LBNF/DUNE

The New York Times reports on LBNF/DUNE. When DUNE operations begin, the research results could a major gap in scientists’ understanding of the universe and return the United States to its former position at the center of particle physics.

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory announced Jim Kerby as project director for Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (LBNF/DUNE-US) He will be responsible for managing all aspects of the project in the U.S. as Fermilab leads the execution of the largest international DOE project ever hosted on U.S. soil.

The Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center in Lead, SD has a new centerpiece. A towering three-dimensional model that includes the Open Cut and 370 miles of drifts, ramps, and shafts that make up the Sanford Underground Research Facility was made to convey the giant caverns at SURF for the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility / Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment.

As excavation work wraps up in South Dakota, site work at Fermilab’s Batavia campus is setting the stage for the next phase of the international DUNE collaboration.

As excavation of the underground facilities for DUNE nears completion, crews are now working on laying concrete floors and spraying shotcrete on the walls of the caverns. The next priority is to prepare the south cavern for cryostat erection by installing sprinklers, fire alarms, an elevator, and overhead cranes

Rigging crews at SURF are performing a series of tests using a large wooden model L-beam built to the same scale as one of the huge steel components that arrived in South Dakota in January after being shipped from Spain. The tests are being done in anticipation of lowering the real thing down the shaft to the underground 4850 level.

Fermilab looking for Lead area and southwest SD people who would like to join the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility/Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment team. There are a series of hiring events planned to meet with those interested in being part of DUNE including the Lead Employment Expo, which will be held at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor’s Center on April 16.

KOTA-TV of Rapid City, South Dakota speaks with Fermilab’s Mike Gemelli and Steve Brice on the completion of the cavern excavation and the outfitting work ahead to prepare the DUNE detectors for installation.

Earlier this month, Fermilab announced crews completed excavation work for the massive caverns that comprise the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility, which is being constructed to house the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment.

The completion of cavern excavation almost a mile underground for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment now clears the path for preparation for the two neutrino detectors.