Method for evaluating structure used for nuclide transmutation reaction, evaluation device, structure manufacturing device provided with same, and nuclide transmutation system

An evaluation device for a structure to be used for nuclide transmutation reaction, the structure including a base material containing at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of hydrogen storage metals and hydrogen storage alloys, an intermediate layer provided on the base material and stacked alternately with a first layer containing low work function substances relatively lower in work function than the metal and a second layer containing the metal, and a surface layer provided on the intermediate layer and containing the metal, wherein the device comprises:

• a structure support means that supports the structure;
• a temperature holding means that holds the temperature of the structure at a predetermined temperature;
• and
• a measurement means that measures a change in polarization between incident light and reflected light by irradiating the surface layer with light,
• wherein the device is configured to
• calculate an extinction coefficient based on the change in polarization of the structure measured by the measurement means,
• preliminarily set a threshold of the extinction coefficient based on a relationship between an extinction coefficient of a structure prepared in advance and a reaction yield obtained when the structure prepared in advance is subjected to the nuclide transmutation reaction, and
• compare the calculated extinction coefficient with the threshold and subject the structure to nuclide transmutation reaction when the extinction coefficient meets the threshold, and remove the surface layer when the extinction coefficient does not meet the threshold;
• wherein the measurement means is a spectroscopic ellipsometer.

A nuclide transmutation system comprising:

• a structure support means that supports a structure to be used for nuclide transmutation reaction, the structure including a base material containing at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of hydrogen storage metals and hydrogen storage alloys, an intermediate layer provided on the base material and stacked alternately with a first layer containing low work function substances relatively lower in work function than the metal and a second layer containing the metal, and a surface layer provided on the intermediate layer and containing the metal;
• a temperature holding means that holds the temperature of the structure at a predetermined temperature;
• a measurement means that measures a change in polarization between incident light and reflected light by irradiating the surface layer with light;
• a reactor in which the structure is disposed, and that carries out the nuclide transmutation reaction using the structure and electrodeposition on the structure from which the surface layer has been removed;
• an inert gas supply means that supplies an inert gas to the reactor;
• an exhaust means that exhausts an interior of the reactor;
• an electrodeposition solution supply unit that supplies an electrodeposition solution containing a nuclide transmutation substance and the metal to the reactor;
• a cleaning water supply unit that supplies cleaning water to the reactor;
• and
• an acid solution supply unit that supplies an acid solution to the reactor,
• wherein the system is configured to
• calculate an extinction coefficient based on the change in polarization of the structure measured by the measurement means,
• preliminarily set a threshold of the extinction coefficient based on a relationship between an extinction coefficient of a structure prepared in advance and a reaction yield obtained when the structure prepared in advance is subjected to the nuclide transmutation reaction, and
• compare the calculated extinction coefficient with the threshold and subject the structure to nuclide transmutation reaction when the extinction coefficient meets the threshold, and remove the surface layer when the extinction coefficient does not meet the threshold;
• wherein the measurement means is a spectroscopic ellipsometer.