Department of Physics, Syracuse University
The excavation of the DUNE Far Detector caverns was recently completed in South Dakota, which is a huge step for the experiment. Syracuse University did a nice write-up about this milestone, with a bit of local context, which you can read at: https://artsandsciences.syracuse.edu/news-all/news-2024/mining-for-neutrino-answers/
They also made a really cool video!
The 4 modules that make up the DUNE 2×2 prototype are now installed in their cryostat in the NuMI tunnel. Tom and Luis were both involved in this effort, along with many other DUNE collaborators. See the write-up below from Fermilab about this milestone, and notice Tom in the picture with the orange hard-hat carefully guiding the detectors home!
Prototype for DUNE detector will test new technology that can handle more neutrinos
Yesterday (Monday, Oct. 16), all 4 modules for the DUNE “2×2” detector were lowered into the NuMI tunnel, and will soon be installed in their cryostat. This is a big step towards its eventual physics run in the NuMI beam. Congrats to the whole DUNE ND-LAr team who had a hand in getting to this point, including our own Tom Murphy who has been on site and helping to prepare for this day! Some more photos below, including Tom in hardhat in one:
At least one of us here at SU had deja vu from a similar experience with ArgoNeuT way back in January 2009:
Early this month the SBND TPC was moved across the site at Fermilab and into its home. Many Syracuse group members, past and present, have been involved in getting the experiment to this point, so this was an exciting event. Check out the cool video that Fermilab produced showing the move.
The first coupled SBND APAs are now vertical in the D0 Assembly building! Ohana and Monica have been involved in this work happening at Fermilab.
A Fermilab article goes into more detail, including a quote from Monica:
Scientists assemble final detector of Fermilab’s Short-Baseline Neutrino Program
Speaking of Monica, as of October she has moved to a Guest Scientist position at Fermilab. Congratulations! We’ll miss her being a Syracuse postdoc, but are super excited that she’ll continue her work on SBND as a Fermilab scientist!