liquid argon

In its quest to understand why matter exists, the flagship neutrino experiment hosted by Fermilab is constructing an enormous next-generation liquid argon-based detector a mile underground. The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment is building on the successes of previous liquid argon experiments, promising measurements of unprecedented precision over a wide range of energies that will bring significant new insights into the nature of the universe.

Particle physics experiments use detectors that are intricate, sophisticated devices for learning about the origins and composition of the universe. The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment is designed to tackle one of physics’ biggest mysteries — matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe — by studying neutrinos. Production of Anode Plane Assemblies, detector components that will allow DUNE to achieve exquisite measurement precision, requires skilled technicians, a cleverly designed machine and an incredible attention to detail.

Fermilab directors and technicians were at Unicamp recently as part of the technical visit schedule of the research program for neutrino identification called LBNF/DUNE. The Brazilian team is developing the technology for photodetection of the light generated by the particle detectors and the production of highly pure liquid argon.

Brazil is a leading collaborator in the development of innovative technologies for the DUNE experiment. The State University of Campinas (Unicamp) is developing technologies for the liquid argon purification process and the X-Arapuca light detector.

The 2×2 detector has captured its first neutrino interactions at Fermilab with help from scientists at SLAC. The prototype neutrino detector will help fine-tune a full-size version of the DUNE Near Detector Liquid Argon detector and will capture up to 10,000 neutrino interactions per day.

Fermilab scientists have taken a major step in preparing for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment with a prototype particle accelerator. The 2×2 detector prototype has four liquid argon modules arranged in a square whereas the DUNE detectors will have 35 liquid argon time projection chambers, allowing scientists to track the movements of particles and determine their physical properties.

Physicists use large particle detectors filled with liquid argon to study neutrinos. Brazilian scientists discovered that a commercially available material can significantly reduce the amount of nitrogen in liquid argon, which improves the detection of neutrino interactions.

The award recognizes Marco Del Tutto for his work that enhances the capabilities of the Short Baseline Near Detector, the first stage of data collection along the Short-Baseline Neutrino experiment.

The cryogenic plant, to be installed a mile underground, will provide the cooling for two large liquid-argon neutrino detectors for the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment.

While studying at the University of Manchester, Green analyzed data from a liquid argon neutrino detector at Fermilab, developing new techniques to identify muons that would hint at new particles.