは、J-PARC内で特に「物質・生命科学実験施設（MLF）」の運営を担当しており、この施設を通じて、物質や生命科学に関連する研究を行っています。
KEKは、日本の高エネルギー物理学研究を担う機関です。JAEAと共にJ-PARCを運営しており、主に加速器の運用や技術開発を担当しています。KEKの役割は、J-PARC全体の技術基盤を支え、さまざまな実験を可能にしています。
J-PARCは茨城県に位置しており、茨城県は地元自治体として重要な役割を果たしています。特に、茨城県はJ-PARC MLF内の2つのビームライン（BL03とBL20）を所有しており、地域の産業や研究機関と連携してこれらのビームラインを活用しています。
CROSS is a general incorporated foundation designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as a Registered Institution for the promotion of facility utilization. It is responsible for promoting the use of seven public beamlines installed within the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) at J-PARC, carrying out both user selection and user support activities.
Specifically, CROSS ensures fair selection of beamline users, provides information necessary for conducting research at the facility, offers experimental support and consultation, and works to expand the use of the beamlines. In addition, CROSS supports user safety at MLF, helping researchers from universities, companies, and research institutes to conduct their experiments with confidence and peace of mind.
