SNOLAB

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SNOLAB is a Canadian underground physics laboratory under construction at a depth of 2 km in Sudbury, Ontario in Vale Inco's Creighton nickel mine. It currently hosts three experiments:

The original Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) experiment has ended, and the facilities are being converted for the SNO+ follow-on.

A large deep cavity was originally constructed for the SNO experiment, but other experimental groups were interested in the very deep location. In 2002 funding was approved by the Canada Foundation for Innovation to expand the SNO facilities into a general-purpose laboratory,[1] and more funding was received in 2007[2] and 2008.[3]

As of January 2008, phase 1 (the first expansion of the original SNO) excavation has been completed, and the new underground lab space is being outfitted. Phase 2 excavation is almost complete and the walls are being concreted.[4]

While some experiments are using the existing SNO space, phase 1 occupancy is expected in 2Q 2008.[5]

SNOLAB is the world's deepest underground lab facility; the deeper Kolar Gold Fields experiments ended with the closing of the mine in 1992[6], and the planned DUSEL laboratory is not expected to begin construction before 2012.[7]

Although accessed though a dirty commercial mine, the laboratory proper is maintained as a class-2000 cleanroom, with very low levels of dust and background radiation. The 6800 ft (2070 m) overburden of rock provides 6010 metres of water equivalent (MWE) shielding from cosmic rays, providing a low-background environment for experiments requiring high sensitivities and extremely low counting rates. In the field of dark matter search the DEAP and CDMS projects want to move their experiments to SNOLAB along with PICASSO. In the field of neutrino physics the SNO+ collaboration is re-using the existing SNO infrastructure. The proposed EXO experiment for neutrinoless double beta decay is also a candidate to be housed in Snolab.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Canada Foundation for Innovation (2002-06-20). "Canada selects 9 projects to lead in international research". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-09-21.
  2. ^ Carleton University (2007-08-21). "Province Supports Expansion of World's Deepest Lab Administered by Carleton University". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-09-21.
  3. ^ SNOLAB (2008-01-18). "New Funding will Support Underground Lab Operations as SNOLAB nears Completion". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
  4. ^ SNOLAB Update (18 January 2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
  5. ^ SNOLAB Status and Schedule 22–12 August 2007
  6. ^ Naba K. Mondal (January 2004). "Status of India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO)". Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 70 (1): 71–77. 
  7. ^ Welcome to deep science, South Dakota Science and Technology Authority, <http://sanfordlaboratoryathomestake.org/?p=24>. Retrieved on 13 April 2008 . "DUSEL construction, which likely could not begin until fiscal 2012, will need the final approval of the NSF, the National Science Board, Congress and the White House."

[edit] External links

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